Some common drinks contain elevated levels of toxic metals

Some commonly consumed beverages contain levels of toxic metals that exceed federal drinking water standards, according to a new study.

Researchers tested 60 beverages and found five contained levels of a toxic metal above federal drinking water standards.

Two mixed juices had levels of arsenic above the 10 microgram/liter standard. A cranberry juice, a mixed carrot and fruit juice, and an oat milk each had levels of cadmium exceeding the 3 parts per billion standard.

The sampled beverages, which included those commonly found in grocery stores—single and mixed fruit juices, plant-based milks, sodas, and teas—were measured for 25 different toxic metals and trace elements. Mixed-fruit juices and plant-based milks (such as oat and almond) contained elevated concentrations of toxic metals more often than other drinks, according to the findings in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis.

All told, seven of the 25 elements exceeded drinking water standards in some of the drinks, including nickel, manganese, boron, cadmium, strontium, arsenic, and selenium. While lead was detected in more than 93% of the 60 samples, most contained very low levels, below 1 part per billion. The highest level (6.3 micrograms/kg ) was found in a lime sports drink, though that’s below both Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water.

The study is important because there are few peer-reviewed studies examining the contents of American beverages, says lead author Tewodros Godebo, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.

“It was surprising that there aren’t a lot of studies out there concerning toxic and essential elements in soft drinks in the United States,” Godebo says. “This creates awareness that there needs to be more study.”

These soft drinks are often consumed in smaller quantities than water, meaning the health risks for adults are most likely low. But Godebo says parents should be cautious about what drinks they offer their children.

“People should avoid giving infants and young children mixed-fruit juices or plant-based milks at high volume,” Godebo says. “Arsenic, lead, and cadmium are known carcinogens and well established to cause internal organ damage and cognitive harm in children especially during early brain development.”

Most of these toxic metals found in beverages presumably come from contaminated soil, Godebo says. “These metals are naturally occurring so it’s hard to get rid of completely.”

Hannah Stoner and Julia Ashmead, Tulane University students who participated in the study, say they hope the findings encourage people to think more about what they consume.

“I don’t think there needs to be fear,” Stoner says. “In toxicity, it’s the dosage that often makes the difference so everything in moderation. But this creates awareness that there needs to be more study.”

The next step is to conduct a risk assessment based on the data collected to see the impacts of consuming toxic metals in children and adults.

“We are curious to keep exploring what’s in our drinks and foods commercially sold to the consumers,” Godebo says.

Source: Tulane University

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