Fizzy drinks have been termed harmful in the past, mainly because of their high sugar content. Now, doctors warn that there is possibility that the cans that they come in may also not be good for a person's health.
According to a new study, there is possibility that a common coating utilized in soft drink cans might cause high blood pressure and can also put heart patients at risk. The chemical Bisphenol A, known as BPA is broadly utilized as a lining for cans and plastic bottles, but according to earlier studies it can leach into food and drink.
Korean researchers have found that drinking from cans increased the concentration of BPA in urine by 1,600% as compared with glass bottles. Blood pressure increased by 5 mmg Hg, when two cans a day consumed and it is a rise that would cause major problems for patients who have high blood pressure or heart disease. According to doctors, such type of patients would also require to seek medical if such an increase was observed.
A new study has found a common coating used in soft drink cans could cause high blood pressure and put heart patients at risk.
The chemical Bisphenol A - known as BPA - is widely used as a lining for cans and plastic bottles, but previous studies found it can leach into food and drink.
However, the EFSA - the European Food Safety Authority - last year found that BPA posed no appreciable health risk to anyone apart from very young children.
It is currently reviewing its findings, with a new report due before Christmas.
The new study, carried out by the Korean researchers, found ingesting BPA was associated with high blood pressure and changes in heart rate.
Dr Yun-Chul Hong, of the Seoul National University College of Medicine, said: 'A 5 mm Hg increase in systolic blood pressure by drinking two canned beverages may cause clinically significant problems, particularly in patients with heart disease or hypertension.
Last year, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that BPA posed no considerable health risk to anybody apart from very young kids. Currently, it is reviewing its findings with a new report that is due before Christmas.
According to the new study conducted by the Korean researchers, ingesting BPA was connected with high blood pressure and alterations in heart rate. The study that included 60 adults over the age of 60 found that the concentration of BPA climb by up to 1,600 % after consuming canned drinks as compared with after consuming the glass-bottled beverages.
They found that the concentration of BPA increased by up to 1,600 per cent after consuming canned drinks compared to after consuming the glass-bottled beverages. Researchers controlled factors such as population characteristics or past medical history.
Time variables, such as daily temperatures, however, could still affect the results, they said.
Dr Hong concluded: 'I suggest consumers try to eat fresh foods or glass bottle-contained foods rather than canned foods.
'Hopefully, manufacturers will develop and use healthy alternatives to BPA for the inner lining of can containers.'
Gavin Partington, British Soft Drinks Association director general, said BPA is used in 'virtually all cans used for food and beverage products'.
He said: 'BPA has been approved safe by the UK Food Standards Agency and this view is shared by authorities worldwide.
'The scientific consensus repeatedly stated among regulatory agencies in Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and the United States is that current levels of exposure to BPA through food and beverage packaging do not pose a health risk to the general population.