The Chemical Additive Of The Week - Phosphoric Acid

Health Effects: 

Phosphoric acid, used in many soft drinks (primarily cola), has been linked to lower bone density in epidemiological studies. For example, a study using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry rather than a questionnaire about breakage, provides reasonable evidence to support the theory that drinking cola results in lower bone density. This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A total of 1672 women and 1148 men were studied between 1996 and 2001. Dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire that had specific questions about the number of servings of cola and other carbonated beverages and that also made a differentiation between regular, caffeine-free, and diet drinks. The paper cites significant statistical evidence to show that women who consume cola daily have lower bone density. Total phosphorus intake was not significantly higher in daily cola consumers than in nonconsumers; however, the calcium-to-phosphorus ratios were lower. - The Framingham Osteoporosis Study

In a study published in the journal Epidemiology, the team compared the dietary habits of 465 people with chronic kidney disease and 467 healthy people. After controlling for various factors, the team found that drinking two or more colas a day whether artificially sweetened or regular was linked to a twofold risk of chronic kidney disease. - Anahad O’Connor

Researchers at the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois propose that carbonated beverages may also contribute to the loss of enamel, the hard outermost layer of your teeth. The study, published in 2007 in "General Dentistry," found that cola products containing phosphoric acid elicited an average enamel loss of 3.65 percent. Diet colas, which tend to be less acidic than regular colas, produced a lesser degree of erosion. The percent of erosion was proportional to the length of exposure to the beverage. - Live Strong 

Soft drink consumption in children poses a significant risk factor for impaired calcification of growing bones. - Natural News 

Phosphorus is meant to exist in the body in a 1:1 ratio with calcium. However, large amounts of phosphorus in sodas, specifically colas, throw off the balance in the body, making the ratio 2:1, even 5:1. When these large amounts of acid enter the body, it is quickly goes into the blood stream, lowering the blood’s pH level. The body immediately works to fight this imbalance and may extract minerals from the bones to restore the phosphorus-calcium balance. - Elson M. Haas 

The Fruit Of The Week - Dates

History: 

Dates have been a staple food of the Middle East for thousands of years. They are believed to have originated around the Persian Gulf, and have been cultivated since ancient times from Mesopotamia to prehistoric Egypt, possibly as early as 4000 BCE. The Ancient Egyptians used the fruits to be made into date wine, and ate them at harvest. 

There is archaeological evidence of date cultivation in eastern Arabia in 6000 BCE. (Alvarez-Mon 2006). In later times, traders spread dates around South and South West Asia, northern Africa, and Spain and Italy. Dates were introduced into Mexico and California by the Spaniards by 1765, around Mission San Ignacio. - History Of Dates 

Health Benefits:

The nicotinic content that is present in the Dates is said to be beneficial for curing any kinds of intestinal disorders. Continuous intake of dates helps to maintain a check on the growth of the pathological organisms and thus, helps in the rise of friendly bacteria in the intestines. - Organic Facts 

Dates are one of the best natural sources of potassium. Potassium is an essential mineral your body needs to maintain muscle contractions including the vital heart muscle. Potassium is needed to maintain a healthy nervous system and to balance the body’s metabolism as well. - Family Nutrition 

Dates are an excellent source of iron, contains 0.90 mg/100 g of fruits (about 11% of RDI). Iron, being a component of hemoglobin inside the red blood cells, determines the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood. - Nutrition & You 

Sexual stamina is another one of dates health benefits. Some dried fruit soaked overnight in goat’s milk to which honey and cardamom are then added, makes for a great tasting drink that enhances performance for people with weak sexual stamina. - Fruit Health Benefits