Sodas are not a drink recommended for children because of its high content of added sugars and its low satiety capacity. However, today we will not talk about the risks of liquid that we find inside soda cans, but of the danger of the cans themselves.
In addition to drinking directly from the can, placing the mouth over the aluminum opening, they can come into contact with any type of bacteria, by ingesting the soda could accidentally swallow the ring with which the can is opened.
More than three decades ago, accidents from swallowing aluminum seals have led to the manufacture of fixed seals, supposedly safer because they remain attached to the can.
However, a study by radiologists in the United States has shown that although it should not happen, the rings continue to be swallowed by children.
There are always those who turn the ring of the can to loosen it until it finally comes out. This gesture can cause the ring to fall into the drink and accidentally swallowed by a child while drinking, in the worst case causing damage to the intestinal tract.
Researchers have identified 19 cases of children who had accidentally swallowed a non-removable beverage can ring in a children's hospital in Cincinnati in the past sixteen years. This figure, multiplied by all hospitals in all cities of the world, would indicate that it is a frequent accident among the smallest.
The funny thing is that you can not always see the ring using X-rays, since aluminum does not usually appear on radiographs. Of the 19 cases, only four could be seen, all in the stomach.
Adding one more danger to the cans, let's note that when opened, the hole that remains to drink has sharp edges. Children can stick their tongues inside and hurt themselves.
In view of the investigations and common sense, parents should prevent children from drinking soda. That if they do, at least occasionally and not drink directly from the can, which on the other hand seem to have more gas than bottles.
If they are going to drink, it is better to offer the drink served in a glass and check that the ring has not fallen into the liquid.
