Ascertainment of Contents in Soft Drinks and their Impact on Health

Abstract

The purpose of the project was to determine the content of soft drinks and their impacts on health. Soft drinks are very popular and highly noticeable around the world and all soft drinks contains different contents such as sugar, alcohol, phosphoric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, alkaloids, heavy metals like lead, and carbon dioxide. Consumption of soft drinks in large quantities has raised serious questions about their effects on health and play a major role in a variety of diseases like diabetes, dental and bone disorders and others which are more among in youth. So the examination is required by the way that the excessive use of soft drinks in daily life means large number of diseases due to their, only detrimental ingredients. In this paper we checked the effect of soft drinks consumption in high quantity on health of the people, since mostly people drinks soft drinks for refreshment, taste, color etc. The methodology adopted for this study is quantitatively, the project used experimental methods in comparative and qualitative study and determine different contents of soft drinks based on their presences and absences. The contents such as sugar (glucose and sucrose), alcohol,alkaloids,carbon dioxide and their pH values have been analyzed through the use of different reagents and apparatus. Also the project used questionnaires and interview methods to evaluate the knowledge, practice and awareness of taking soft drinks in the society and examined the association between soft drinks content and human health. It consulting people of almost all age groups in our area, who consuming soft drinks with a structured questionnaire. The data has been collected by using convenient sampling technique, analyzed and interpreted by the help of the graphical representation technique and statistical package for social science, the association between soft drinks and human health was checked by using Chi-square test. The project provided a comprehensive study of the impact of soft drinks on health as well as to suggest alternatives for a healthy life style.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

Soft drinks are water based flavored drinks usually added with carbon dioxide, nutritive, non-nutritive and intense sweeteners with other permitted food additives.  Soft drink market is expanding day to day due to continue focus of user’s demands and functionality.

The era of soft drinks began in 1952, in the development of fruit flavored drinks in the medieval Middle East. In Tanzania the era of soft drinks began only in 1960s and marked the launched of multinational companies brands such as Coca-Cola companies, sayona drinks ltd, Azam and MO brands. These brands produce different soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, energy drinks, novida, 7up and more others. Soft drinks are classified into carbonated and non-carbonated drinks on the basis of their composition. Carbonated soft drinks are some of the most consumed beverage types; these soft drinks are nonalcoholic beverages that typically contain water, sugar, and flavored agents. For marketing, soft drinks are the fast moving goods. Soft drinks are consumed for various reasons and in various occasions by consumers based on various aspects like price, convenience and social status.

Peoples consume soft drink to give them refreshing feelings and others consume soft drinks for believe that soft drinks like energy drink activate brain. Although soft drinks are very popular around the world, their consumption in large quantities has raised serious questions about their impacts on human health due to presence  of contents like  heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, sugar, alkaloids like narcotics alkaloid and caffeine. Through project we wanted to confirm whether the charge imposed to those brands of soft drinks are true or not.

Soft drinks have become a necessary part of our daily lives, no meal is considered complete without these soft drinks. However there are rumors or complains concerning the amount of contents of soft drinks that they do contain harmful materials such as sugar, phosphoric acids, heavy metals, alkaloids, and alcohol. Thereby our project aim to find whether these rumors are true or not and providing solutions to the society on the proper consumption of soft drinks and identifying both nutritive and harmful contents found in soft drinks of different brands  such as coca cola, novida, 7up, and energy drinks (azam and MO energies).

It helps us to come up with new knowledge of comparative and qualitative analysis. This can be through performing different experiments on determining and analyzing contents that may be presents in different soft drinks.

Helps to know the harmful materials that may be present in different soft drinks which may either leads to weight gain, bone damage, kidney failure, heart disorders, liver and brain damage; this can helps consumers to avoid the use of soft drinks with higher contents of these harmful materials.

Helps to know useful/ nutritional materials that may be present in different soft drink; Knowing nutritional materials that may be present in soft drinks can make easy advising on the use and requirement of a certain drink.

Also findings of this study can helps to open the new gap ways for future research on the link between contents in soft drinks and their impacts on human health as well as to bring about human health friendly ingredients of soft drinks through modification of soft drinks products

According to Karishma, .Surekha & Shahinaz B (2018) on their project titled "Soft drinks content and their health impact". They identified different harmful Contents found in soft drinks, such as sugar, caffeine,phosphate, caramel color, bis-phenol, and trace of alcohol.Sugar, Soft drinks are loaded with high amounts of sugar, which can lead to weight gain, obesity, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Excessive sugar intake also puts a strain on the liver and can contribute to chronic diseases such as heart dis well-being.Caffeine, carbonated drink is more readily absorbed than any other drink (like coffee, chocolate etc.). Caffeine disturbs sleep by stimulating nervous system.

Different disease arose due to higher consumption of soft drinks,this are kidney stones, cardiovascular disease, obesity, weight gain etc. According to Malick A.  (2019) the author discuss the potential negative effects of consuming soft drinks on various aspects of human health, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dental health, and bone health. They also explore the underlying mechanisms by which soft drinks may contribute to these health problems, such as their high sugar content, artificial sweeteners, and additives. According to Forshee R. (2004),This study systematically the study focused on the association between soft drink consumption and obesity. The authors found a positive relationship between the two, with a consistent pattern across different study designs and populations. They highlight the potential role of excess energy intake from soft drinks, low satiety, and displacement of more nutritious beverages in contributing to obesity.

There is a link between soft drink consumption and various health outcomes, according to Lenny.R, Schwartz .M & Brownell.K(2006)on their journal titled “effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition and health” they examined different health outcomes based on consumption of soft drinks, such as the relationship between soft drinks and body weight were the research evaluated that consumption of soft drinks in high amount people’s risk of being overweight or obese.

Soft Drink Consumption and Risk of Developing Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease: according to Ravi D, Sullivan. L & Vasan. S, (2007), This meta-analysis examined the association between soft drink consumption and the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The authors found a significant positive relationship between soft drink consumption and these health outcomes , in middle aged adults, soft drink consumption is associated with a higher prevalence and incidence of multiple metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. They emphasize the adverse effects of added sugars, artificial sweeteners, and accompanying unhealthy lifestyle behaviors related to soft drink consumption.

II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND METHODS

A. Methodology

Soft drinks of different brands are composed of different contents/ingredients such as alcohol, sugar, heavy metals, phosphoric acidic, citric acid, malic acid, caffeine, carbon dioxide etc. The study used experimental method, Questionnaire method, and Interview method to analyses the presence of these contents in soft drinks.

1. Questionnaire Method: The project looks on contents of soft drinks and their health impact, from this we conducted open and closed questionnaire at mbezi stand luguruni and kwembe areas .The questionnaires finds awareness of soft drinks users on the effect high consumption of soft drinks and the rate of soft drinks consumption.
2. Interview Method: The study, used interview method for asking open ended questions  to converse with respondents for collect elicit data. Also the study used interview method for the respondents who are unable to read a set of prepared questionnaires.
3. Experimental Method: Involves testing and qualitative analysis of contents that found in different soft drinks through the use of different soft drink samples, different reagents and apparatus. This method was done in the laboratory through a series of different experiments and titrations.

B. Apparatus used

1. PH Meter and PH paper
2. Test tube
3. Test tube holder
4. Measuring cylinder
5. Stop watch
6. Beaker
7. Water bath
8. Tripod stand
9. Burette
10. Dropper
11. Gas jar
12. Evaporating dishes

C. Chemicals and reagent used

Iodine solution

1. Potassium iodine
2. Sodium hydroxide
3. Mayer’s reagent
4. Lime water
5. Benedict solution
6. Fehling’s solution
7. Hydrogen sulphide gas
8. Hydrochloric acid
9. Potassium chlorate
10. Ammonium hydroxide

• Interpretation: From the provided evidence all the critical values are less than the chi square value (CV<X2). If the chi square value is large than the critical value, then we reject the null hypothesis (HO) and the alternative hypothesis (HA) considered. Therefore, there is association between choices of soft drinks and why do you drink soft drinks.

???????B. Discussion

The research aimed to determine contents of soft drinks and their impact on health this was done through different experimental method which gives positive results of glucose, alcohol,alkaloids, lead, cadmium,  PH,  Carbon dioxide and sucrose which are the main contents found in soft drinks. Also the survey was conducted through questionnaire method based on 60 respondents, figure 1 and table1 show that among 60 respondents on whom survey was conducted   50% are female and 50% are male . Among 60 respondents 53.33% are of age range from 18 to 25 as shown in figure 2 and table 2. This implicates that the surveyed age range (18-25) are good consumers of soft drinks in large percentage.

From the survey, it was found that among 60 respondents 70% of respondents likes soft drinks and 30% of the respondents do not like soft drinks, table 5 and figure 5 shows how soft drinks attracting people by their taste, flavour, colour, stimulation, affordability, and smell. The results of the survey showed that 13.33% of the respondents among 60 preferred azam energy drink, 10% of the respondents among 60 preferred MO Xtra, 30% of the respondents among 60 preferred Novida, 18.33% of the respondents among 60 preferred 7UP,20%  of the respondents preferred coca cola and 8.33% preferred other soft drinks,(figure 4 & table 4).

When the frequency of consumption of soft drinks was studied among 60 respondents, the results showed that 30% of the people consumes soft drinks per day, 53.33% consumes soft drinks per week while, only 16.67% of the respondents take in soft drink per month. The results indicate that large number of people consume soft drinks per week (table 6 & figure 6).

Based on consumption of soft drinks in a week, the survey showed that 10% of respondent take in soft drinks daily in a week, 16.67% of the respondents take in soft drinks 2 to 4 times, 5% of the respondents among 60 take in soft drinks more than 4 times in a week,  38.33% of the respondents take in soft drinks once in a week and only 30% of the respondents are other takers of soft drinks out of a week (figure 7 & table 7).This results implies that, large percentage of respondents take in soft drinks once in a week and surprising to know that nobody is there among the respondents who do not like soft drinks.

On studying the awareness of soft drinks takers on health problems due to soft drinks, table 8 and figure 8 of the surveyed respondents,   46.67% of the respondents are aware of the health problem due to soft drinks and 53.33% are not aware about the health problems due to much consumption of soft drinks. Therefore this research is more important so as to makes people aware on health problems like kidney problem, heart problem, bones problem, diabetes, weight gain and teeth decay as the mainly health problem arose due to soft drinks.

Also table 9 and figure 9 show that among 60 respondents 26.67% will takes action on reduce consumption of soft drinks, 16.67% of the respondents said that they will use alternative drinks like water and fresh fruits juice so as to reduce the health problems due to soft drinks while 53.33% of the people skipped the question since they are not aware of the health problems due to soft drinks. Therefore the majority of the respondents are not aware about the health problems due to soft drinks.

According to the results of the survey presented in figure 10 and table 10, 91.67% of the respondents thinks that this questionnaires are useful to them and 8.33% of the respondents thinks that some more questions should be added.

C. Results

After conducting several tests, it was concluded that different brands of soft drinks namely azam energy, mo xtra, novida, coca cola and 7 up.

All soft drinks found to be contained with glucose, phosphate, sucrose, alcohol trace, carbon dioxide, lead, cadmium, caffeine, narcotics alkaloids. All are acidic in nature, on comparing the pH value of different brand coca cola is the most acidic soft drink (pH = 2.3) while azam energy is the least acidic soft drink with pH value of 4.4. pH value of coca cola is nearly equal to disinfectant which is harmful for the body. Among the five samples of soft drinks taken azam energy has a maximum amount of dissolved carbon dioxide gas and 7UP has a minimum amount of dissolved carbon dioxide.

Consumption of soft drinks in high quantities, results to major diseases like obesity, tooth corrosion, bone loss, kidney and liver disease and gastro intestinal disease, this results as in large consumption of soft drinks contents.

1. Phosphoric Acid: soft drinks contain phosphoric acid which has a PH value of 2.8,  phosphoric acid interferes with the body’s ability to use calcium(bone loss), possibly leading to the weakness of teeth and works to neutralize hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thus interfering with proper digestion of nutrients in food.
2. Sugar: high glucose consumption rapidly will elevates blood glucose and insulin. This may cause type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. All sugars has more calories calories and can cause people to gain weight which leads to obesity. High consumption of soft drinks can lead to tooth decay due to presences of high concentration carbohydrates and simple sugars. When high amounts of sugar enter into the stomach, pancreas, have to produce more insulin, which sends more fat to fatty cells, muscles cells, liver, which leads to different liver diseases.
3. Carbon Dioxide: The gas used to make soda bubbly is the same poison we eject out of our bodies through our lungs. This gas is great for plants but it is bad news for human beings.
4. Caffeine:  caffeine disturbs sleep by stimulating nervous system, it makes premenstrual syndrome worse, causes dehydration and induces stomach to produce acids aggravating hyper-acidity and causes insomnia, irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure.
5. Acidic Value/ PH Value: The PH of soft drinks range from 2.2-4.0 which generates a highly acidic environment in the stomach upon consumption. The PH levels are due to presences of carbon dioxide and phosphoric acid which makes the drink highly acidic and can led an effect on gastro-intestinal system. Also the higher acidic nature can led to tooth enamel, phosphoric acid oxidize or corrodes the tooth covering by lowering the bone density.
6. Cadmium and Lead: These are heavy metals found in some of tested soft drinks, cadmium is a heavy metal whose long term of accumulation may lead to cancer since it is a carcinogenic element. Also, over a long intake of soft drinks with cadmium may accumulate in the kidney and liver and cause liver and kidney problems, while lead can lead to the damage of the brain and nervous system as well as kidney problem.

Some soft drinks such as coca cola and Novida tested and found to be contained with Narcotic alkaloids like  morphine, cocaine, etc. which gives a positive test with Meyer's reagents. The narcotics alkaloids associates with psychoactive compound with numbing or paralyzing properties. Other effects include mental fog, nausea and constipation.

Conclusion

A. Conclusion Soft drinks are among the most commonly adopted drink around the world, owing to their great taste. Results from this study show that, soft drinks contains contents such as sugar, heavy metals, alkaloids, carbon dioxide, citric acid, malic acid, alcohol trace and phosphates. Everything has two aspects, positive or negative, Soft drinks have also positive as well as negative effects on health, soft drinks can hydrate the body, they are eases digestion and prevents stomach pain, it provide a slight caffeine boost that can be healthy in moderation of brain. Despite of those positive effects, soft drinks have negative effects on their excessive consumption and this arose a questions on human health, analysis of this study shows that large percentage of people of age range of 18-35 consumes the soft drinks more than once in a week ,they takes soft drinks for refreshment, taste preference for price and others for thinking that they are energize their bodies, the consumption was based on their choice of a drink which they like without any awareness of health effect caused by high consumption of soft drinks. The excessive use of soft drinks in daily life not only destroys physical health but also associated with disease such as liver damage, kidney failure, obesity, diabetes, teeth decay etc.so consumers requires further education on consumption amount of soft drinks and their potential effects on their health. B. Recommendations It can be difficult to kick the habit of drinking soft drinks every day but, it can be easier when there are alternatives to replace with natural drinks such as natural fruit juices, milk and water. Also people can use honey instead of sugar on their homemade smoothie drinks to make them healthier and reduced the risk of obesity, tooth decay, heart diseases and diabetes. For health purpose, we recommend that people should reduce consumption of soft drinks by either taking one bottle of a drink than take more every day, since some respondents especially adults took three to four energy drinks. Parents can help their children, learn to enjoy water as the thirst quencher of choice. Also provided them with a variety of low-fat milks and fruit juices that are high in nutrients values than sugary soft drinks. Schools can advocates for healthful environments that are consistent with classroom nutrition education and teacher being role models should advice students on taking healthy beverage choices such as natural fruit juices etc. We would like to suggest the government to continue do frequent quality check at industry level, in order to increases the quality and definite standards of various soft drinks during the production. In summary, all stake holders including the soft drink companies, governments, parents and teachers should all play a concerted and critical role towards solving the health problems related to soft drinks consumption with the sole aim of “prevention is better than cure”

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Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Murugan Thirumalai, Haghai Sebastian, Joshua P Yared, Mussa R Juma, Samwel R John, Ezekiel G Luhende, Daud P Herman, Kalidoss Rajendran. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.