
FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe
I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons.
I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s.
And the diet stuff is no better.
Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are linked to cancer.
However, if you’re a fan of “citrus-flavored” soda (think lemon, lime, grapefruit, and orange flavors), there’s an added danger most folks aren’t even aware of.
And you could be exposed to this toxic chemical with every sip.
Brominated vegetable oil, or BVO, is a seriously sketchy ingredient that has been lurking in fruit and citrus-flavored sodas since the 1930s.
This risky emulsifier keeps the flavorings evenly mixed throughout the beverages during processing.
Soda companies take a triglyceride molecule and add a bunch of bromine atoms to it, creating a dense oil that floats evenly in water when mixed with less dense fats.
The trouble is that BVO doesn’t just prevent ingredients from separating. It also puts your HEALTH in danger with every sip. (More on this in a moment.)
India, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the rest of the European Union nations banned BVO following toxicity studies published in 1969 by the Canadian equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
And California also outlawed the chemical in 2022, with the ban set to take effect by 2027.
But incredibly, despite the dangers, the FDA has continued to greenlight the use of BVO in fruit-flavored soda—well, until NOW.
Because the FDA has FINALLY proposed giving BVO the boot.
Recent animal studies strongly suggest BVO can slowly build up in our fat tissues over time. Even worse, new toxicology studies confirm that drinking soda with BVO can lead to higher levels of inorganic and organic bromine in body tissues.
That’s a problem because bromine can block iodine from doing its job. Iodine is ESSENTIAL for maintaining a healthy metabolism and properly functioning thyroid.
In a “no-duh” moment, the FDA declared that the “use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe.”
The good news is that sensing the coming ban, most major soda producers have started phasing out BVO on their own.
So, soda drinkers may already have less exposure to this creepy chemical than just a few years ago. In coming years, that exposure should drop down to nearly zero.
But remember, there are still PLENTY of reasons to avoid drinking soda. Choose water, tea, and coffee instead.
And another thing…
Here’s what else we’ve covered this week in Living Well Daily…
Key to Unlocking Better MS Treatments Found?
A groundbreaking blood test developed by Irish researchers could revolutionize how we understand and treat multiple sclerosis. Find out how this new test brings hope to millions living with MS.
The Hidden Heart Danger LURKING in Your Gut
If you or a loved one has IBD, you need to know about this startling new risk. This common gut condition could silently threaten your heart health.
Belly Trick BOOSTS Brain Function
Love a good bargain AND want to stay sharp as a tack into your golden years? This unexpected, affordable brain-support solution fits the bill.
Broccoli Study Reveals NEW Powerful Benefit
Research reveals that sulforaphane, a potent broccoli compound known for its cancer-fighting properties, has another hidden benefit.
Mailbag: Unsteady on Your Feet? Now What?
Balance issues or falls are always serious business. But what’s the most likely cause? Is it osteoporosis or something else?
Exercise Becomes a Breeze with THIS Natural Fix
Research reveals this potent drug-free solution can boost energy DURING workouts and head off AFTER-exercise aches and pains in half the time.
Overeating ISN’T Your Fault [Find Out the FIX]
Ever find yourself uncomfortably full after eating? Science reveals why accidental overeating happens and how to avoid it.
P.S. WARNING… Sipping on soda could DESTROY this vital organ.
Source:
Woodling, K., et al., (2022). Toxicological evaluation of brominated vegetable oil in Sprague Dawley rats. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 165, 113137.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...