The pH of beverages in the United States

Studies suggest that pH is the primary determinant ofbeverage erosive potential. We determined the pH of 379nonalcoholic, nondairy beverages and assessed them forrelative erosivity. Relative beverage erosivity zones basedon previous studies of apatite solubility in acid indicated
39%(149 of 379) of the beverages tested were consideredextremely erosive (pH <3.0),
54%(205 of 379) wereconsidered erosive (pH 3.0-3.99)
7%(25 of 379)were considered minimally erosive (pH 4.0).

The most acidic beverages tested with a pH of less than 2.4 were
lemon juice (pH 2.25)
RC Cola (pH 2.32)
Coca-Cola Classic (pH 2.37)
Coca-Cola Cherry (pH 2.38)
Pepsi (pH 2.39)

Information obtained from thisstudy will enable dental care practitioners to makeappropriate dietary suggestions when counseling patientsabout the damaging dental effects of acids in the bever-ages they drink