Phosphoric acid is deliberately added to soft drinks to give them a sharper flavor. It also slows the growth of molds and bacteria, which would otherwise multiply rapidly in the sugary solution. Almost all of the acidity of soda pop comes from the phosphoric acid and not from the carbonic acid from the dissolved CO2. You can verify this by measuring the pH of fresh and flat soda pop; there’s very little difference. In the following, we want to introduce you to phosphoric acid in beverages.
The phosphoric acid is corrosive, but actually the acid concentration in soda pop is lower than that in orange juice or lemonade. Try submerging identical strips of magnesium (or iron staples) in each of these beverages overnight. Which beverage dissolves more metal? Which dissolves the metal fastest?
Phosphoric acid in beverages: Fruit juices and drinks are also tart, but they don’t use phosphoric acid as a flavor additive. Phosphoric acid would cause many ions present in fruit juices to settle out as insoluble phosphates. These beverages get their tang from citric acid, a substance found in oranges, limes, lemons and grapefruits. Malic acid, found in apples and cherries, is added to many fruit juices. Fumaric acid is used in noncarbonated soft drinks, and tartaric acid gives grape-flavored candies a subtle sour flavor. All of these substances impart only tartness, without overpowering other flavors present.
In coffee, phosphoric acid makes up roughly less than 1% of coffee’s dry matter and is believed to originate from the hydrolysis of phytic acid from the soil. However, unlike some of the other acids – phosphoric is by far the most potent and can easily be 100 times stronger than other acids. As such, many researchers believe that phosphoric acid plays a significant role in coffee’s perceived acidity.
While those on the other side state that phosphoric acid, though potent, is neutralized by an equal amount of potassium in coffee. A 1999 study conducted by J. Rivera of the Coffee Quality Institute found an inverse relationship between perceived acidity and phosphate concentration this is a Applications Phosphoric acid.
Did you know? Phosphoric acid contains a small amount of the mineral phosphorus. Phosphorus is found widely in nature and helps give our bodies energy. It is also a big component of bones and teeth.
Phosphoric acid and its salts account for 25% of all the acid used in the food industries. The main use of phosphoric acid is in the soft drink industry, particularly cola and root beer beverages. Phosphoric acid functions as an acidulant and provides the specific tart note to the flavor of these products.
Why do you consume phosphoric acid? Because it is usually added to soft drinks and other processed foods and beverages to give them a milder taste. It’s a clear, odorless substance commonly added to colas in particular. It makes the flavor more intense and also slows down the growth of bacteria and molds that would otherwise grow rapidly in the sugar-rich beverage.
You might already know that soda and diet soda have a lot of negative health consequences, but you might not be aware of the common health-hazardous acid many sodas contain. For starters, ingestion of phosphoric acid can cause some really unwanted side effects, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, and that’s not all.
Phosphoric acid is a chemical. This substance is widely used in beverages, but note that in addition to having advantages, it also has disadvantages. Phosphoric acid is added to some beverages as a flavoring and preservative.