# dark colored soda pop **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 22, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-colored-soda-pop/565121 "2010-12-22T21:31:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-colored-soda-pop/565121/1 "2010-12-22T21:31:55Z")
Someone on facebook posted that dark soda is bad for you. They say its because of the phosphoric acid. I said theres acid in all pop, the coloring is just caramel. They said the caramel combined with the acid makes it bad. I disagree. Am I wrong? And why do doctors tell people with diarea to only have clear liquids? ---
**Author:** ![Crazyhorse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazyhorse/32/31_2.png) [@Crazyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazyhorse)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-colored-soda-pop/565121/2 "2010-12-22T22:07:53Z")
For some reason clear soft drinks are often flavored with citric acid while dark soft drinks are often flavored with phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is cheap and easy to produce but some claim it causes kidney problems and bone loss. Citric acid is not alleged to cause kidney problems or bone loss. Also many dark soft drinks are caffeinated but very few clear ones are. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Righteous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Dr.Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Righteous)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-colored-soda-pop/565121/3 "2010-12-23T17:54:35Z")
> [@Crazyhorse](#): > > For some reason clear soft drinks are often flavored with citric acid while dark soft drinks are often flavored with phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is cheap and easy to produce but some claim it causes kidney problems and bone loss. Citric acid is not alleged to cause kidney problems or bone loss. Also many dark soft drinks are caffeinated but very few clear ones are. My husband has a history of kidney stones. The doc told him that although it is no guarantee against forming more, it’s not a stupid idea to avoid cola. Since he does not like coffee or tea he now gets his caffeine fix from diet Mountain Dew. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-colored-soda-pop/565121/4 "2010-12-23T20:30:44Z")
> [@BigBertha](#): > > And why do doctors tell people with diarea to only have clear liquids? Just to be clear:p Clear liquids mean things like water, sprite AND Coke or Dr. Pepper. Those can be colored…but still clear. They want you to avoid things like milk and orange juice; though I don’t know why. I’m unclear on why. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-colored-soda-pop/565121/5 "2010-12-23T20:53:00Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Just to be clear:p > > Clear liquids mean things like water, sprite AND Coke or Dr. Pepper. Those can be colored…but still clear. > > They want you to avoid things like milk and orange juice; though I don’t know why. I’m unclear on why. Here’s why > **[Clear liquid diet: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000205.htm)** > > A clear liquid diet is made up of only clear fluids and foods that are clear fluids when they are at room temperature. This includes things such as: "\*A clear liquid diet is made up of only clear fluids and foods that turn to clear fluids when they are at room temperature. It includes things like clear broth, tea, cranberry juice, Jell-O, and Popsicles. This diet is easier to digest than other foods. It still gives you the important fluids, salts, and minerals that you need for energy. Eating only a clear liquid diet gives you enough nutrition for 3 to 4 days. …You may also need to be on this diet if you have diarrhea, are throwing up, or are sick to your stomach."\* ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Smithee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2acd7d/32.png) [@Alan\_Smithee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Smithee)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dark-colored-soda-pop/565121/6 "2010-12-23T21:23:59Z")
That page says that you can have tea and coffee (_without_ milk or cream) but it specifies _clear_ sodas like ginger ale and Sprite. No reason is given, though.