Hoo boy. The American Beverage Association isn’t going to like this
news one bit. Food companies now add significant amounts of phosphates
to soda and other processed foods. And now researchers have found
evidence that phosphates may
accelerate
aging (via Science
Daily):

High phosphate levels may also increase the prevalence and severity
of age-related complications, such as chronic kidney disease and
cardiovascular calcification, and can also induce severe muscle and skin
atrophy.

“Humans need a healthy diet and keeping the balance of phosphate in
the diet may be important for a healthy life and longevity,” said M.
Shawkat Razzaque, M.D., Ph.D., from the Department of Medicine,
Infection and Immunity at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. “Avoid
phosphate toxicity and enjoy a healthy life.”

“Soda is the caffeine delivery vehicle of choice for millions of
people worldwide, but comes with phosphorous as a passenger” said Gerald
Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of the
FASEB Journal. “This
research suggests that our phosphorous balance influences the aging
process, so don’t tip it.”

This has nothing to do with sweeteners, food coloring or any other
previously established badness associated with soda and processed food
— it’s a “new and improved” risk.