That’s right soda lovers – a U.S. study appearing in a recent PLoS ONE journal has found that women who drink two (or more) full calorie sodas a day are almost twice as likely to increase their kidney risk.
There’s no increased risk of kidney disease for men (go figure), or thankfully for those who chose diet soda. Rates of kidney disease, as well as diabetes and obesity are going up in the US, as is consumption of high fructose corn syrup — also known as HFCS, for short.
“I don’t think there is anything demonic about high fructose corn syrup per se,” says lead researcher David Shoham of Loyola University Health System.
“People are consuming too much sugar. The problem with high fructose corn syrup is that it contributes to over-consumption. It’s cheap, it has a long shelf life, and it allows you to buy a case of soda for less than $10.”
The data for the study was taken from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and included urine samples as well as information about dietary habits for over 9,300 men and women who had no history of diabetes.
Women who reported drinking two or more sodas in the previous 24 hours were 1.86 times more likely than other women who didn’t drink that much soda to have albuminuria, excess levels of a protein called albumin in the urine. This can be an indicator of early kidney damage.
There’s no explanation for why female soda drinkers were the only ones with albuminuria and men escaped.
The researchers think that there may be some other cause that’s linked to both soda consumption and kidney damage. Men have a larger body mass, so a dose effect is one possibility.
It’s also possible that large amounts of high fructose corn syrup may cause damage to kidney enzymes according to study co-author Dr. Holly Kramer, a professor of medicine from Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine.
High fructose corn syrup is part of many of today’s foods – sweetened beverages, cereals, breakfast bars, breads, luncheon meats, yogurts, soups and all kinds of condiments.
On average Americans take in about 12 teaspoons a day of high fructose corn syrup. Consumption by teenagers and dedicated soda drinkers can be up to 80% above this.
In a worrisome side note, a January 2009 study published in the journal Environmental Health found that nine of 20 high fructose corn syrup samples (gathered in February 2005) contained detectable levels of mercury.
In a separate study by the Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), mercury was found in about a third of 55 popular food products with corn syrup as one of the top two ingredients.
Mercury, considered toxic in all its forms, is known to be harmful to the kidneys according to Shoham. The mercury in high fructose corn syrup comes from caustic soda and hydrochloric acid, chemicals used in the manufacturing process that can contain traces of mercury.
And while the U.S. FDA had this evidence nearly four years ago according to the authors of the Environmental Health article, the agency neglected to inform anyone – consumers or the food industry itself.
Continues below…
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Two Sodas A Day Boost Kidney Disease Risk… continued
In an effort to rehab the flagging image of HFCS, the Corn Refiners Association began running a series of TV ads in 2008 that claim the product is natural, has the same calories as sugar and is nutritionally equal to the manufactured counterpart.
They are also quick to disparage the recent research, questioning the data and its quality, claiming the information is outdated and that the mercury levels detected are infinitesimal – far below levels of concern set by the FDA or levels that have ever been associated with any effect on people.
What’s more, science tells us that mercury is everywhere naturally. And just because it may be in some part of our food supply does not mean it’s at dangerous levels in your own body.
Studies that have been going on since 1999 seem to indicate that the levels of mercury found in the body aren’t anywhere near unsafe.
Still, if you’re worried, and are a woman who loves her soda, consider a switch in beverage – diet versions are tasty – for the sake of your kidneys if for no other reason.
Another option to reduce kidney risk from soda’s is to change your choice of drink, water is always a thirst quenching, totally natural option that goes with any meal. To improve the flavor of water try adding a slice of lemon, lime or orange or a sprig of fresh mint. Alternatively opt for sparkling water instead so you still have the carbonated fizz similar to soda.
