The new "healthy Coke" fad on TikTok has been hard to ignore this week, but before you mix balsamic vinegar and flavoured seltzer, there are some potential health dangers to consider.

On Wednesday, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a press statement expressing concern about the effects of drinking "healthy Coke" on dental health. "If I'm going to have balsamic vinegar, I'd rather put it on a salad than drink it.

Compared to soaking your teeth in a beverage containing a mixture of two acids, it's considerably gentler on your teeth "In the announcement, ADA spokesman Edmond Hewlett, DDS, made the following statement. There is a correlation between the acidity of a drink and the likelihood of tooth attrition from repeated ingestion.

Exactly What is "Healthy Coke"?

Balsamic vinegar and flavoured seltzer make up the "Healthy Coke," best served over ice. TikTok user Amanda Jones started the craze last week when she posted the drink's recipe, which she had gotten from her Pilates teacher.

It tastes just like a Coke; she assured her audience. Jones recommends adding "a dash of balsamic vinegar" to your favourite effervescent drink.

Some individuals could tell the difference in flavour and recognized the "healthy Coke" for what it was, while others thought it was nothing more than "carbonated balsamic vinegar."

The Possible Effects of "Healthy Coke" on Your Teeth

The American Dental Association (ADA) has updated its warning about the dangers of "healthy Coke" to include findings from a new study published in JADA Foundational Science last month.

The study compared the erosion of teeth caused by drinking plain bottled water with that caused by drinking flavoured carbonated beverages with and without sugar.

For 24 hours, scientists submerged samples of freshly removed human teeth in eight different drinks, including Coca-Cola, Polar Seltzer Lemon, Perrier, Smartwater, Dasani, and Alkaline 88 water.

Scientists said this would simulate a whole year of drinking the beverages. Before and after soaking, the tooth surfaces were compared to detect any alterations.

What Effects "Healthy Coke" May Have on Your Stomach

Gastroenterologist Ashkan Farhadi, MD, of MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, says that "healthy Coke" may cause heartburn or an upset stomach in certain people. Some people may be able to consume "healthy Coke" without any ill effects.

In contrast, others may have gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, including heartburn, nausea, the taste of food or stomach acid in your mouth, cough, or hoarseness after consuming the beverage.

It's also possible that you have an allergy or intolerance to vinegar. Vinegar may include chemical components that trigger systemic reactions, including sulfites, histamines, acetic acid, and salicylates.

Tips For A Risk-Free Taste of "Healthy Coke"

Experts say you can do a few things to make the transition to "healthy Coke" easier on your teeth and stomach if you're still interested. Even while you would assume cleaning your teeth afterwards would assist.

Brushing your teeth soon afterwards may enhance erosion since the toothbrush will quickly wear away the weakened tooth structure. I wouldn't advise cleaning your teeth right away.

However, if you drink via a straw and then rinse your mouth thoroughly with water to get rid of the acid, you can reduce the damage to your teeth. "That has the potential to be really useful,"

How To Avoid Damage

Put down the soda. Many of us, though, have trouble breaking the habit. But there are measures you may do to protect your teeth from harm.

• Be moderate. Keep your daily soda intake to a minimum. Even one will inflict significant harm.
• Drink fast. Drinking a soft drink reduces the damage to teeth and gums over time. Reduce the sugar and acid's damaging effects on your teeth by drinking quickly.
• Straws. Do this to protect your teeth from the harmful effects of sugar and acid.
• Rinse with water. The sugars and acids in soda can be removed by rinsing your mouth with water after drinking it.

Substitutes For Soda

Soft drinks with a reduced acid level are better for your teeth. The Mississippi Department of Health reports that Pepsi and Coca-Cola are the two most acidic soft beverages on the market, with Dr Pepper and Gatorade following closely behind. The soft drinks with the least acidity are Sprite, Diet Coke, and Diet Dr Pepper. Soda pop isn't the healthiest beverage option, but it's one of the most popular.