Do The Coca-Cola Company (KO) and PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) Cause Violent Behavior in Kids?

But that’s not to say soda is the culprit of violent behavior. Highly caffeinated drinks like those made by Monster Beverage Corp (NASDAQ:MNST) have come under similar attacks with equally flimsy evidence. Monster Beverage Corp (NASDAQ:MNST) was accused of causing the deaths of two people, but as with the flawed soda studies, contributing factors were ignored in favor of going after a company with deep pockets. In the case of the 14-year-old girl who died after consuming two 24 oz. energy drinks in a 24-hour period, she had a preexisting heart condition that the drink labels clearly warn about. As for the 19-year-old man who died of a heart attack during sex, he routinely consumed between 32 oz. and 64 oz. daily!

The fact is, if taken to extremes, even water can kill you. In a condition known as “hyponatremia,” if you drink too much water, the body’s sodium supply is diluted to such an extent that the kidneys can’t flush the water out fast enough.

Although I’ve given up drinking soda for dietary reasons, I’m not really concerned that my neighbor’s kid is going to turn into Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre because he drinks a couple of cans of The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO).

The article Do Coke and Pepsi Cause Violent Behavior in Kids? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Rich Duprey.

Fool contributor Rich Duprey has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Coca-Cola, Monster Beverage, and PepsiCo. The Motley Fool owns shares of Monster Beverage and PepsiCo.

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