Drinking soda may increase your cancer risk. While it might taste good, there are plenty of things not to like about soda when it comes to your health. A new study has added cancer risk to that list. “About half of Americans over age 6 may be exposing themselves to a cancer-causing carcinogen daily. Previous data show that many sodas with caramel coloring contain the human carcinogen 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a compound that is sometimes produced during manufacturing and is known to cause cancer. Researchers wanted to pinpoint cancer’s potential burden on the American population by estimating how many Americans drink these sodas regularly and how much of the human carcinogen is actually present in soft drinks.” The researchers found the concentrations varied but that many sodas contained the compound. There is no federal limit for the amount of 4-MEI in drinks and its presence in drinks is not labeled on the bottle. “Soft drink consumers are being exposed to an avoidable and unnecessary cancer risk from an ingredient that is being added to these beverages simply for aesthetic purposes. This unnecessary exposure poses a threat to public health and raises questions about the continued use of caramel coloring in soda.

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