TMJ 'dysfunction' - Health implications

Coca-Cola
Several studies and independent analyses raise serious concerns about the chemical safety of popular cola beverages. It has been verified, bisphenol A (BPA) — a known endocrine disruptor — has been detected in the epoxy linings of aluminium cans used by Coca-Cola. Scientific assays have measured BPA in soft drinks at low levels (e.g., ~0.45–5.10 ppb), depending on packaging. ([PubMed][1]) Coca-Cola defends its use of BPA, pointing to regulatory approvals and safety assessments; for example, its can-liner systems are widely used in the industry, and the company has argued that exposure from its products does not represent a public health risk. ([The Coca-Cola Company][3])

In addition, long-term observational research has linked consumption of artificially sweetened (“diet”) sodas to elevated risks of stroke and dementia, though these findings are correlational and cannot definitively prove that artificial sweeteners cause brain damage or heart failure.

More compellingly, newer chemical analyses from independent groups have detected 4-methylimidazole (4-MI) — classified as an animal carcinogen — in Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Pepsi, and Diet Pepsi. ([CSPI][5]) This compound is a by-product of certain caramel colouring processes (involving ammonia), and in some tests, its levels in colas exceeded Californian “safe-harbour” thresholds. ([CSPI][5])

While there is no definitive public evidence that Coca-Cola is "concealing" these risks with a deliberate corporate conspiracy, the presence of these chemicals — together with the company’s long-standing use of synthetic additives — strongly supports calls for greater transparency, independent testing, and potentially tighter regulatory scrutiny.

Bisphenol A & Health Effects
“BPA can disrupt how hormones carry messages in our body, and as such, is part of a group of chemicals known as endocrine disruptors. Because it doesn’t take very many hormone molecules to transmit messages in our bodies, endocrine disruptors can interrupt healthy signals at very low concentrations—in fact, even a few parts per trillion of BPA has (50 μg/kg/day, or 50 parts per billion per day) been shown to disrupt normal communication that may lead to health problems.”
Source:

“Although estrogen is thought of as a female hormone, it’s found in both males and females, and the prostate gland is rich in estrogen receptors. There are also estrogen receptors in other parts of the body, including the cardiovascular system and the brain. That’s why estrogen mimics like BPA can influence the reproductive tract and other parts of the body as well.”
Gail Prins, Professor of Physiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

UPDATE:
Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta and other soft drinks are being recalled across Europe because of safety fears after the discovery of high levels of a chemical by product from chlorine disinfectants

Some of the drinks sealed in cans and glass bottles sealed at a factory in Belgium contain accessory high chlorate content

The affected products are Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Fuze tea and Minute Made.

Cook Coca-Cola Euro Pacific partners Belgium told the AFP news agency the contaminated drinks have been distributed in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany, France and Luxembourg since November

Chlorate, which can cause iodine deficiency, is a by-product of chlorine disinfectants widely used in water treatment and food processing.

The drink's maker said the issue was discovered during checks at a plant and Ghent. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not yet issued a recall in the UK, but is “investigating if any Coca-Cola products containing higher levels of chlorate are in the UK market”

Meanwhile, the Belgian food safety regulator, the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) has issued a recall “due to the excessively high chlorate content”.
References:
[1]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4059492 ... hatgpt.com "Determination of bisphenol A in different types of soft drink ..."
[2]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1917063 ... hatgpt.com "Levels of bisphenol A in canned soft drink products ..."
[3]: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/P ... hatgpt.com "An insight into bisphenol A, food exposure and its adverse ..."
[4]: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2 ... isclosure/ "Coca-Cola rejects growing calls for bisphenol A disclosure"
[5]: https://www.packagingdigest.com/packagi ... pa-in-cans "Shareholders challenge Coca-Cola over BPA in cans"


Update posted on 28th January 2025