The link between soda intake and asthma: science points to the high-fructose corn syrup, not the preservatives: a commentary

Recent research conducted by investigators at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion-a division of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-found that 'Regular-Soda Intake, Independent of Weight Status, is Associated with Asthma among US High School Students.' On the basis of their review of prior studies, researchers hypothesized that the association may be due to high intake of sodium benzoate, a commonly used preservative in US soft drinks. But a closer look at these prior research studies suggests that there is no strong scientific evidence that the preservatives in US soft drinks are associated with asthma. Importantly, other recent research suggests that the association may be with the unpaired (excess free) fructose in high fructose corn syrup.