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Prevent Preservatives:
While all food additives used in the EU, including the Netherlands, are rigorously assessed for safety, some preservatives commonly found in soft drinks have raised more concerns than others. Here are a few to highlight:
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Sodium Benzoate (E211)
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Typical range: 150-600 mg/liter
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Function: Inhibits the growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria.
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Concerns:
Benzene Formation: Can react with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to form benzene, a known carcinogen.
DNA Damage: May damage mitochondrial DNA, potentially leading to various health issues.
Hyperactivity: Linked to increased hyperactivity in children when combined with artificial food colors.
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Potassium Sorbate (E202)
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Typical range: 200-500 mg/liter
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Function: Inhibits molds and yeasts. Often used in combination with sodium benzoate.
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Concerns:
Allergic Reactions: Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals.
Digestive Issues: Some people report experiencing mild digestive upset after consuming large amounts.
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Sulphur Dioxide and Sulphites (E220-E228)
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Typical range: 10-250 mg/liter (can vary greatly depending on the type of soft drink)
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Function:Used as preservatives and antioxidants, particularly in fruit juices and some sodas.
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Concerns:
Asthma: Can trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals.
Allergic Reactions: Can cause various allergic reactions.
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If we drink 15 liters of soft drink per month
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Sodium Benzoate (E211): 15 liters * 375 mg/liter (average) = 5,625 mg prevented
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Potassium Sorbate (E202): 15 liters * 350 mg/liter (average) = 5,250 mg prevented
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Sulphur Dioxide and Sulphites (E220-E228): 15 liters * 130 mg/liter (average) = 1,950 mg prevented
Total: 12,825 mg per year.
Reduced Plastic Pollution:
Assumptions:
15 liters of soft drink per month.
Typical bottle size: Let’s assume 1.5-liter bottles for easy calculation. This means 10 bottles per month.
Calculations:
Bottles per year: 10 bottles/month × 12 months = 120 bottles per year.
Weight of plastic: The weight of a PET bottle varies, but let’s assume an average of 30 grams per 1.5-liter bottle. This means 3.6 kg of plastic waste per year (120 bottles * 30g).
Reduced Carbon Emissions:
The Challenge:
Calculating the exact carbon footprint of bottled drinks is complex, as it involves factors like production, bottling, transportation, and disposal.
The Approach:
Use Existing Data: Refer to studies or reports that have estimated the carbon footprint of bottled water or soft drinks. For example, a study by the Water Footprint Network estimated that the carbon footprint of a 0.5-liter PET bottled water is around 82.8g CO2 equivalent.
Adapt to Soft Drinks: Since soft drinks have added ingredients and often travel further, their carbon footprint is likely higher. You could conservatively estimate it to be double that of bottled water, around 165.6g CO2 equivalent per 0.5 liter.
How much CO2 does a car emit?
A: The CO2 emissions of a car depend on its fuel efficiency, type of fuel, and driving conditions. On average, a gasoline car emits about 120-180 grams of CO2 per kilometer, but this can vary widely.
Calculations:
CO2 per liter: 165.6g CO2 * 2 (to get to 1 liter) = 331.2g CO2 per liter.
CO2 per month: 331.2g CO2/liter * 15 liters = 4968g CO2 = 4.97 kg CO2 per month.
CO2 per year: 4.97 kg CO2/month * 12 months = 59.64 kg CO2 per year.
59.64 kg of CO2 per year is roughly equivalent to driving a car for 400 Km.