You soft drinks they are drinks consumed all over the world and there are several ingredients used for their production (water, metals, sugar, concentrates, antioxidants, etc.), highlighting the acids, which play a key role. See the complete list of mandatory ingredients and their main functions in these drinks:
water (largest component of the drink);
concentrates (they give the characteristic flavor);
sulfates and chlorides (help to define the flavor);
preservatives (prevent spoilage caused by bacteria and fungi);
antioxidants (prevent the influence of oxygen in the drink);
Acidulant (regulates pH, enhances flavor and regulates sugar sweetness).
Check out the commonly used acidsin soft drinks. It is noteworthy that only some of them are used at all; others are only used in specific refrigerants:
Phosphoric acid - H3DUST4(present in cola-flavored soft drinks);
Benzoic acid - Ç7H6O2 (present in all sodium-associated refrigerants);
Ascorbic acid - Ç6H8O6 and isoascorbic (present in all soft drinks);
Tartaric acid - Ç4H6O6 (present in grape flavored soft drinks);
Citric acid - Ç6H8O7 (present in lemon flavored soft drinks).
Acids are very famous because of the corrosive capacity that some of their representatives have. There are, indeed, extremely corrosive acids, but not all of them. These substances, in general, have the following physical and chemical characteristics:
the acids in water suffer the phenomenon of ionization, that is, they produce as a cation the group called hydronium (H3O+);
have a sour taste;
are corrosive;
are covalent compounds;
But why acids are added to soft drinks? This happens mainly by the acidulant action, which is related to flavor enhancement, pH decrease and also sugar content regulation. Soft drinks made from fruits have natural acids (citric and tartaric), but other acids are also added in order to achieve the goals described above.
Some acids, such as ascorbic and isoascorbic, they act as antioxidants, that is, they prevent oxygen from acting on the soda's components, turning them into unwanted substances. These two acids are also a source of vitamin C.
O benzoic acid It is used to combat microorganisms, such as fungi and bacteria, that is, it acts as a beverage preservative.
The use of phosphoric acid (H3DUST4) is often questioned because some scientific studies claim that this substance, when ionized, releases phosphate ions (PO43-), which is a calcium sequestrant, that is, the phosphate ion has a great affinity for the calcium cation (present in bones). Thus, the consumption of soda with the presence of this substance would lead to a decrease in the calcium content in the individual's body.
As we have seen, the use of some acids in soft drinks is justifiable, but there are some risks to people's health. In addition to the problem related to calcium, the acids present in soft drinks can increase stomach inflammation in a person who already has gastritis. Therefore, it is important, before ingesting this drink, to be sure about the risks of ingesting it and, especially, if there is any preexisting health problem. If that's the case, it's best to see a doctor to see whether or not drinking soda will make the problem worse.
By Me. Diogo Lopes Dias
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/funcao-dos-acidos-nos-refrigerantes.htm