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Aluminium beverage cans as a dietary source of aluminium
J M Duggan1, J E Dickeson, P F Tynan
1Department of Gastroenterology, John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, NSW.
Objective:
To examine the possibility that aluminium beverage cans contribute to the dietary level of aluminium.
Method:
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.
