Soft drinks contain phosphorous - often in the form of phosphoric acid. This phosphorous content poses a risk to soda pop consumers. Animal studies demonstrate that phosphorus can deplete bones of calcium. In addition, two recent human studies suggest that girls who drink more soda are more prone to broken bones. With less calcium available, the bones become more porous and prone to fracture. The soda pop industry denies that soda plays a role in bone weakening. That isn't surprising. What manufacturer would even consider acknowledging that their product can cause thinning of bone?

Animal studies -- mostly involving rats -- point to clear and consistent bone loss with the use of cola beverages. However, as scientists like to point out, humans and rats are not exactly the same. They're close enough when the rat study shows a benefit, but not when the rat groups suffer in any way because of the product being tested.

Numerous studies over the years show repeatedly that increased phosphorous intake and reduced calcium leads to weaker bones. Even IF the soda pop isn't the only culprit, why run the risk of making matters worse? Skip the phosphorous-laden soda pop and consume more calcium (in vegetable preferably).

A 1994 study by Grace Wyshak, then a researcher at Harvard's Center for Population Studies, concluded that girls who drank cola were about five times more likely to suffer bone fractures than girls who didn't consume soda pop. She also found that girls who drank only non-cola carbonated drinks were three times more likely to develop bone fractures than those who didn't consume soda pop. Regardless of the kind of soda pop, it posed a problem with bone weakening.