A long block of text circulated on Pakistani Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp groups warned people not to drink carbonated soft drinks after eating mangoes, as it could be fatal.
On June 6, a social media user warned his more than 6,000 followers on Twitter not to drink any fizzy drinks after eating a mango.
The post alleges that some travelers recently fainted after mixing fruit with soft drinks. “They were all hospitalized,” the user wrote, “and later died. Mangoes contain citric acid and cold drinks contain carbonic acid. [upon reacting] Creates poison in the body.”
The same text is shared multiple times Facebook And also on WhatsApp.
Two prominent Pakistani nutritionists have said there is no truth to viral claims that drinking aerated or carbonated drinks after eating mangoes can cause death.
Sana Azhar, a dietitian and nutritionist at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi responded. Geo fact check Through a hospital spokesperson. Citric acid and carbonic acid are both weak acids, Azhar said in an audio message, adding that the reaction between the two would not be dangerous or fatal.
“There is no scientific evidence to suggest that mix [citric with carbonic acid] Creates poison,” he added. Geo fact check Also contacted Faiza Kamal, a dietician at the private Shalamar Hospital in Lahore, who is also an executive member of the Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetics Society.
“Citric acid and carbonic acid don’t have a strong reaction when eaten together,” Kamal said, “but we must wash the mango properly before eating, if any chemicals have been used or are present on its skin.”
