Soda consumption is associated with osteoporosis, cavities, and obesity.  A new study shows another risk of soda drinking--pesticide exposure.  Researchers found that soda pop contains the following pollutants that are linked to cancer and neurologic disorders:

"the authors report finding an average pesticide content of 11.85 ppb in 11 soft drink brands sold in India by The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo. An average of 5.37 ppb lindane, a possible human carcinogen, was detected in the 57 samples analyzed, as was an average of 4.71 ppb chlorpyrifos, a neurotoxicant. Heptachlor was found in 71% of the samples at an average concentration of 0.41 ppb. All these values surpass safe limits of 0.1 ppb for individual pesticides and 0.5 ppb for total pesticides in soft drinks..."

The report goes on to state:

"'Although the levels of pesticide residues reported [in the CSE] study are unlikely to cause immediate harm to consumers, chronic effects following long-term exposure may occur, particularly in susceptible populations such as children,' says Rolf U. Halden, cofounder of the Johns Hopkins Center for Water and Health."

If you drink soda pop, giving it up is one of the most important things you can do for your health.