Study Finds “Dangerous Levels” of Metals in Many Store-Bought Beverages

According to a study, the sodas, juices, and plant-based milks you buy at the grocery store might just contain toxic metals.
All 60 of the store bought beverages tested by Tulane University scientists in New Orleans, Louisiana, contained toxic metals like arsenic and cadmium.
As it turns out, juices, plant based milks, tea, and sodas were the worst out of the bunch, with 5 registering “dangerous levels.”
Because of worries that the metals in drinks could interfere with children’s brain and organ development, the study’s authors are advising all parents to restrict their kids’ consumption of these beverages as much as possible.
The study’s lead author, an environmental health scientist by the name of Tewodros Godebo, explains that “It was surprising that there are not a lot of studies concerning toxic and essential elements found in soft drinks in the United States. This creates awareness that there needs to be further study. People should avoid giving babies and young children mixed fruit juices or plant based milks at a high volume. Arsenic, lead and also cadmium are known carcinogens and established to cause internal organ damage and even cognitive harm in kids, especially during early brain development.”
A growing body of research demonstrates that microplastics, metal toxins, and other such chemicals may be found in daily foods and beverages, typically as a result of manufacturing-related contamination.
Scientists worry that everyone has been exposed to them and that there may be serious long-term health effects.
Numerous items that could be bought at any grocery store were analyzed by Tulane researchers, who then published their paper in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.
BPA is found in many consumer items even though it’s a chemical utilized in plastics and aluminum.
The 60 goods included 21 sodas or other drinks. 19 of the beverages were mixed fruit juices.
Six organic fruit juices, ten plant-based milks, and four tea items were also featured.
The brands that the researchers used in their purchases are not disclosed, however.
In a laboratory, samples of each beverage were examined to determine the presence of 25 different elements, including lead, potassium, and uranium, to name just a few.
Each of the beverages had evidence of at least one hazardous metal.
However, according to studies, these doses were generally safe.
Dr Godebo explained that “These metals are naturally occurring so it is hard to get rid of completely.”
However, five beverages were classified as harmful. These were discovered to have metal concentrations above what government authorities would permit in drinking water.
There was one each of fruit juice, blended juice, plant-based milk, soda, and tea.
Elevated quantities of boron, cadmium, strontium, selenium and even arsenic were found in the fruit juice and in the mixed juice products.
High quantities of nickel, boron, cadmium, strontium, and arsenic were also present in the milk.
Elevated concentrations of nickel, cadmium, strontium, arsenic, and selenium were found in the soda.
The tea also had significant levels of nickel, boron, cadmium, strontium, arsenic, and selenium.
While consuming these substances in a single drink will most likely not cause considerable harm right away, continued exposure to each chemical poses dangers.
For example, damage to one’s eyes, skin, liver, kidneys, and lungs has been linked to arsenic. It can eventually cause eye loss or cancer in any organ.
After prolonged exposure, strontium is a radioactive substance associated with blood malignancies, including leukemia.
Cadmium damages the lungs, kidneys, and bones and is linked to cancers, organ failure, and a brittle skeleton.
Organ damage to the kidneys, liver and other organs has been linked to boron, manganese, and nickel.
Hannah Stoner, who contributed to the research, stressed that “I don’t think there needs to be fear. In toxicity, it is the dosage that often makes a difference so everything in moderation. But this creates awareness that there needs to be more study.”
Researchers caution that it can be particularly harmful to children.
Early exposure to these metals has been associated with “issues with learning, cognition, and behavior,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.