| Believe it or not, in 2004, realizing that the | | | | sodium benzoate which can cause cell damage. |
| pesticide levels in their Coke and Pepsi products | | | | Phosphates, which are also found in many sodas |
| were so high in pesticides, Indian farmers who | | | | can contribute to higher rates of osteoporosis as |
| couldn't afford conventional pesticides and | | | | well. |
| herbicides started to spray their cotton and chilli | | | | An occasional drink of conventional soda won't kill |
| crops with these soft drinks instead! That's | | | | you, but you can make better choices for your |
| because the Indian Centre for Science and | | | | health by opting for organic and natural sodas. |
| Environment (CSE) had released reports that | | | | These alternatives will use things like cane sugar, |
| Coca-Cola and Pepsi products contained unsafe | | | | fruit juices, and tantaric acid from grapes to |
| levels of insecticides and pesticides, including | | | | replace other not-so-healthy ingredients. PepsiCo |
| lindane, DDT, chlorpyrifos, and malathion. The | | | | now produces Pepsi Raw (limited availability) and |
| report detailed possible health problems associated | | | | others are venturing into natural sodas (check |
| with drinking these beverages, including nervous, | | | | labels for confirmation of claims!). |
| immune, and reproductive system disorders, birth | | | | If your family can't live without a fizzy drink now |
| defects, and even cancer. | | | | and then, consider making your own so that you |
| What followed was an uprising by consumers as | | | | can ensure you know what's going into it. |
| they engaged in "smash-the-bottle" campaigns. | | | | Soda-Club Fountain Jet makes a Home Soda |
| Some states even banned the sale of these | | | | Maker that is not only healthier for you, it will |
| products either completely or partially throughout | | | | save you some money and cut your waste by |
| their regions. Although the two giant soft drink | | | | 90 percent (you fill reusable bottles instead of |
| companies are fighting back, many people in India | | | | disposable cans and bottles). Plus, you can make |
| continue to choose other drinks. | | | | your own custom-designed sodas, which makes |
| While similar problems have not been documented | | | | the process a whole lot of fun! Just be sure to |
| in North America, the health problems associated | | | | pick up natural flavorings and sweeteners. Happy |
| with too much soda are well-documented. Sugary | | | | sipping! |
| drinks like soda pop have been linked to obesity, | | | | Finally..Stressing the importance of eating organic |
| diabetes, as well as gum and tooth disease, due in | | | | food goes well beyond potatoes and oranges. The |
| large part to the high concentration of high | | | | health benefits and environmental upsides of |
| fructose corn syrup they commonly use. | | | | organic food can also be found in things like fizzy |
| Additionally, soda contains a substance called | | | | sodas and tasty beverages. |