Drink at your own risk: 60 common beverages have toxic metals, scientists say

If you are a regular consumer of sodas, fruit juices, plant-based milks, teas, or other store-bought drinks, you may want to think twice before reaching for your next beverage. A recent study by researchers at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, revealed that “toxic metals such as arsenic and cadmium” were present in all 60 drinks they tested, and some of them exceeded the federal drinking water standards for these elements.

The study, published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, measured 25 different toxic metals and trace elements in 60 soft beverages that are widely available in supermarkets across the United States. The researchers found that five of the beverages contained levels of arsenic or cadmium above the 10 microgram/liter or 3 parts per billion standards, respectively. These drinks included two mixed fruit juices, a cranberry juice, a mixed carrot and fruit juice, and an oat milk.

Arsenic and cadmium are naturally occurring elements that can be found in the environment, including in food and water. However, long-term exposure to high levels of these metals can cause serious health problems, such as cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, skin disorders, and cognitive impairment, especially in children.

The researchers did not name the brands of the drinks they tested, but they advised consumers to limit their intake of store-bought beverages, especially for infants and young children who are more vulnerable to the effects of toxic metals. They also called for more studies and regulations to monitor and reduce the levels of these contaminants in soft drinks.

The next time you feel thirsty, you may want to opt for plain water instead of a store-bought drink. It may not be as tasty or colorful, but it could save you from ingesting harmful metals that could damage your health.