American culture is obsessed with finding ways to improve our health and happiness through optimization and life-hacking. We’re always trying to get better, quicker, and stronger, whether it’s through Fitbits, HIIT, or intermittent fasting. In addition, we have a hopeless addiction to sleeping, caffeine, and sugar. From weight-loss pills to sugar-free confectionery, the diet and wellness industries have long searched for the ultimate secret to health and vigor. And they are terrible for the elderly digestive system, as anyone who has read the reviews of any sugar-free gummies can attest.
However, people are still looking for the “healthier” version of their favorite delicacies. Consider “Healthy Coke,” a recent TikTok craze in which users mix balsamic vinegar with sparkling water and claim the concoction tastes just like Coke. Amanda Jones, a TikToker, claimed it tasted like Coke and started the fad. This is a lie, dear reader. According to experts who have studied soft drinks and tooth erosion, the “healthy” soda substitute that is popular on TikTok may really have some negative impacts on oral health.
More than 6.4 million people have watched the video that motivated TikTok users to create a Cola-like concoction by combining balsamic vinegar and seltzer.
What Do Dentists Think About The New TikTok ‘Healthy Coke’ Trend?
Dentists have not endorsed the home-brewed drink. In fact, in reaction to the trend, the American Dental Association issued a statement discussing the dangers of excessive use of acidic beverages.
“I really like balsamic vinegar, but I like it better on my salad than in my glass. It’s much better for your teeth than soaking them in a drink that has two acids in it “In the statement, Edmond Hewlett, DDS, said. “The more often you drink a drink that is acidic, the more likely it is that your teeth will wear down.”
The enamel coating that protects teeth is destroyed by acid, not sugar. Even sugarless sparkling water produced some tooth erosion, though not as much as typical sodas did, according to a study on sugar-free beverages and tooth erosion that was published in the ADA’s open-access journal in May.
Also read: Difference Between BCAA And EAA – Which Is Better For You?
The Acidic drink Puts Dental Enamel In Danger In Two Ways
A glass of soda water with a splash of vinegar may seem healthier than a Coca-Cola that is loaded with sugar.
However, mixing a sticky, sour vinegar with a fizzy beverage that is already acidic is harmful for your teeth.
According to Marc Sclafani, DDS, co-founder of One Manhattan Dental, “the stickiness of the balsamic vinegar will attach to your teeth long after you’ve finished your meal, and the acidity has a dual effect, eroding away at your tooth enamel and staining your teeth.”
He explained that although balsamic vinegar is a little less acidic than other vinegars, it nevertheless has the potential to corrode enamel, particularly when mixed with another acidic substance. The teeth may appear discolored as the enamel wears away to reveal a firm, yellow substance called dentin.
According to the ADA, tooth erosion can increase the risk of infection and decay as well as cause long-term sensitivity.
Heartburn and reflux are two additional health dangers linked to acidic and carbonated beverages, according to Health.com.
Sclafani preferred that individuals simply down a standard Coke can.
The ADA advises using a straw while drinking acidic liquids and immediately rinsing with water afterward to lessen your risk of tooth erosion. After consuming something acidic, it is preferable to wait an hour before brushing your teeth to give your saliva time to wash the acid away.
Dinky, a graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, has been working as a writer for more than four years, covering a wide variety of themes including current affairs, politics, fashion, celebrity news, and fitness. Oh, and when Dinky isn’t blogging about her favorite television shows, you can find her marathoning the very same shows on her couch.