The Doctors Health Press, a publisher of various natural health newsletters, books and reports, including the popular online Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin, is supporting a new study published in “General Dentistry,” which found that an alarming rise in sport and energy drink consumption is causing irreversible damage to teeth.

As reported in Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 (http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/food-and-nutrition-articles/you-could-be-ruining-your-teeth-if-youre-drinking-this), researchers examined the acidity levels in 13 sport drinks and nine energy drinks. The acidity levels can vary between different brands and flavors of the same brand.

The Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin article reports that the researchers immersed samples of human tooth enamel in each beverage for 15 minutes, followed by immersion in artificial saliva for two hours. This cycle was repeated four times a day for five days. This simulates typical exposure to those who drink these beverages regularly.

They found damage to enamel after only five days of exposure. Energy drinks showed a significantly greater potential to damage teeth than sports drinks. These drinks caused twice the damage to teeth as sports drinks.

It seems that the high acidity levels in the drinks erode tooth enamel, which is the glossy outer layer of the tooth. While these drinks are most popular among younger adults, they have become quite pervasive across all segments of the population.

The marketing angle is that drinks improve your fitness and boost your energy levels. The general perception is that they are better for you than soda. Most people are surprised to learn that these drinks are essentially bathing their teeth with acid.

The Doctors Health Press e-Bulletin article also reports that a reported 30% to 50% of U.S. teens are consuming energy drinks, and as many as 62% are consuming at least one sports drink per day.

(SOURCE: "Sports and Energy Drinks Responsible for Irreversible Damage to Teeth," Academy of General Dentistry, May 2012.)

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The Doctors Health Press believes in the healing properties of various superfoods, like pistachios, as well as the benefits of taking vitamins and supplements, Chinese herbal remedies and homeopathy. To see a video outlining the Doctors Health Press' views on homeopathic healing, visit http://www.doctorshealthpress.com/homeopathy.