Can sodium nitrite be used as a preservative in carbonated drinks?

Sodium nitrite

Often found in processed meats, sodium nitrite acts as a preservative to prevent bacterial growth and also adds a salty flavour and a red - pink colour.

When exposed to high temperatures and the presence of amino acids, nitrites turn into nitrosamines, a compound that can have many negative health effects.

A review has shown that higher nitrite and nitrosamine intake is associated with a higher risk of stomach cancer.

Many other studies have found similar associations, reporting that the inclusion of too much processed meat may be associated with a higher risk of colorectal, breast and bladder cancers.

Other studies have suggested that nitrosamine exposure may also be associated with a higher incidence of type 1 diabetes, although the findings are inconsistent.

Nevertheless, it is best to keep your intake of sodium nitrite and processed meats to a minimum. Try switching processed meats such as bacon, sausages, hot dogs and ham for processed unprocessed meats and healthy sources of protein.

Chicken, beef, fish, pork, beans, nuts, eggs and tempeh are just some of the delicious high-protein foods you can add to your diet in place of processed meats.

Sodium benzoate is also a preservative that is commonly added to carbonated beverages and acidic foods such as salad dressings, pickles, juices and condiments.

It is generally considered safe by the FDA, but some studies have found potential side effects that should be considered.

For example, one study found that combining sodium benzoate with artificial food colouring increased ADHD in children as young as 3 years old.

Another study showed that higher intake of drinks containing sodium benzoate was associated with ADHD symptoms in 475 college students.

When combined with vitamin C, sodium benzoate can also be converted to benzene, a compound that may be linked to the development of cancer.

Carbonated beverages contain the highest concentrations of benzene, and diets or sugar-free drinks are more likely to form benzene.

One study analysed the concentration of benzene in various foods and found that samples of cola and rape contained over 100 ppb of benzene, which is more than 20 times the maximum contaminant level set by the US Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water.

To minimise your intake of sodium benzoate, check the labels of foods carefully.

Avoid foods that contain ingredients such as benzoic acid, benzene or paraben, especially if mixed with sources of vitamin C such as citric acid or ascorbic acid.