Madeleine Hull
Fluoride is commonly found in drinking water due to its presence in groundwater, which is influenced by factors such as soil composition and water filtration processes. This means that any food or drink made with water may contain fluoride, including soft drinks. While fluoride is known to be concentrated in tea, coffee, grapes and raisins, artificial sweeteners, and potatoes, it is also present in processed beverages like soda, juice, and beer. The amount of fluoride in these drinks can vary depending on the fluoride levels in the water used during production. With the mass fluoridation of water supplies, it is inevitable that processed drinks and foods will also contain fluoride.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fluoride in diet drinks | Fluoride is present in diet drinks, with concentrations close to 1.0 ppm |
| Fluoride sources in diet drinks | Fluoride is added to public water supplies, which is then used to make diet drinks |
| Factors influencing fluoride levels | The type of water used (fluoridated or non-fluoridated) and the level of processing |
| Health impact | Fluoride can have a positive impact on dental health, but excessive intake may lead to dental fluorosis |
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What You'll Learn
Fluoride in tea and coffee
Fluoride is a compound that helps prevent dental cavities. It is added to public water supplies in many countries, including the US, and is also present in many foods and drinks, including tea and coffee.
Tea plants, Camellia sinensis (var. sinensis) and Camellia sinensis (var. assamica), are known as fluoride hyperaccumulators, which means they absorb fluoride and heavy metals to a greater concentration than is present in the surrounding soil. The fluoride is then released during tea infusion. All types of tea, except herbal teas, are made from these plants, and older leaves, used for cheaper teas, contain higher levels of fluoride.
The fluoride concentration in tea has long been underestimated due to the measurement methods used. However, recent studies have shown that black tea may contain higher concentrations of fluoride than previously thought, with levels ranging from 1 to 9 milligrams of fluoride per litre of tea. Instant tea mixes have been found to contain more than 200% of the recommended safe level of fluoride.
Excessive fluoride consumption can lead to dental fluorosis, which causes teeth discoloration and malformation, and skeletal fluorosis, which causes bone and joint pain and damage. The risk of these conditions increases with the consumption of over 6 milligrams of fluoride per day, and the recommended highest daily fluoride consumption is 5.2 milligrams.
Like tea, the amount of fluoride in coffee depends on the water used to prepare it. If tap water containing fluoride is used, the coffee will contain fluoride.
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Fluoride in soft drinks
Fluoride is commonly found in drinking water, as it is incorporated into groundwater through the filtration of contaminated soils and contact with rocks and minerals. This means that any food or drink made or mixed with tap water may contain high levels of fluoride. This includes soft drinks, such as soda, juice, and baby food.
The fluoride content of soft drinks can vary depending on the fluoride levels in the water used in their production. Studies have found that the fluoride concentration in soft drinks can range from 0.02 to 2.80 parts per million (ppm). Carbonated soft drinks tend to have higher fluoride concentrations, with levels close to 1.0 ppm.
The presence of fluoride in soft drinks can have both positive and negative effects on dental health. On the one hand, fluoride is known to help prevent tooth decay. On the other hand, sugary or carbonated drinks can contribute to tooth decay, and the sugar they contain can negate the positive effects of fluoride.
It is worth noting that not all soft drinks contain fluoride, and the amount of fluoride can vary significantly between different brands and types of soft drinks. For example, herbal tea is typically fluoride-free, while green tea can have relatively high levels of fluoride, depending on the type of tea and the soil it is grown in. Similarly, coffee can have varying levels of fluoride depending on the water used during preparation.
To reduce fluoride exposure from soft drinks, individuals can choose fluoride-free water or use a water filter when preparing beverages that require water, such as coffee or tea. Additionally, opting for less processed drinks and those that are not made with fluoridated water can help lower fluoride intake.
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Fluoride in juice
Fluoride is commonly added to public water supplies, and this water is used to make other drinks, including juices. As a result, juices can contain high levels of fluoride, and their fluoride content depends on the amount of fluoride in the water used to make them.
A 1991 study by Stannard JG et al. found that 42% of 43 ready-to-drink fruit juices examined contained more than 1 ppm of fluoride. A 1996 study by Kiritsy MC et al. found that 71% of sodas had fluoride levels exceeding 0.60 ppm, which is considered sufficient to contraindicate dietary fluoride supplements.
Grape juice, in particular, tends to have high levels of fluoride. This is because grapes are often sprayed with fluoride-based pesticides, and the skins of grapes contain concentrated amounts of fluoride. Tea, prune, cranberry, pear, red grape, cherry, and apple-grape juice all had mean fluoride concentrations greater than 0.60 ppm. Orange juices, lemonades, fruit nectars, and pineapple juices usually, but not always, had lower fluoride concentrations.
The amount of fluoride in juice is a concern because it can cause dental fluorosis, especially in children. A study by the Academy of General Dentistry found that too much fruit juice could damage the enamel on children's teeth. Investigators of the study looked at the recommended doses of supplemental fluoride and determined that about 43% of juices had concentrations above the recommended amount of 0.60 ppm, and 19% had concentrations above 1.00 ppm.
To reduce fluoride exposure, some people choose to avoid tap water and use bottled or filtered water instead. However, not all bottled water is low in fluoride, so it is important to check the fluoride levels of different brands.
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Fluoride in beer
Fluoride is an element that is necessary for the proper construction of teeth and bones. However, excessive fluoride intake can have adverse effects, such as increasing the synthesis of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators, and impairing the action of enzymes. While tap water contains an average of 0.7 ppm of fluoride, the levels in drinks can vary greatly. For example, black tea can contain up to 3.73 ppm, while white wine can have 2.02 ppm.
Beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages worldwide, and its fluoride content can vary depending on various factors. The fluoride concentration in beer depends on the levels present in the water used during brewing. Therefore, beers brewed in locations with high fluoride water levels will have higher fluoride content. Studies have shown that beer can contain anywhere from 0.076 ppm to 0.260 ppm of fluoride. For instance, Polish beers had the lowest mean fluoride concentration of 0.089 ppm, while beers from Thailand had the highest mean concentration of 0.260 ppm.
The fluoride content in beer can have implications for health, especially for heavy drinkers. If a beer contains 0.7 ppm of fluoride, a heavy beer drinker may ingest more than 4 mg of fluoride daily from beer alone. This level of intake could potentially contribute to alcohol-associated bone disease. Additionally, frequent consumption of beverages with high fluoride content can increase the risk of developing dental fluorosis, which is more common in children.
It is worth noting that the processing of beverages can also impact fluoride levels. Food processing often concentrates fluoride, and products made with fluoridated water tend to have higher fluoride concentrations. Carbonated soft drinks, for example, typically have fluoride levels close to 1.0 ppm. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the fluoride content in the drinks we consume, especially if we live in areas with fluoridated water supplies, as this can lead to increased exposure to fluoride.
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Fluoridated water
Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride in drinking water to a level recommended for preventing cavities. Fluoride is naturally present in many foods, and water fluoridation is a way to ensure that people receive enough fluoride to prevent tooth decay. The controlled addition of fluoride to public water supplies was first implemented in 1945, and the United States was the first country to do so. As of 2022, 72% of the US population drinks fluoridated water, and globally, 5.4% of people receive fluoridated water.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends fluoride levels of 0.5–1.5 mg/L, depending on climate and other factors. The recommended level in the US is 0.7 mg/L since 2015, down from 1.2 mg/L. Fluoridated water maintains fluoride levels that are effective for cavity prevention, achieved naturally or through supplementation. Fluoride slows tooth enamel demineralization and enhances remineralization in early-stage cavities. Tooth decay affects 60–90% of schoolchildren worldwide, and fluoridation has been shown to reduce cavities in children by 35% in baby teeth and 26% in permanent teeth when no other fluoride sources are available.
However, there are concerns about the risks, efficacy, and ethical implications of water fluoridation. Critics, including some prominent politicians, have characterized it as government overreach and raised concerns about potential cognitive effects on children and infants from excessive exposure. In 2025, Florida banned the addition of fluoride to public water supplies, becoming the second state to do so. Proponents of the ban argue that it is a matter of protecting bodily autonomy and informed consent.
Water fluoridation has been a controversial topic, with supporters citing its oral health benefits and cost-effectiveness, while critics question its potential risks and ethical implications. The debate continues as more states and local governments consider fluoride bans.
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Frequently asked questions
Fluoride is commonly found in drinking water, and therefore, any drinks made with water will contain fluoride. This includes soft drinks, sodas, and juices.
The easiest way to reduce fluoride exposure is to avoid tap water and opt for bottled or filtered water. This way, when preparing drinks like tea or coffee that require water, you can minimise your fluoride intake.
No, not all bottled waters contain fluoride. You can search for "bottled water without fluoride" to find brands that offer fluoride-free options.
The fluoride content in soft drinks varies, but it is generally close to 1.0 ppm. However, the overall intake from a single product is typically not a cause for concern. The concern arises when there is an excess of fluoride intake from various sources in the diet as a whole.
