Are you aware that benzene is one of the toxins in your drink? Apart from large amounts of carbon-di-oxide (fizz) and the excessive sugar content that can lead to tooth decay, benzene is the new villain (toxin) in your soda.

Benzene is a carcinogen with a sweet smell. The chemical is found in the atmosphere where there is high concentrations of chemical pollutants. Benzene has been discovered in soft drinks by medical practitioners and researchers igniting a whole new series of medical and health concerns.

The food board in Australia has confirmed the presence of toxin in your drink. Benzene gets formed in your drink when ascorbic acid in it reacts with food additives. Heat and light are believed to affect formation of toxin in your drink by speeding up benzene formation in warm conditions. The only solace so far is that the benzene formed is very less and as of now, only in negligible amounts. The food board assured consumers that they would have to down a minimum of 20 liters of soft drink in order to accumulate substantial amount of benzene in blood and hence there is no need for panic.

There are steps being taken in conjunction with manufacturers to come up with ways to reduce formation of toxin in your drink. But there is a section of people, who claim that the amount of benzene is now high enough to be detected and hence significant. Presence of toxin in your drink in the form of benzene can harm children by way of stunted mental growth or under developed physical faculties. Toxicologist, Kathy Hughes feels that benzene formation due to harmless substances like ascorbic acid and food additives is alarming and processed food where in these substances are used in larger proportions need to be screened for benzene formation in higher concentrations.

It is best to stick to natural products and avoid processed drinks and food if you don't want toxin in your drink. Manufacturers and consumers should be aware of such health hazards and keep safety as their top priority.

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