ISLAMABAD: A viral claim circulating on social media platforms in Pakistan, warning people against drinking carbonated soft drinks after eating mangoes, has been debunked by nutritionists who assert that the claim is false.
The claim originated from a Twitter post on June 6, where a user advised followers not to consume fizzy beverages after consuming mangoes, citing cases of people who allegedly fainted and later died after mixing the fruit with soft drinks. The post suggested that the combination of citric acid in mangoes and carbonic acid in cold drinks produces poison in the body.
https://twitter.com/SAKhan200/status/1666033933664899072
Fact About Mangoes and Soft Drinks’ Combination
However, two renowned nutritionists in Pakistan have refuted this claim, stating that there is no scientific evidence to support the notion that consuming mangoes with carbonated drinks can be fatal. Sana Azhar, a dietitian, and nutritionist at Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, emphasized that both citric acid and carbonic acid are weak acids, and their reaction is not dangerous or lethal.
Azhar further mentioned that there is no scientific basis to suggest that the combination of these acids produces poison in the body. Another nutritionist, Faiza Kamal from Shalamar Hospital in Lahore, supported Azhar’s statement and clarified that consuming citric acid and carbonic acid together does not result in a harmful reaction. However, she advised washing mangoes thoroughly before consumption to remove any potential chemicals or residues on the skin.
The debunking of this false claim underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it on social media. In this case, nutritionists have clarified that there is no danger in consuming mangoes and carbonated drinks together.
