Studies on the Effects of Carbonated Soft Drink Additives and Simultaneous Consumption of Carbonated Soft Drink with Ascorbic Acid on Histological Parameters of Male Mice

Abstract

Sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid are the most significant additives in carbonated soft drink. The effect of consuming these additives singly and simultaneous consumption of carbonated soft drink with ascorbic acid were investigated to understand histopathological alterations in both liver cells and testis. Expermental mice were grouped into 7 different sets and five of the groups were adminstered 4 mg/kg body weight of the treatments, while the other two groups served as normal and vehicle control. The histological results reveal presence of activated Kupffer cells, sinusoidal widening and cytoplasmic vacuolation in the liver of mice exposed to carbonated soft drink, sodium benzoate and sodium benzoate with ascorbic acid, while in addition to these, there were severe cellular and granular casts in group administered carbonated soft drink with ascorbic acid. Severe cellular casts and granular cast is an indication of hepatic diseases. Carbonated soft drink, sodium benzoate, ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate with ascorbic acid did not alter the histopathology of the testis, but simultaneous consumption of carbonated soft drink with ascorbic acid might prevent the formation of new stem cells and may hinder them from dividing to specialized cells.