COLA AFFECTS BONES
Many ill effects of cola are being observed by scientists all around the globe. In Kerala (India), recent studies revealed that cola samples contained significant amount of pesticides. Earlier, cola was reported to lower the bone density in girls. Regular consumption of cola reduces the mineral density of hip bones in women past menopause also, as noticed by the team of Katherine J. Tucker of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Ageing in Boston. This is true in all the middle aged and older women irrespective of their other life style habits like smoking, physical exercise, coffee consumption, alcohol intake, consumption of other soft drinks and coffee and other sources of caffeine or calcium. Those women who consumed cola frequently has lower bone density in their hips than those who consumed non-cola beverages. Even 4-5 % reduction in bone density was noticed in those who drink one daily serving of cola, irrespective of their sweetness or caffeine content. This adverse effect is attributed to the presence of Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) in cola beverages. H3PO4 reacts with calcium in the bones thereby causing the leaching of calcium from bones. Since men generally have more bones than women, they have more calcium to spare. So it is beneficial to take antacid drugs along with cola. Moreover, cola may be consumed along with diet rich in acid buffering food minerals like Calcium (milk products like yoghurt and cheese, tofu, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, kale and calcium fortified juices), Potassium (fruits and vegetables especially leafy greens, vine fruits - tomato, egg plant, cucumber- and root vegetables) and Magnesium (whole grains, leafy greens, nuts and meat). Earlier reports also support the view that food rich in potassium, magnesium, fruits and vegetables protect the bones from leaching of calcium in women as well as men.