I can almost thank my lucky stars, that I've never been much of a soda drinker, in fact, I haven't consumed any in years. First, I find them way too sickeningly sweet, for the regular types. I also never cared for the diet type as I just didn't care for the taste, and in consideration that there are now warnings about the health hazards of the added artificial sweetener, aspartame, I would think anyone would steer clear of diet drinks in general.Now I've come across information, of yet another dangerous additive that is found in the citrus flavored type sodas or drinks, such as Mountain Dew, Fresca, Fanta, and is even found in the power drinks, such as the familiar Gatorade, and that is the additive of Brominated Vegetable Oil or BVO. The real kicker in all this is that BVO has actually been banned in over 100 countries, and even the FDA considers this additive as unsafe, yet, so far, no measures have been taken to ban it's usage here in this country.
Brominated Vegetable Oil, has as it's composition the element of bromine in which, believe it or not, the vapors of bromine are considered both corrosive and toxic...in other words can outrightly be considered a poisonous chemical. The chemical bromine is used for a number of products, from one of the chemicals that treat surfaces for light-sensitive photographic printing papers, as an additive for gasoline, to agricultural fumigants. At one time, bromine was even used to make sedatives, but then the FDA banned its usage around 1975, as it was found to trigger a whole host of psychiatric disorders.
Just why is BVO used in certain drinks? Supposedly, the reason Brominated Vegetable Oil used in citrus type drinks, is to stabilize the citrus oils to prevent them from separating, giving them a more unified appearance. One can always tell that Brominated Vegetable Oil has been added even if one doesn't read the ingredient label, as such drinks will have a rather murky, cloudy look to them, rather than clear. And believe it or not, many drinks containing BVO, do not include it on their labels!
Now of course, the FDA claims that BVO is used in acceptable levels that would do no harm, however, it has been proven that BVO, when consumed is stored in a person's fat cells, thus over time can accumulate. With time, if the average person consumes enough of these beverages that contain BVO, you can just bet, its toxic side effects will start to show up. And what are the side effects? Do you really want to know? Yes, they are that bad.
I've taken the liberty to include the list of the effects of BVO are from the Natural Thyroid Choices Website This websites primarily discusses about the soda Mountain Dew, but it can pertain to any of the drinks that contain BVO in them.
Abdominal cramps
Anxiety
Anorexia
Blurred vision
Coma
Constricted pupils
Convulsions
Cyanosis (skin blueness)
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Heart beat malfunction
Headache
Weakness
Tremors of the tongue and eyelids
Muscular cramps
Nausea
Respiritory difficulty
Salivation
Slow pulse
Sweating
Tearing
Vomiting (1)
Anxiety
Anorexia
Blurred vision
Coma
Constricted pupils
Convulsions
Cyanosis (skin blueness)
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Heart beat malfunction
Headache
Weakness
Tremors of the tongue and eyelids
Muscular cramps
Nausea
Respiritory difficulty
Salivation
Slow pulse
Sweating
Tearing
Vomiting (1)
Other possible side effects I found listed in other sources also includes birth defects, growth problems, memory loss and fatigue (2) & (3)
It actual makes me shudder to think that people are consuming beverages that contain such an additive with so many dangerous side affects. Think for instance, how many people, including children, will drink Gatorade, especially after strenuous physical or sports activity and are under the impression that this is a "wonder" drink to rehydrate and replenish one's body of vitally needed fluids, instead what they are getting is a dose of a toxic chemical.
Thankfully, I just never cared for the taste of Mountain Dew, and only once tried Gatorade and completely hated the taste. I'd much rather drink pure juices or even just plain water. I'm hoping that enough people will put pressure on the FDA to completely ban the use of BVO in any beverage, just as it's been banned in over 100 countries. Isn't our health worth it?
Information About Brominated Vegetable Oil
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brominated_vegetable_oil
http://fooddemocracy.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/the-dirty-dozen-12-foodsfood-additives-to-avoid-and-why/
http://www.vitalearth.org/dangerous_food_additives.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromine
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/1999/jul/29/what-brominated-vegetable-oil-and-why-do-soda-comp/(2)
http://www.naturalthyroidchoices.com/mountain%20dew.html (1)
http://www.healthyeatingadvisor.com/food-labels.html(3)
Bromide as anti Thyroid Gland Recptors
iodine is an essential cancer fighter; science tells us that another substance competes with iodine for the thyroid gland's receptors. This substance is known as bromide.
Bromide is an endocrine disruptor. The endocrine system is a collection of glands and organs that produce and regulate hormones in the bloodstream to control many functions of the body. This system overlaps with the nervous and exocrine system, and its responsibilities include metabolism, growth, and sexual development.
When bromide activates the majority of the thyroid gland's receptors, effectively nullifying iodine, hypothyroidism results.
Bromide is found in many different forms. In the state of California, methyl bromide is used as a pesticide on strawberries. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) is added to citrus drinks to help suspend the flavoring in the liquid. Potassium Bromate is a dough conditioner found in commercial bakery products and some flours.
Bromine is also found in soft drinks like Mountain Dew and Gatorade and medications such as Atrovent Inhaler, Atrovent Nasal Spray, Pro-Banthine (for ulcers), and anesthesia agents. It is used as a flame retardant in fabrics, carpets, mattresses, and upholstery.
When any form of bromine is absorbed through the skin or consumed, it displaces iodine. This leads to an increased risk of developing prostate, thyroid gland, ovary, and breast cancers. This phenomenon has been called the Bromide Dominance Theory.
In addition to being an endocrine disruptor, bromine can accumulate in the nervous system and bring about psychological problems. These problems include acute paranoia.
Although it is impossible to avoid bromine altogether, exposure to it can be minimized.
buy organic food as much as possible
avoid storing leftovers in plastic containers (use glass or ceramic containers)
don't drink soft drinks (especially sodas)
avoid chemicals in personal care products
open windows as often as possible in buildings and cars