Phosphoric acid is a compound found in many different carbonated beverages, including soda pop. Some researchers believe that phosphoric acid can cause your body to lose calcium, but other studies have not found an association between phosphoric acid and calcium loss. If you are concerned about hypocalcemia, talk to your doctor.
Calcium Depletion
Calcium is a mineral with many functions in your body, including maintaining the strength of your bones. Calcium is part of the matrix that comprises all of your bones. If you lose calcium from your body, you may develop osteoporosis, a condition that causes your bones to lose density and weaken. Eventually, your bones will be more likely to fracture.
Phosphoric Acid and Calcium Depletion
Some studies have suggested that drinking soda can cause you to lose calcium through your urine as a result of the phosphoric acid found in the soda. A study published in a 1999 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Epidemiology" found that post-menopausal women who drank more soft drinks had lower calcium levels in their blood. Another study, published in a 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that women who drank colas had lower bone mineral density, suggesting that they had lost calcium from their body.
Controversy
Although some studies have found that consuming beverages with phosphoric acid can cause lower levels of calcium in the body, not every study has found the same results. A study published in a 2001 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that phosphoric acid did not cause depletion of calcium in the body. This study did find, however, that the caffeine in soft drinks could cause decreased levels of calcium. It is worth noting that this study was funded by the dairy industry and suggested that the loss of calcium due to carbonated beverage consumption could also be due to caffeinated drinks replacing dairy in the diet.
Considerations
It is not clear whether phosphoric acid depletes calcium from your bones and other parts of your body. If you are concerned about low calcium levels and osteoporosis, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to measure the amount of calcium in your blood and can also order a bone density scan. Do not make any significant changes to your diet or start taking calcium supplements without talking to your doctor beforehand, as taking calcium supplements could result in a condition known as hypercalcemia, which can affect the function of your heart, muscles and nervous system.
References
- "Journal of Clinical Epidemiology"; Consumption of Soft Drinks With Phosphoric Acid As a Risk Factor for the Development of Hypocalcemia in Postmenopausal Women; F. Guerrero-Romero et al.; 1999
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study; K. Tucker et al.; 2006
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Carbonated beverages and urinary calcium excretion; Robert P. Heaney and Karen Rafferty; 2001
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