Drinking Ribena and sparkling drinks pose the same threat to your teeth as gulping down Coca Cola and Pepsi, worrying research suggests.
Scientific tests on 23 popular beverages have revealed the blackcurrant-flavoured drink to be one of the worst offenders for acidity.
All three of the brands’ products were shown to fall within the pH 2.5 – 3.5 range – showing them to be potentially harmful on teeth.
Dentists have long advised everyone to avoid drinks with pH levels more acidic than 5.5.
Acidic drinks can damage the enamel, which protects the tooth. This can lead to painful cavities and the need for a trip to the dentist, experts warn.
Scientific tests on 23 popular beverages have revealed the blackcurrant-flavoured drink to be one of the worst offenders for acidity. Ribena Light and Ribena Blackcurrant were shown to have a pH score of between 2.5 and 3.5, which is acidic
Pepsi and Coca Cola were also shown to fall within the pH 2.5 – 3.5 range – showing them to be potentially harmful on teeth
Dr Mervyn Druian, of the London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry, said there is a great need for a drink that is sugar free and has a neutral pH.
He told MailOnline: ‘Tooth decay is actually on the increase today and much of it is the result of the so called ‘”healthy drinks”.
‘Most people know that sugary drinks are bad for the teeth, but even sparkling water – which we all think is healthy and safe – causes erosion and decalcification.’
Dr Richard Marques, of Wimpole Street Dental, also told MailOnline: ‘I would recommend that if consuming these, you should drink them through a straw.
‘Water and milk are the most dental friendly drinks so I would always recommend drinking these over any other drink.’
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Oral Health Foundation, said the findings ‘reinforce’ how important it is to be mindful of what adults eat and drink.
How was the study carried out?
Scientists tested beverages, including tap water, milk and a range of fizzy drinks, against the pH scale – which measures how acidic a substance is.
Acidic drinks can damage the enamel, which protects the tooth. This can lead to painful cavities and the need for a trip to the dentist for both adults and children, experts warn
A score on the lower end, between one and six, shows something to be acidic – with one being more acidic than six.
Anything that registers of seven is deemed neutral.
Substances that rank a pH score of eight or above are considered to be alkaline, with 15 highlighting the most alkalinity.
The scientists, commissioned by no&more – manufactures of a range of natural flavoured spring water, conjured up some surprising results.
What did they find?
Ribena Light, Ribena Blackcurrant, Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Coca Cola and Diet Coca Cola were all found to have a pH score of between 2.5 and 3.5.
The next worst offenders were San Pellegrino Sparkling Lemon, Lipton Ice Tea Lemon, Lucozade Orange, Orangina, Purdey’s, Oasis Citrus and Volvic Juiced Orange, which all ranked between pH 3.5 and 4.5.
Get More Vitamin D – Mango and Passionfruit, Volvic Touch of Fruit Strawberry, Innocent Sparkling Lemon and Lime, Volvic Touch of Fruit Lemon and Lime recorded pH scores of between 4.5 and 5.5.
An unnamed brand of coconut water, Voss Still Water and Highland Spring were found to be within pH 5.5 and 6.5.
Tap water, semi-skimmed milk and four brands of no&more water were found to be neutral.
A Lucozade Ribena Suntory spokesperson said: ‘Soft drinks containing real fruit juice often have a lower pH value because of the naturally occurring fruit acids.’
A Nestlé spokesperson said: ‘We are not aware of this study, however our products do contain natural fruit juices that can vary in acidity.
‘Limits are well within recommended guidelines and these products are sold as occasional adult treats.’
Manufacturers of all the products involved in the study have been approached for comment by MailOnline, but some have yet to reply.