Re: Why are there acids in soft drinks?? Is it harmful to human bodies???

When acids are added to foods they are considered additives. They are used for a particular reason, usually to help preserve the food so it doesn't spoil or go bad quickly or lose some characteristic that people want.

In soft drinks, one characteristic people want is a certain flavor. If you think about what your favorite soft drink tastes like, it doesn't taste like baking powder, which is alkaline, but more tart, like an orange. This flavor is partly due to the acids that are added. The two acids that seem to be used a lot are phosporic acid and citric acid. Citric acid occurs naturally in oranges, among other things. Phosporic acid is found naturally in the human stomach. The amount that is added is small enough to not cause any harm to us but enough to make sure we have the taste we want. These acids also help maintain the soft drink the way we want it, that is, no mold or bacteria.

I hope this answers your question. There are books on food additives at the library you can check out if you want more information.

Jill Irvin
Ohio State University