Warning On Eating Mango Together With Coca Cola False

I was still in secondary school when rumours of the death of an indian man in China broke out. According to the tale, the India man died as a result of drinking coca cola and then few mangos. And the story ended with the duration of interval when such combination is safe.

Mango and Coca Cola Combi

We so much believe this tale when our school teacher rented his voice to it. He claimed he read it in the news. We had no choice because there was no internet then.

Recently, some few years back, the rumours resurfaced again. This time, over the internet. The message came like this.

Example:

Recently an Indian tourist to China, ate few mango (fanas) and immediately thereafter consumed Coca Cola. Within short time he collapsed. He was taken to hospital and was declared dead. The Doctor then revealed that after mango, no aerated drinks should be consumed “as this combination turns into a very potent poison, instantly capable of killing a human. This is the season for mango and our family or friends should not commit this mistake by taking such soft drinks such as Coke, Pepsi etc…should, if at all, be consumed at least after 8 hours of eating mango, as this fruit takes a lot of time to get fully digested. Please share with family, and with those whom you care for.

Read Also: Spirit or Fanta reacts with vitamin C

The news was not only about mango and coca cola. The mistake was to add garri to the rumour. They said drinking garri and coca cola was dangerous. This is a regular cheap food in Nigeria enjoyed by both the rich and the poor. That is not possible.

Coca Cola, Garri And Mango Chemical Combination

Citric acid is an organic acid that is found in all fruits at different percent. Lemon has the highest percent of 1.44 gram/ounce of juice. Mangoes have a very low level of citric acid also known as citrate estimated at 0.1 grams/ounce in 100g.

Another chemical that is found on mangoes is calcium carbide. This chemical is used to ripen mangoes. At these doses, it is not dangerous. Large amounts of calcium carbide can cause an upset stomach.

The main component of soft drinks is carbon dioxide gas in water under high pressure. This is called carbonic acid which starts to decompose upon exposure to atmospheric pressure.

The main component of garri is cyanide. Fortunately, the quantity in dry garri is very little. This is because the processing process of garri has reduced it to a very safe level.

Looking at all three foods, there is no way any reaction will take place. For example, both carbonic acid and citric acid are weak acids that have no record of dangerous reactions. Cyanide has not been recorded to react with citric acid or carbonic acid.

Bursting The Myth

There is no such story of an indian man who died from combining coca cola or any other soft drink with few mangoes. Also, there is no medical research on it till date. To end the matter, the government has not come out to warn any citizen to desist from such a combination as they have in other cases. So take your mind off that.

Read Also: Warning on Fanta and Sprite with vitamin C true

A couple of persons refuse to wait for any official report from the government. They use themselves as laboratory guinea pig. They ate and drank the combination severally over periods observing themselves. Nothing happened.

Besides, many people have subconsciously ate mangos and coca cola and nothing happensed. Drinking vocal cola and garri is nothing new to us. The only reason such can be possible is if a new chemical is added to coca cola. But even at that, it will be stated.