Is Benzene Bad For You?
Also Known As: C6H6
Short answer
Yes, benzene is bad for you. The chemical has been linked to various health concerns, including cancer.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
Benzene is commonly found in soft drinks, cola, flavored mineral water, fruit drinks, sports drinks and cordial. It is formed when both vitamin C and sodium benzoate interact with one another. Sodium benzoate is usually added to products to extend shelf life and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria.
Many studies have been carried out as to the toxicity of benzene and the effect on the human body and it is believed that it is carcinogenic, meaning it can accumulate inside the body and lead to many forms of cancer. Benzene is heavily used in manufacturing plastics, lubricants, pesticides and resins but can also occur naturally within the earth. Each day we are exposed to benzene in the atmosphere through cigarette smoke, petrol stations, and other industrial products. It seems the levels at which we are exposed to within the environment are a lot higher than the levels that are contained within soft drinks. Therefore, a cigarette smoker wouldn’t bother being concerned about the level of benzene that could potentially be contained in his can of coke, as the amount of benzene, amongst other chemicals he is inhaling would far exceed that.
There is no accurate process in which to continually measure the levels of benzene in a soft drink as it differs from chemical reaction to chemical reaction. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is closely monitoring companies whose drinks show up on the high-level end of benzene content and some are pushed to reformulate their drinks. In conclusion, any kind of artificial drink should be consumed in moderation due to synthetic ingredients and sugar content. The risk of benzene being present is possible, however, environmental exposure to this chemical is much higher. Still, any product that has the potential to be carcinogenic should be avoided.
Possible short-term side effects
Possible long-term side effects
- irregular heartbeat
-
cancer
-
decrease of red blood cells
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Written by Maddiebair
Published on: 05-15-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Maddiebair
Published on: 05-15-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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