Aluminium beverage cans as a dietary source of aluminium.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the possibility that aluminium beverage cans contribute to the dietary level of aluminium.


METHODS
The aluminium content of a variety of beverages from aluminium cans and glass containers was measured.


RESULTS
The contents of 106 aluminium cans and bottles representing 52 different beverages all had a higher aluminium content than Newcastle tap water at 1.4 mumol/L, ranging as high as 385 mumol/L. Non-cola soft drinks averaged 33.4 mumol/L from cans and 5.6 mumol/L from bottles. Cola drinks averaged 24.4 mumol/L from cans and 8.9 mumol/L from bottles, whereas beer in cans or bottles averaged about 6 mumol/L.


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the aluminium content of beverages from aluminium cans was higher than that from glass containers, and it rose with decreasing pH. Within a given category there was a wide variation in aluminium content. If the speculative link between aluminium intake and Alzheimer's disease is established then beverages from aluminium cans, particularly soft drinks, may be a risk factor.
Duggan
J M
JM
Department of Gastroenterology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW.
Dickeson
J E
JE
Tynan
P F
PF
Houghton
A
A
Flynn
J E
JE
D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis*; D001515:Beer / Q000032:analysis; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D004032:Diet; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D005898:Glass; D009517:New South Wales; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis
D000535:Aluminum