Analysis of Five Beverages Biology Investigatory Project - Akilesh Kumar

BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Name: Akilesh Kumar

Class: 12 D
Exam No: B-12402
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere thanks and

gratitude to my Biology Teacher Dr. Aditi Hazra, my
Biology Lab Assistant Mrs. Prabitha Dileep as well
as my Principal Mr. Neeraj Bhargava who gave me
the golden opportunity to do this wonderful project on
the topic ‘Analysis of five different beverages and their
impact on human health’.
This enabled me to undertake a lot of interesting

research which helped me to understand about
beverages, their ingredients and their impact on human
health.
Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and

friends for their valuable suggestions and guidance.
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CONTENTS
Sl No Section Page No
1 Introduction 5
2 Objective 5
3 Target Group 5
4 Methodology 6
5 Selection of Five Beverages for Research 7
6 Five Beverages and their Ingredients 8
Analysis of Ingredients in Beverages and

7 16
their impact on Health
8 Alternative Beverages 35
9 Results 36
10 Conclusion 37
11 Bibliography 38
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1. Introduction
As we all are aware, there are several beverages in the market and among them
carbonated beverages are very widely popular amongst youngsters and early adults.
Many of them may be aware of few ingredients that are included in these beverages,
like sugar and caffeine. However, most of them do not know the full details of the
ingredients in beverages they consume and their impact on their bodies.
These beverages, on one hand offer some benefits and on the other hand there are some
side effects and drawbacks in them, particularly if they are consumed frequently and
in large quantity. It is shocking to know that some ingredients cause addictiveness to
the beverages.
To lead a healthy life, every individual has to judge carefully and decide about what
beverages they can consume and what they should avoid. This project provides the
readers a balanced view point on the ingredients in the selected beverages and their
beneficial and adverse impacts on the human body, to help them take an informed
decision.
2. Objective
This project aims to analyse the ingredients contained in 5 different brands of popular
beverages, how these ingredients act and impact human bodies, by adopting a scientific
approach explained in Section 4.
Towards the end of this project, there will surely be an impact on the readers from the
target group which will make them think twice before drinking carbonated beverages.
3. Target Group
The target groups for this project are Teenagers, School and College Students and
Early Adults for the following reasons:
 People in these age group consume a large quantity of beverages under this
study.
 These people are likely to get addicted to these beverages and carry these habits
in the later part of their life.
The objective of this project will be addressed if this project helps in raising the
awareness and in the intervention of the habits of the above target groups.
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4. Methodology
In this project on “Analysis of 5 different beverages and their impact on human health”,
the following methodologies have been adopted:
4.1 Criteria for the selection of the 5 beverages.
4.2 Research for identifying the ingredients present in each of the 5 beverages.
4.3 Review and detailed analysis of each and every ingredient which includes:
a) Purpose of the ingredient in the soft drink.

b) Mechanism of action of the ingredient in the human body.
c) Its beneficial and harmful effects on human health based on scientific
research papers.
4.4 Statistical analysis of data pertaining to:
a) Amount of caffeine present in the beverages.

b) Amount of sugar and HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) present in
the beverages.
c) Amount of dissolved carbon dioxide in the beverages.
d) Value of pH of the beverages.
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5. Selection of Five Beverages for Research
Five beverages were selected based on the following 3 criteria:
5.1 Volume of consumption of beverages across the world.
5.2 Coverage of a large spectrum of available flavours.
5.3 Carbonated drinks to be compared to ensure a like-to-like comparison.
As a first step, top 15 beverages by sales was collected from foodbev.com and among
them 5 beverages were short listed by following the above criteria.
Yearly
Rank worldwide
Beverage Selection of beverage and basis
No sales in
USD Billions
Chosen as a representative of cola drink as this is top
1 Coke 70.0
selling among the cola drinks.
2 Diet Coke 13.8 Not selected as a top selling cola is chosen in #1
Chosen as a representative of energy drinks as this is top
3 Red Bull 11.4
selling among the energy drinks.
4 Pepsi 10.8 Not selected as a top selling cola is chosen in #1
5 Nescafé 6.3 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.
6 Tropicana 6.0 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.

Chosen as a representative of orange flavoured drinks as
7 Fanta 6.0
this is top selling among the orange drinks.
Chosen as a representative of lemon flavoured drinks as
8 Sprite 5.3
this is top selling among the lemon drink.
9 Nespresso 5.2 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.
10 Gatorade 4.7 Not selected as a top selling cola is chosen in #1
11 Lipton 3.7 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.
12 Minute Maid 2.8 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.
13 Dr Pepper 2.7 Not selected as a top selling cola is chosen in #1

Chosen as a representative of citrus flavoured drinks as
14 Mountain Dew 2.5
this is top selling among the citrus drink.
15 Diet Pepsi 2.3 Not selected as a top selling cola is chosen in #1
From the above method and criteria, the five selected beverages for this project are:
● Coca Cola
● Mountain Dew
● Sprite
● Fanta
● Red Bull
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6. Five Beverages and their Ingredients
Bottled and canned beverages are widely consumed across the world. These beverages, in
general, contain the following ingredients:
 Water
 Carbon dioxide
 Sugar
 Intense sweeteners
 Acids
 Fruit / Fruit Preservatives
 Flavourings and
 Colours
However, innumerable variations have been made with the above ingredients (apart from
water); we now have thousands of varieties of beverages. Among them, carbonated drinks,
which have a market share of 40%, are the most popular.
Carbonated drinks are light, sweet water-based drinks that have carbon dioxide added to
make them bubbly or fizzy. The five beverages selected for this project, contain some
common ingredients and some ingredients which are unique to each beverage.
In this section, we will see details of ingredients contained in each of the 5 chosen beverages
for study.
One thing these beverages have in common is that their nutritional value is insignificant.
Hence this study will focus, as stated in the title, on the impacts of ingredients on human
health.
6.1 Coca Cola
Coca cola is the largest selling carbonated soft drink in the world; 1.9
billion cans are sold every day. It was invented in the late 19th century
by Dr. John Stith Pemberton.
Coke’s ingredients have been kept a secret from the beginning and
the details are safekept in a vault in a bank in the US. However, an
investigative journalist in the US, revealed the details of
ingredients from the diary of Dr. Pemberton. These are detailed in
the next page.
Dr. John Pemberton – Inventor of Coca Cola Formula
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Ingredients Description
Carbonated water is the major component in Coca Cola which

Carbonated water
brings about their crisp and tangy taste.
Caffeine gives Coca Cola a characteristic bitter flavour to the cola

Caffeine
which contributes to its unique taste.
HFCS is used as a sweetener because it is almost 200 times

High Fructose
sweeter than sugar! This property makes it much cheaper than
Corn Syrup
sugar which is why it is used along with sugar in soft drinks.
The essence of the secret formula of Coca-Cola is its blend of

natural flavours. This is the most protected and secret part of the
Natural flavours formula.
These flavours remain a mystery since companies are allowed to
hide their recipes.
The tartness of Coca-Cola comes from the use of phosphoric acid.

Phosphoric Acid Phosphoric acid – also known as orthophosphoric acid – is used as
an acidifying agent to add tartness to cola.
Sodium benzoate acts as a preservative and can provide a sour

Sodium Benzoate
taste when added in high amounts.
A very specific caramel (4-Methylimidazole) is made especially

Caramel Colour for Coca-Cola, to give the drink its characteristic colour. It is a
known carcinogen!
Guar gum is used in Coca Cola for thickening and viscosity

control because of its several inherent properties.
Guar Gum
It improves the shelf life of Coca Cola.
Detailed analysis of the ingredients and the mechanism of how these ingredients impact
human health is covered in Section 7.
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6.2 MOUNTAIN DEW
Mountain Dew is a carbonated soft drink brand produced and owned

by PepsiCo. The original formula was invented in 1940 by Tennessee
beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman and its ingredients are:
It is the main content in Mountain Dew.

Carbonated water Carbonation causes small bubbles to form, giving the
water an effervescent quality.
Caffeine in Mountain Dew enhances the flavour of the
Caffeine drink. It also serves the purpose of making the drink more
addictive.
It is used as a sweetener because it is almost 200 times
sweeter than sugar! This property makes it much cheaper
High Fructose Corn Syrup
than sugar which is why it is used along with sugar in soft
drinks.
Natural flavours play a vital role in Mountain Dew’s
taste.
Natural flavours
However, as stated earlier, the company has the rights to
keep it secret.
Orange juice is filtered through a processor that extracts
all of the excess water. This way, the juice takes up less
space while being transported thereby reducing
Concentrated Orange Juice
transportation cost.
Concentrated orange juice is seven times more
concentrated than the initial orange juice!
It is used to keep Mountain Dew fresh while they are
sitting on the shelves. Citric acid is a sour flavouring
Citric Acid
agent derived from citrus,
It creates a slightly tart, refreshing flavour and balances
the sweetness in sodas.
It acts as a preservative and can provide a sour taste when
Sodium Benzoate
added in high amounts.
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It acts as a preservative and can provide a sour taste when
added in high amounts. It reduces the acidity of foods, so
it allows spherification (formation of mixture in the form
Sodium Citrate
of a sphere) with strongly acidic ingredients.
Sodium citrate is broken down to sodium bicarbonate
which decreases the acidity of urine, increasing the
excretion of substances that cause kidney stones.
Erythorbic acid is commonly used as an antioxidant or
Erythorbic Acid
preservative.
Gum Arabic is used as an emulsifier and a stabiliser — in
Gum Arabic simpler terms, it helps all of the ingredients blend
together properly.
Calcium Disodium EDTA Another preservative, calcium disodium EDTA binds to

(Calcium disodium metals like iron, which slows the rate of oxidation, and
ethylenediaminetetraacetate) thus, the development of rancid aromas.
It helps emulsify citrus-flavoured soft drinks. This

Brominated Vegetable Oil
prevents the citrus flavour from separating out
Similar to artificial flavours, artificial colours are created

in a lab by chemists.
Yellow 5 Its purpose to is make foods — particularly highly
processed foods like candy, soda, and breakfast cereals —
appear fresher, flavourful, and appetizing.
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6.3 SPRITE
Sprite is a colourless, lemon and lime-flavored soft drink created by

The Coca-Cola Company. It was first developed in West Germany
in 1959.
Being the main ingredient in Sprite, carbonated water is

Carbonated water
responsible for the crisp taste of sprite.
It is used in Sprite for the same reason as other soda brands - that
High Fructose Corn
is too enhance the sweetness and to provide a low-cost alternative
Syrup
to sugar.
Unlike other soda beverages, one can easily make out the taste of
Natural flavours the natural flavours used in Sprite. It is most likely lemon
flavour.
Apart from maintaining the freshness of Sprite, citric acid also

Citric Acid
creates a tart and slightly sour taste.
It acts as a preservative and enhances Sprite’s sour lemon

Sodium Benzoate
flavour.
In addition to preserving Sprite, it also maintains and balances

Sodium Citrate
the tangy flavour of Sprite.
Potassium sorbate enables soft drink products to have a longer

Potassium Sorbate shelf life by inhibiting or arresting the growth of micro-
organisms such as yeasts, moulds and bacteria.
Ace-sulfame Potassium is a high intensity sweetener which is

Acesulfame
manmade. It is a lot sweeter than sugar. It is used in beverages to
Potassium
impart the sweet taste without adding much calories.
One type of low-calorie sweetener, sucralose, has been used in

foods and beverages for decades as a way to lower intake of
Sucralose
added sugars, while still providing satisfaction from enjoying
something sweet.
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6.4 FANTA
Fanta was created during World War II in 1940 in Nazi Germany by the
German Coca Cola (GmbH) bottling company. Because of the war, there was
no shipping between Nazi Germany and the United States.
Therefore, the German bottling plant could no longer get Coca Cola syrup.
So, they invented their own drink!
Carbonated water is responsible for the crisp taste of Fanta. It

Carbonated water
also improves the tangy orange taste of Fanta.
High Fructose Corn It is used in Fanta to enhance sweetness and to provide a low-cost
Syrup alternative to sugar.
Like Sprite, Fanta’s natural flavours can be guessed easily. It is

Natural flavours
orange flavour.
In addition to contributing to the sour taste of Fanta, citric acid

Citric Acid
also helps in preservation of the drink.
It acts as a preservative and enhances Fanta’s sour orange

Sodium Benzoate
flavour.
In addition to preserving Fanta, it also maintains and balances the

Sodium Citrate
tangy orange flavour of Fanta.
Potassium sorbate helps in preservation and inhibits growth of

Potassium Sorbate
mould or yeast.
Acesulfame
Ace-sulfame Potassium is used as a sweetener in Fanta.
Potassium
Like in Sprite, sucralose is used as a low-calorie sweetener in

Sucralose
Fanta
Steviol glycosides are normally 200 to 300 times sweeter than

Steviol glycosides
sugar and are used in a range of foods. Adding stevia to the drink
(Stevia)
allows Fanta to reduce its sugar content by around 30 per cent.
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Ascorbic acid works as an antioxidant, which means that it helps

Ascorbic Acid to prevent the growth of free radicals, problematic molecules that
damage cells.
Colour 160a (beta- It makes Fanta look appealing and appetizing. It also represents
carotene) the orange flavour of Fanta.
Guar gum is used in Fanta for thickening and viscosity control

because of its several inherent properties. The important property
Guar Gum
of guar gum is its resistance to breakdown under low pH
conditions present in beverages.
Fanta founders in 1960!
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6.5 RED BULL
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by Red Bull GmbH, an Austrian company
created in 1987. Red Bull has the highest market share of any energy drink in
the world, with 7.5 billion cans sold in a year (as of 2019).
Carbonated water is used in Red Bull to provide a feeling of freshness to

Carbonated water
the drink. It creates a perception of receiving energy!
In Red Bull, caffeine plays an extremely important role of providing

instant energy.
Caffeine The high amount of caffeine in Red Bull has a stimulating effect on
cognitive functions and helps to improve concentration and increase
alertness.
High Fructose Corn It is used in Red Bull to maintain its quality as well as to increase its
Syrup sweetness.
Like in other soft drinks, sucralose is used as a low-calorie sweetener in

Sucralose
Red Bull.
The inclusion of taurine in energy drinks is due to the effect it has on

Taurine
mental and athletic performance.
Niacinamide plays a key role in converting fats, proteins, carbohydrates

and starches into usable energy. It also helps remove toxic chemicals
Niacinamide
from the body, and has been shown to increase the level of HDL (high-
density lipoproteins or good cholesterol) in the blood.
Pantothenic acid (also called vitamin B5) helps turn the food you eat into
Vitamin B5
the energy you need. It is important for many functions in the body,
(Pantothenic acid)
especially making and breaking down fats.
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that

Vitamin B6 the body needs for several functions. It is significant to protein, fat and
(Pyridoxine) carbohydrate metabolism and the creation of red blood cells and
neurotransmitters.
Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep the body's nerve and blood
(Cobalamin) cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells.
Detailed analysis of the ingredients and the

mechanism of how these ingredients impact
Founders: Chaleo Yoovidhya & Dietrich Mateschitz
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7. Analysis of Ingredients in Beverages and their impact on Health
Analysis of ingredients, with statistics, is presented in this section, along with the
review and findings of the effect of these ingredients on human health.
These are presented in 2 sections:
a) Ingredients widely common on most of the beverages.

b) Other ingredients which are unique to each variety of the beverages.
7.1 Ingredients Common in Beverages
The ingredients widely common in most of the beverages are:
a) High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Table Sugar.

b) Caffeine.
c) Carbonated water.
d) Natural Colours
e) Citric Acid and
f) Sodium Benzoate
This section contains the statistical analysis of the ingredients in the selected
beverages and their effects on human health.
In addition, an analysis of pH of the beverages and their impact is also included.
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7.1.1 High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and Table Sugar
Beverages contain sugar in the following two forms:
a) High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and

b) Table Sugar.
The amount of sugar in the selected beverages are given in the table and chart
below.
Amount of Sugar – grams per 355 ml
Coke Mountain Dew Sprite Fanta Red Bull
39.0 77.0 33.0 44.0 27.5
Amount of Sugar - grams per 355ml

77.0
80.0
70.0
60.0
Grams per 355 ml
50.0 44.0
39.0
40.0 33.0
27.5
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
Red bull Sprite Coke Fanta Mountain Dew
a) Purpose of HFCS and Table Sugar in a soft drink:

All soft drinks contain a large quantity of either High Fructose Corn Syrup or Table
Sugar or both. The purpose of these ingredients is to give sweetness to the drink. Of
course, sweetness is additive too and this is an additional purpose why these are
included in soft drinks in abundance.
According to www.health.harvard.edu, while it has been found that people
metabolize high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar differently, there is no real
bearing on the safety of either sweetener. Hence, they have been grouped together in
this analysis.
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b) Mechanism of action of caffeine in the human body and its harmful effects on
health:
 Overloading of Pancreas:
High fructose corn syrup is a
carbohydrate which gets rapidly
absorbed and hence puts more
strain on insulin-producing cells.
The reason is that when sugar
enters the bloodstream quickly, the
pancreas has to secrete large
amounts of insulin for the body to process it. Soft drink habit places an unceasing
demand on the pancreas to produce insulin and some scientists believe that this
may ultimately lead to pancreas to be unable to keep up with the body's need for
insulin. Also, insulin itself becomes less effective at processing sugar. Both these
conditions contribute to the risk of developing diabetes.
 Diabetes:
Researchers from Brigham and Women's
Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical
School analysed data from the Nurses'
Health Study II, a trial tracking the health
of more than 51,000 women. None of the
participants had diabetes at the onset of the
study in 1991. Over the following 8 years,
741 women were diagnosed with the
disease. Researchers found that women
who drank one or more sugary drinks a day gained more weight and were 83%
more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who imbibed less than once a
month.
 Obesity:
People even don't think about how many unnecessary extra calories they consume
in what they drink. Drinking a single 355 ml can a day of sugary drinks translates
to more than 0.45 kg of weight gain every month. There is strong scientific
evidence that consumption of soft drinks is directly related to weight gain. the
relationship is so strong that researchers came up with an approximate formula:
Obesity risk = 1.6 x (additional soft drinks consumed), meaning that risk of
obesity increases 1.6 times with each additional drink consumed.
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In addition, intake of sugar-sweetened beverages is strongly associated with
accumulation of fat around the abdominal area. Reducing consumption of sugar-
sweetened beverages helped reduce body mass index in the obese teenagers.
 Inflammations:
HFCS and sugar have been shown to drive inflammation, which is associated with
an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
 Harm to Cells:
In addition to inflammation, excess fructose may increase harmful substances
called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which may harm the body cells.
 Liver Disorder:
HFCS increases risk of fatty liver disease in humans.
c) If sugar is bad, then are sugar-free, artificially sweetened beverages, a better

alternative?
According to researches they are not healthy alternatives for the prevention of diabetes
and have their own adverse impacts.
Artificial sweetener, Aspartame is one of the most dangerous substances added to
foods. After you drink an aspartame-sweetened product, aspartame breaks down into
its starting components: phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol (that further
converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens.).
There are over 92 known health side effects associated with aspartame consumption!
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d) HFCS offers some beneficial effects to production and preservation of soft drinks
like the following:
 Stability
HFCS helps to maintain the long-term quality of beverages and condiments by

protecting them from variations due to storage temperature fluctuations or low
product acidity.
 Consistency
High fructose corn syrup has a lower freezing point, so frozen beverage
concentrates can be poured straight from the freezer and are easier for consumers
to thaw and mix with water.
 Freezing Point
High fructose corn syrup has a lower freezing point. With HFCS, frozen beverage
concentrates have the added convenience of being pourable straight from the
freezer, and they are easier for consumers to thaw and mix with water.
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7.1.2 Caffeine
The amount of caffeine in the selected beverages are given in the table and chart
below.
Amount of Caffeine – grams per 355 ml

Mountain
Coke Sprite Fanta Red Bull
Dew
34 54 0 0 110
Amount of Caffeine - mg per 355 ml

110
120
100
80
mg per 355 ml
54
60
34
40
20
0 0
0
Sprite Fanta Coke Mountain Red bull
Dew
a) Purpose of caffeine in a soft drink:

Many soft drinks contain caffeine which is mildly addictive. This fact is part of the
reason why soft drinks are such a hard habit to break. In fact, a person addicted to
the caffeine in soft drinks is having two habits - the soft drink habit and the caffeine
habit.
b) Mechanism of action of caffeine in the human body and its harmful effects on
health:
● Blood Pressure & Sleep Deprivation:
Within 40 minutes of intake of a soft drink with
caffeine, the human body absorbs all of the caffeine.
This caffeine causes the pupils to dilate and the
blood pressure to increase. It has been found that
excess caffeine can cause high blood pressure. By
this point, the soft drink with caffeine blocks the
adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing
drowsiness.
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● Addictiveness:
Just 5 minutes later, the production of dopamine increases. Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter that helps control the pleasure and reward centres of the brain.
According to researchers, the way caffeine stimulates these centres is
comparable to the effects of heroin. It triggers a person’s urge to drink another
can.
● No Nutritional Value:
An hour after drinking the beverage, the body clears the water from the soft
drink, along with vital nutrients, in the urine.
● Multiple Harms:
High doses of caffeine can also cause, among others, irritability, restlessness,
tension, insomnia, excessive urination, headaches and irregular heartbeat.
● Risk of Heart Attacks:
Caffeine has been reported as one of reasons for increased
risk of heart attacks among young adults.
● Digestive Disorder:
Excess consumption of caffeine can cause gastrointestinal disturbance and
indigestion.
Over-consumption of caffeine thus has the above detrimental biological impacts.
c) However, Caffeine does offer some beneficial effects like the following:
● Stimulation:
Limited intake of soft drinks has a stimulating effect on cognitive functions,
which helps to improve concentration and increase alertness. Studies by
researchers in Japan have proven that caffeine increases memory. This is useful
when an individual is required to focus with full attention on the critical tasks on
their hands, like an investigating police official, students preparing for
examinations, driving a vehicle while being sleep deprived.
● Hair Growth:
Some biological studies have established that caffeine stimulates hair growth in
men and women.
● Pain Relief:
Caffeine relieves pain associated with sleep loss better than analgesics.
● Alertness: Caffeine improves reaction time and logical reasoning.
It must be noted that these benefits can be reaped only if caffeine intake is limited.
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7.1.3 Carbonated Water
Water is largest component these beverages. In the selected beverages, carbon

dioxide is included in water under pressure.
The amount of carbon dioxide in these beverages varies from 1.5 to 7 grams per
litre. For instance, a 355-milliliter can of Coke contains approximately 2.2 grams
of carbon dioxide.
a) Purpose of carbon dioxide in a soft drink:

Carbon dioxide is supplied to soft drinks manufacturers either in solid form (as dry
ice) or in liquid form maintained under high pressure in heavy steel containers. This
process makes the drink more acidic, which serves to sharpen the flavour and taste.
It also helps preserve soft drinks for longer time.
Acidity regulators are used in soft drinks to improve their taste by balancing the
sweetness. Human saliva is almost neutral (pH approximately 6.8), and when our
taste receptors interact with acids in food or drink this sensation is perceived as
sourness.
Carbonated water triggers a burning, prickly sensation in the mouth that can be both
irritating and enjoyable for many people, and additive for some.
b) Mechanism of action of carbonated water in the human body and its harmful
effects on human health:
Carbonated water is produced by combining water with carbon dioxide under
pressure. Carbon dioxide and water react chemically to produce carbonic acid, a
weak acid that's been shown to stimulate the same nerve receptors in the mouth as
mustard.
Harmful impacts on Human Health:

● Adversely Affect Dental Health:
Sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages, which are
the subjects of this analysis can erode tooth
enamel, while plain carbonated water appears to be
relatively harmless. In a study, samples of tooth
enamel were placed in various beverages for up to
24 hours. The sugar-sweetened carbonated and non-carbonated beverages
resulted in significantly greater enamel loss than diet (sugar-free) drinks.
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● Adversely Affect Bone Health:
Drinking carbonated cola drinks may harm
bone health. In a study, teen girls who
consumed carbonated drinks were found to
have lower bone mineral density. This was
attributed to those beverages replacing milk in
their diet, resulting in inadequate calcium intake. The researchers proposed that
the cola drinkers consume too much phosphorus and not enough calcium. This
is a potential risk factor for bone loss.
c) However, Carbonated water does offer some beneficial effects like the following:
● Gives a Feeling of Fullness:
Carbonated water may also help you feel full longer than plain water does. This
water may help food remain in the first part of the stomach for longer, which can
trigger a sensation of fullness. In a controlled study of 19 healthy young women,
fullness scores were higher after the participants drank 250 ml of carbonated
water, compared to still water.
● Improves Digestion:
Carbonated water may benefit digestive health in several ways.
● Improves Swallowing Ability:
Studies suggest that carbonated water actually improves swallowing ability in
both young and older adults. In one study, 16 healthy people were asked to
repeatedly swallow different liquids. Carbonated water showed the strongest
ability to stimulate the nerves responsible for swallowing function
● Helps Relieve Constipation:
People who experience constipation find that drinking carbonated water help
relieve their symptoms. One controlled study looked at 21 people with chronic
digestive issues. After 15 days, those who drank carbonated water had significant
improvements in digestive symptoms, constipation and gallbladder emptying.
● Relieves Stomach Ache:
Carbonated water relieves the stomach of aches and even help people, who are
suffering from nausea or indigestion, feel better.
Research suggests carbonated water may improve heart health, although the
evidence is very limited
Overall, carbonated water offers several benefits as mentioned above, if one
takes care of their dental health and consume enough calcium.
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7.1.4 pH Value of Beverages
The pH of a solution is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in

the solution.
A solution with a high number of hydrogen ions is acidic and has a low
pH value. A solution with a high number of hydroxide ions is basic and has
a high pH value.
The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with a pH of 7 being neutral.
Given below is a graph portraying the pH of the five beverages.
pH of the Five Beverages
Mountain 3.22
Dew
Fanta 2.73
Coke 2.32
Sprite 3.29
Red bull 3.30
0 1 2 3 4
pH Value
The pH of our mouth changes throughout the day. It is dependent on food and drink
that we consume, saliva flow, and general health factors.
The lower the pH, the more acidic the mouth is, and this has effects on the dental
enamel, dentine, gums and soft tissues. For optimal oral health, a neutral pH (7) or
slightly alkaline is desirable.
The pH of the mouth determines what bacteria grow in the mouth as different
bacteria grow at different pH and most grow in a pH range of 5.0-6.5. A
Page 25 of 38
combination of bacteria and an acidic environment leads to dental decay and gum
disease.
Soft drinks (pH 2.3- about 4), lemon (pH =2), apple cider vinegar (pH 2.5-3), citrus
juices (3-3.5), pickled foods (4-4.6) and many other dietary staples are acidic. Even
bottled water has a pH of around 5.5.
Tooth enamel starts dissolving or losing its mineral at pH 5.5 and the softer dentine
dissolves at 6.7. This leads to dental erosion where the teeth become worn down,
the enamel is thin and weak, teeth are sensitive and they chip easily.
Alkaline water has been popular recently and usually has a pH of 8.5-9. While pH
above 7 encourages remineralisation of the teeth, too high a pH can lead to flaking
of the enamel.
It is the balance between the food and drink we consume, the protective properties
of saliva, good dental care and pH control that prevent dental decay and erosion.
Tooth Decay caused by low pH!
Page 26 of 38
7.1.5 Natural Colours
Beverages use different natural colour suitable for their beverages. They are
generally included to give the required appearance to the drink.
a) Purpose of Natural Colours in soft drinks:

Natural colours are used to attract customers and provide them a visual
representation of the drink.
Every beverage communicates with the consumer first and foremost through its
packaging and look. According to the GNT Group (a food supply company), 75
percent of a product’s first impression can be traced back to its colour scheme.
b) Mechanism of action of natural colours:
When colour is transmitted from the eye to the brain, the brain releases a hormone
affecting the emotions, mind clarity and energy levels.
This plays a vital role in customers picking soft drinks.
c) Harmful impacts on Human Health:
● Cancerous:
Colours are known to be cancerous. Because colour molecules are a similar shape
to some of our DNA structures, they are able to make their way inside and cause
issues.
● Tumour Growth:
Researchers found that while natural colours can increase tumour cell growth, they
don't cause damages or changes to human DNA at their allowed concentrations.
● Allergies & Hyperactivity:
Research has also associated food dyes with
problems in children including allergies,
hyperactivity, learning impairment, irritability and
aggressiveness.
● Nutritional Issues:
Foods with dyes are often riddled with other nutritional problems, like excess
calories and fat.
d) Beneficial aspects of Natural Colours for the beverage
Natural colours make the beverage look appealing and appetising.
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7.1.6 Citric Acid
Citric acid is used in some of the beverages. Its purpose and impact on human health
are given below.
a) Purpose of citric acid in a soft drink:
Citric acid is used to keep soft drinks fresh while they are sitting on the shelves.
It is also used to enhance the sour flavour of soft drinks.
b) Mechanism of action of citric acid in human body
Citric acid reacts with baking soda to release carbon dioxide as a gas which forms
the bubbles in the drink.
Like all acids, citric acid yields hydrogen ions that activate the tongue's sour taste
receptors.
Citric acid is a weak organic acid found in citrus fruits.
● Muscle Twitching:
Serious side effects of citric acid and sodium citrate
include muscle twitching or cramps.
● Weight Gain:
Citric Acid could cause swelling or weight gain and weakness.
● Mood Changes & Breathing Issues:
Mood changes, fast heart rate, feeling of restlessness, rapid and shallow breathing
can also occur dur to the consumption of Citric Acid.
● Diarrhoea:
Cases of black or bloody stools, severe diarrhoea have also been reported due to
citric acid contained in beverages.
d) Benefits due to Citric Acid in the Beverages:
● Taste:
Citric acid creates a slightly tart, refreshing flavour and balances the sweetness in
beverages.
● Antioxidant:
Citric acid in beverages acts as an antioxidant and protects the body from dangerous
free radicals.
Page 28 of 38
7.1.7 Sodium Benzoate
Many types of preservatives are included in the beverages
as they are subject long duration of storage and sodium
benzoate is one among them.
a) Purpose of Sodium Benzoate in soft drinks:

It acts as a preservative and can provide a sour taste when added in high amounts
Sodium benzoate inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mould, and
other microbes.
b) Mechanism of action of Sodium Benzoate in soft drinks:

Sodium benzoate works by entering the individual cells in the food and balancing
its pH level, increasing the overall acidity of the food. By lowering the intracellular
pH of certain foods, sodium benzoate creates an environment in which fungi cannot
grow and spread.

Sodium benzoate may increase risk of
inflammation, oxidative stress, obesity,
ADHD, and allergies.
Studies show that sodium benzoate may
exacerbate hyperactive behaviour in young
children.
d) Benefits due to Sodium Benzoate in the Beverages:

Sodium benzoate inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mould, and
other microbes in beverages.
Page 29 of 38
7.2 OTHER INGREDIENTS
This section covers other ingredients used in some, not all of, the selected
beverages. There are fifteen such ingredients covered in this section.
7.2.1 Concentrated Orange Juice:
Harmful effects on human health:

● Concentrated orange juice can lead to obesity and inappropriate weight gain.
● Excessive weight gain is associated with high blood pressure, hypertension,
stroke, diabetes and other negative health issues later in life.
Benefits:
● It gives a stronger orange flavour.
● It takes up less space while being transported.
7.2.2 Sodium Citrate:

● Serious side effects of sodium citrate include muscle
twitching or cramps, swelling or weight gain,
weakness, mood changes, rapid and shallow
breathing, fast heart rate, restless feeling, black or
bloody stools, severe diarrhoea, or seizure
(convulsions).
Benefits:
● It makes the urine less acidic. Urine that is less acidic helps the kidneys get
rid of uric acid, helping to prevent gout and certain types of kidney stones
(urate).
● It can also prevent and treat certain metabolic problems (acidosis) caused by
kidney disease.
7.2.3 Erythorbic Acid:
Benefit:
● Erythorbic acid enhances iron absorption, which is an unexpected plus.
Page 30 of 38
7.2.4 Gum Arabic:

● Side effects of Gum Arabic reported in studies include early morning nausea,
mild diarrhoea, and abdominal bloating, particularly during the first week of
consumption.
Benefits:
● Gum Arabic was found to promote satiation and satiety, change glycaemic
index, influence gastric emptying, and aid in gut hormone secretion.
● It also helps to manage body weight.
7.2.5 Calcium Disodium EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate):

● Calcium disodium EDTA can cause abdominal cramps,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, low blood pressure,
skin problems, and fever.
● Too much of it can cause kidney damage, dangerously low
calcium levels, and death.
Benefits:
● It is used to preserve texture, flavour and colour of many food products.
● It is also used to promote stability and increase the shelf life of certain foods.
7.2.6 Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO):

● Health concerns about BVO rise from one of its ingredients, bromine.
Bromine can irritate the skin and mucous membranes (the moist lining of the
nose, mouth, lungs and stomach).
● Long-term exposure can cause neurologic symptoms such as headache,
memory loss, and impaired balance or coordination.
Benefits:
● It keeps the flavour mixed into the drink. Without an emulsifier such as BVO,
the flavouring would float to the surface.
Page 31 of 38
7.2.7 Yellow 5:

● Yellow 5 is known to be cancerous.
● This is because colour molecules are a similar shape to some of our DNA
structures, they are able to make their way in there and cause issues.
Benefits:
● It makes the soft drink look good and appetizing by imparting a characteristic
colour.
7.2.8 Phosphoric Acid:

● Too much phosphorus (from phosphoric acid) can decrease the amount of
calcium in the body, leading to bone loss.
● It can also impair the body's ability to use other minerals, such as iron, zinc,
and magnesium.
Benefits:
● It forms strong bones and teeth.
● It also helps support kidney function and the way the body uses and stores
energy.
7.2.9 Colour 160 a (beta-carotene):

● High doses of beta-carotene over a long time can lead to
carotenemia. This causes the skin to become yellowish
orange.
Benefits:
● It makes the soft drink look good and appetizing by imparting a characteristic
colour.
Page 32 of 38
7.2.10 Niacinamide:

● Niacinamide has side effects such as stomach discomfort, nausea and
headaches.
● It may increase insulin resistance, which causes type 2 diabetes.
Benefits:
● It helps remove toxic chemicals from the body, and has been shown to
increase the level of HDL (high-density lipoproteins or good cholesterol) in
the blood.
7.2.11 Guar Gum:

● Side effects of guar gum include increased gas production, diarrhoea, and
loose stools. These side effects usually decrease or disappear after several
days of use.
● High doses of guar gum can cause blockage of the oesophagus and the
intestines.
Benefits:
● It is used in beverages for thickening and viscosity control because of its
several inherent properties.
● It improves the shelf life of beverages.
7.2.12 Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid):

● The most common side effect of pantothenic acid is generalized malaise.
● They can also include irritability, insomnia, vomiting, depression, stomach
pains, burning feet and upper respiratory infections.
Benefits:
● It is very vital since it is necessary for making blood cells, and it helps to
convert food into energy.
● Vitamin B5 is one of eight B vitamins. All B vitamins help to convert the
protein, carbohydrates, and fats we eat into energy.
Page 33 of 38
7.2.13 Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine):

● High levels of vitamin B6 can cause severe nerve damage, leading people to
lose control of their bodily movements.
Benefits:
● It may improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
● Vitamin B6 plays an important role in mood regulation. This is partly because
this vitamin is necessary for creating neurotransmitters that regulate
emotions, including serotonin, dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid
(GABA)
7.2.14 Vitamin B12 (cobalamin):

● Supplementing the body with excessively high levels of B12 has been linked
to some negative side effects like outbreaks of acne and rosacea, a skin
condition that causes redness and pus-filled bumps on the face.
Benefits:
● Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep the body's nerve and blood cells
healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells.
● Vitamin B12 also helps prevent a type of anaemia called megaloblastic
anaemia that makes people tired and weak.
7.2.15 Taurine:

● Although the amounts of taurine present in energy drinks are too low to
produce any therapeutic effects, there have been reports of mild diarrhoea and
constipation.
● The main negative side effect associated with taurine supplementation is
negative nitrogen balance.
Benefits:
● Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain, including supporting
nerve growth.
● It helps to lower blood pressure and calm the sympathetic nervous system,
which is often too active in people with high blood pressure and CHF
(Congestive Heart Failure).
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8. Alternative Beverages:
Section 7 contained the details of ingredients in the selected carbonated beverages and their
impact on our health. By the large, there are many harmful effects to the human body than
the beneficial effects.
This Section briefly covers the beverages that can be an alternative to the selected carbonated
beverages.
While carbonated beverages are consumed, they in fact replace the other healthier drinks.
By drinking carbonated beverages, the individual cuts the intake of fresh juices, milk, and
even water and deprive yourself from essential vitamins and minerals.
The following are the best alternatives to soft drinks and energy drinks:
● Water - It is the best drink in the world!
● Tea – either herbal, green or black is rich in antioxidants, which protect the body form
many health problems.
● 100% Juice - Fruit juices detoxify the body and naturally flush out the toxins from the
body which results in weight loss. They provide the much-needed fibre too.
Page 35 of 38
9. Results
9.1 This study has revealed the following aspects of the selected beverages:
 In general, all of them have similar effects on human health, but with a varying
degree depending on the quantity of the ingredients.
 They are too rich in sugar, which has many detrimental effects on human
health, including risk of diabetes, obesity and dental issues.
 Carbonated water, which is the major component of these beverages, is
responsible for the fizz factor. But it can also cause enamel erosion in teeth and
lower bone mineral density!
 Caffeine, which is good in some aspects like improving concentration and
alertness has many detrimental effects like heart attack, restlessness and
insomnia!
 They have natural colours that are proven to cause cancer.
 Citric acid, which plays a key role in beverage preservation and taste, can cause
muscle cramps, diarrhoea and mood swings.
 Another preservative, sodium benzoate can increase the risk of inflammation,
allergies and obesity!
9.2 As far as the beverages are concerned, following are the results;
 Mountain Dew, which has highest sugar levels among the selected beverages,
is found to be harmful to tooth, offers risk of diabetes.
 Red Bull, the energy drink which has the highest amount of caffeine is found
to cause insomnia, restlessness and indigestion.
 Coca Cola, the world’s most consumed beverage causes irritability and
drowsiness.
 Fanta which has a distinctive orange tangy flavour, can cause migraines and
urinary problems.
 Sprite which has a refreshing lemon flavour, may cause kidney stone.
Page 36 of 38
10. Conclusion
Throughout this project, a balanced view was maintained to enable equal

comparison.
It was found that beverages are beneficial in some aspects. But the adverse impact
on human health outweighs the benefits a lot more!
Even though, we keep consuming these drinks. But why?
Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Similarly, breaking the soft drink habit cannot be done in a day. It will take months
for people, or sometimes even years!
It requires the combined responsibility of all age groups to take a stand against these
soft drinks. Only then will more people become conscious.
Making soft drinks become obsolete is not an ideal solution.

However, people must be encouraged to consume these beverages less frequently,
and only when they are in need of the benefits offered by the beverages like caffeine
intake when they have to keep awake with alertness etc.
On the other hand, people can be motivated to drink alternative beverages
mentioned in Section 8, like tea and fruit juice!
The ideal solution lies in soft drink companies replacing the harmful ingredients
with healthier ones and bringing in laws for enforcing such actions. Although the
process of switching to healthier ingredients may not be cost effective, the health
benefits to the population at large will surely outweigh them!
Therefore, in conclusion, consumers, manufacturers, and Governments must unite
and take a strong stand in promoting healthier ingredients in these beverages and
also to promote the alternative beverages amongst youngsters.
Together, we CAN.
Page 37 of 38
11. Bibliography
1) https://world.openfoodfacts.org
2) www.health.harvard.edu
3) www.foodbev.com
4) www.ada.org
5) http://www.overcaffeinated.org
6) www.thoughtco.com
7) https://www.coca-cola.com
8) www.redbull.com
9) www.medlineplus.gov
10) www.healthline.com
11) www.caffeineinformer.com
12) www.theatlantic.com
13) www.academic.oup.com
14) www.tesco.com
15) www.medicaldaily.com
16) www.mainenewsonline.com
17) www.ajc.com
18) Reference book – Killer Colas
19) Reference book – Recent trends in soft beverages
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BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Name: Akilesh Kumar

I would like to express my sincere thanks and

This enabled me to undertake a lot of interesting

Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and

5 Selection of Five Beverages for Research 7

6 Five Beverages and their Ingredients 8

Analysis of Ingredients in Beverages and

a) Purpose of the ingredient in the soft drink.

4.4 Statistical analysis of data pertaining to:

a) Amount of caffeine present in the beverages.

5 Nescafé 6.3 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.

6 Tropicana 6.0 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.

10 Gatorade 4.7 Not selected as a top selling cola is chosen in #1

11 Lipton 3.7 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.

12 Minute Maid 2.8 Not selected as it is not a carbonated beverage.

13 Dr Pepper 2.7 Not selected as a top selling cola is chosen in #1

6.1 Coca Cola

Dr. John Pemberton – Inventor of Coca Cola Formula

Carbonated water is the major component in Coca Cola which

Caffeine gives Coca Cola a characteristic bitter flavour to the cola

HFCS is used as a sweetener because it is almost 200 times

The essence of the secret formula of Coca-Cola is its blend of

The tartness of Coca-Cola comes from the use of phosphoric acid.

Sodium benzoate acts as a preservative and can provide a sour

A very specific caramel (4-Methylimidazole) is made especially

Guar gum is used in Coca Cola for thickening and viscosity

Mountain Dew is a carbonated soft drink brand produced and owned

It is the main content in Mountain Dew.

Calcium Disodium EDTA Another preservative, calcium disodium EDTA binds to

It helps emulsify citrus-flavoured soft drinks. This

Similar to artificial flavours, artificial colours are created

Sprite is a colourless, lemon and lime-flavored soft drink created by

Being the main ingredient in Sprite, carbonated water is

Apart from maintaining the freshness of Sprite, citric acid also

It acts as a preservative and enhances Sprite’s sour lemon

In addition to preserving Sprite, it also maintains and balances

Potassium sorbate enables soft drink products to have a longer

Ace-sulfame Potassium is a high intensity sweetener which is

One type of low-calorie sweetener, sucralose, has been used in

So, they invented their own drink!

Carbonated water is responsible for the crisp taste of Fanta. It

Like Sprite, Fanta’s natural flavours can be guessed easily. It is

In addition to contributing to the sour taste of Fanta, citric acid

It acts as a preservative and enhances Fanta’s sour orange

In addition to preserving Fanta, it also maintains and balances the

Potassium sorbate helps in preservation and inhibits growth of

Like in Sprite, sucralose is used as a low-calorie sweetener in

Steviol glycosides are normally 200 to 300 times sweeter than

Ascorbic acid works as an antioxidant, which means that it helps

Guar gum is used in Fanta for thickening and viscosity control

Fanta founders in 1960!

Carbonated water is used in Red Bull to provide a feeling of freshness to

In Red Bull, caffeine plays an extremely important role of providing

Like in other soft drinks, sucralose is used as a low-calorie sweetener in

The inclusion of taurine in energy drinks is due to the effect it has on

Niacinamide plays a key role in converting fats, proteins, carbohydrates

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that