Beware the Color of Cola
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iStock/Thinkstock(BALTIMORE) — Colas used to be America’s favorite soft drink but things have changed over time as kids and adults have been told to eschew sugary drinks for healthier alternatives.
And now, the latest warning about cola affects both regular and diet brands.
Health officials say that caramel coloring added to colas and root beer may boost the risk of contracting cancer because a carcinogen called 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) can turn up in the soda.
As a result, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future say that drinking at least one can of cola daily may increase the cancer risk for between 44 percent and 58 percent of people over the age of six.
The Food and Drug Administration does not currently restrict the amount of 4-MEI in food and drinks although beverage companies can reduce the amount produced during manufacturing.
Interestingly, some diet colas have higher concentrations of 4-MEI than others.
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