Keep in mind that this concern is only a possibility if both of the two ingredients (sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid) are present - and even then, it's just a possibility until proven or disproven by individual tests.
Indeed it is possible that the same problem of benzene formation may also occur in other acidic liquid food products where sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid are present � such as lemon juice, conserves or sprays for meats.
Harry, I use liquid vitamins (put 'em in my smoothie), so I dragged out the bottles of liquid vitamins that I use: two brands purchased at a fitness club and two brands purchased at Costco.
Sure enough, the Costco brands contain sodium benzoate AND ascorbic acid.
I'm certain that, when presented with the article you posted, Costco will refund my money.
It's actually very common to find these ingredients in liquid supplements as they extend the shelf-life of the product and are very cheap.
If you have trouble finding a liquid supplement that meets your needs, you may wish to consider a powdered supplement. Powdered supplements are just as soluble, when in solution, and do not require any preservative or stabilizers.
For what it's worth, I wonder what effect being in a liquid state has on nutrients. Do they degrade over time for instance? Also, liquid vitamins are generally lower potency and more expensive. It's just more expensive to ship a bottle that's 90% water than a bottle that's a lighter powder.
It's probably more expensive and I doubt it takes very well but I think the LEF formula is probably far superior to any liquid multi-nutrient that's out there.
BTW, if you're not a LEF member, search around the 'net to see what kind of a discount you can find on their products. LEF members get 25% off retail but non-members do not ... unless you buy from another online store that carries their products (like Papanature.com, etc.).
What do you put into your smoothies - besides the nutrients? I'm always looking for easy, nutritious meals/snacks.
You asked about smoothies, and I just have to say that no matter what ingredients you put in a smoothie, coconut cream is an absolute must! I bought some from www.mercola.com and it is much better than the coconut oil. I also add fruit, protein powder, and yoghurt. The coconut oil doesn't blend well at all, but the cream actually makes it more like whipped cream. Yummm!
Sally, I use coconut milk, (low fat) it is organic and comes in a can.
Harry, talking about benzene. it IS in diet coke, but I am so so hooked on this, that I am still drinking a bottle now and then, especially when I am stressed. It is my 'cigarette'.
Hope I will get some sense into my head and stop this distructive behavior, lucky for me I can blame any stupid thing I do on menopause, I have a few years I can milk the hormone imbalance excuse, why not use it
I wonder though if it is contributing to the urethral syndrome symptoms I am experiencing after my hysterectomy..
If anybody else drinks diet coke and has similar symptoms can you share please.. thanks so much.
Depending on your particular symptoms, it is quite possible that it is the aspartame in your diet soda which is responsible for your urethral syndrome symptoms. You are not alone. Many others have had the same problem. And yes, as you point out, the aspartame in diet Coke can be addictive.
Mike, thank you so much. When you said, "you are not alone, many others have had your symptoms" I felt so relieved... so there are actual people out there, who have experienced some sort of bladder or urethral symptom after drinking a lot of diet coke... I did suspect it, but I thought I am trying to diagnose myself, which is a habit of mine... this changes so much, I hope I had my last bottle of diet coke this morning... I am more motivated now to fight this addiction.
Why anybody would drink diet coke, or diet anything, is beyond me. Sugar is harmless (if you object to the refining process, use raw sugar), but I'm not all that sure that aspartame is harmless. Too much sugar will make you fat; we all know that. So you can also get used to mineral water.
There is no special advantage to liquid supplements, but some people have trouble taking pills or powders, so they may find liquids more attractive. The liquid stuff breeds bacteria and fungi much easier, so a preservative is needed. Never mind ascorbic acid, but benzoate is something our body doesn't need. So the liver couples the benzoate with the amino acid glycine. The resulting compound is hippuric acid, which is excreted in the urine.
The conversion of benzoic acid to benzene is chemically possible, but only occurs under rather drastic conditions, which are never present in a living human. And I seriously doubt it ever takes place in a bottle of soft drink.
I looked at the link presented by Harry Hirsute. They don't describe how they have determine the benzene content, but I assure you that it is not easy. Spectroscopic methods are out, because the benzene moiety that absorbs UV light also occurs in all benzene derivatives (such as benzoic acid). Besides, free benzene has no chemically reactive groups, so the stuff is hard to determine. Gas chromatography seems one of the few promising methods to me.
So there is still plenty of room for doubts on this issue.
But there really are no advantages to liquid supplements. Better stick to pills and powders.
benzene - liquid supplements
Linear Mode
