Here's something for you Mtn Dew guys....

[Raoul]

Can Mountain Dew Really Dissolve a Mouse Carcass?: Scientific American

[mav]

I don't know about this one. Maybe. Tomorrow while I am at work I will get a Mt. Dew and titrate it for the amount of citric acid. While I wouldn't think it would be a lot, I am curious to know how much is in there. If there is enough citric acid, I could see it dissolving the bones of the rat, but I don't really think it would touch the tissue all that much. Citric acid just really isn't all that corrosive.

I wonder how many grams of calcium are present in a small rodent. The reason I ask is as the citric acid is reacting with the calcium, the overall solution becomes less acidic thereby make a less corrosive environment.

[Guest WingMan380]

The next time the ole cat leaves a mouse on the front door step, I think I will go find me a can of Mt Dew!!

[Guest jackdm3]

Is The Dew THAT far above the acidity of Coke and Dr. Pepper?

[JAB]

Did you guys never see the experiment in middle school where someone puts a piece of raw beef into a jar containing Coca Cola? The cola will eventually begin to break down the meat. Heck, some people use Coke in marinades or basting liquids for meat because it will help make the meat tender - which really just means it is breaking down some of the fibers in the meat. I don't see, then, why Dew wouldn't have a similar effect on a mouse which is, after all, just meat. I'm not sure about the effect on the bones, though.

I've heard some folks talk about how, if a Coke can dissolve a piece of meat, it really must be hard on our stomachs, intestines, etc. In response, I generally simply point out that our stomachs already contain hydrochloric acid which is much more effective in breaking down the meat than a Coca Cola. As someone who takes regular medication to prevent acid reflux, believe me when I say I can attest first hand to the fact that the acid in our stomachs is a lot stronger than a Cola. In fact, helping to break down the things we eat - including meat - is kind of the purpose of the acid in our stomachs. I figure if our systems can stand up to that acid then a Coke (or Mountain Dew) isn't going to make much difference.

Edited January 6, 2012 by JAB

[Gun Smith]

Did you guys never see the experiment in middle school where someone puts a piece of raw beef into a jar containing Coca Cola? The cola will eventually begin to break down the meat. Heck, some people use Coke in marinades or basting liquids for meat because it will help make the meat tender - which really just means it is breaking down some of the fibers in the meat. I don't see, then, why Dew wouldn't have a similar effect on a mouse which is, after all, just meat. I'm not sure about the effect on the bones, though.

I've heard some folks talk about how, if a Coke can dissolve a piece of meat, it really must be hard on our stomachs, intestines, etc. In response, I generally simply point out that our stomachs already contain hydrochloric acid which is much more effective in breaking down the meat than a Coca Cola. As someone who takes regular medication to prevent acid reflux, believe me when I say I can attest first hand to the fact that the acid in our stomachs is a lot stronger than a Cola. In fact, helping to break down the things we eat - including meat - is kind of the purpose of the acid in our stomachs. I figure if our systems can stand up to that acid then a Coke (or Mountain Dew) isn't going to make much difference.

Now the real test is to swallow a whole mouse and take another mouse and place it in some mountain dew to see which one breaks down the fastest.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Yep the colas can also decalcify teeth. Many years ago I got in the habit of drinking carbonated water because it doesn't have any calories or chemicals other than CO2, and a few months later a corner of a front tooth simply fell off. Likely from decalcification. The dentist said don't do that so I quit routinely drinking soda water. Soda water may be more strongly carbonated than soft drinks? Dunno.

The dark colas also contain phosphoric acid, which has been implicated in some population studies correlated with kidney disease.

The artificial sweeteners in diet drinks appear to paradoxically make people fatter than the sugar in non-diet drinks.

So finally switched to little other than water, black coffee, and occasional strong spirits.

But perhaps water should also be eliminated--