Every summer in Bangladesh, as the juicy mango season hits its peak in Jyestha (May-June), a familiar rumor resurfaces on social media: eating mangoes followed by a fizzy soft drink is a deadly combo. The claim warns that the citric acid in mangoes mixes with the “organic acids” in sodas, causing poisoning so severe it could lead to death. Similar tales have swirled around jackfruit and durians, with some posts even suggesting jackfruit and soft drinks could mimic the venom of “three snake bites.” As a team that’s fallen for our share of internet hoaxes (we once shared a “miracle diet” post, oops), we couldn’t let this slide. Is this a real health warning or just another viral scare? Let’s dig in with a sardonic chuckle and global fact-checking standards to uncover the truth.
The Viral Claim: A Deadly Mango-Soda Mix?
The rumor is as old as mango season itself: eating mangoes and then gulping a soft drink can poison you, thanks to a toxic reaction between the citric acid in mangoes and the “organic acids” in sodas. Posts on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms claim this combo can knock you out or worse. Some posts, originating from India, allege tourists in Chandigarh passed out after this mix, only to be declared dead at hospitals. Similar claims have popped up about jackfruit and durians, especially in India, Thailand, and parts of Africa.
In Bangladesh, where mangoes are practically a national treasure, this rumor hits hard, spreading panic among soda-sipping fruit lovers. But we’ve learned not to trust every alarming post (remember the “onion water cures COVID” fad?). So, we set out to verify if this fruity-fizzy combo is as lethal as claimed.
Fact-Checking the Science
Doctors debunked the core claim: “Mangoes contain citric acid, a type of organic acid, but only in tiny amounts—0.2% to 1.3%. Soft drinks don’t have organic acids as claimed; they use inorganic phosphoric acid. The small amount of citric acid in mangoes doesn’t react significantly with phosphoric acid in sodas. There’s no evidence this causes poisoning or death.”
They added a nuance: “While citric and phosphoric acids aren’t approved together as food additives in high amounts—because they could form a genotoxic compound harmful to DNA—this doesn’t apply to eating mangoes and drinking soda. The quantities in food are too low to cause harm, let alone instant unconsciousness or death as claimed.” Their verdict? The rumor’s a bust.
We also checked similar claims about jackfruit and durians. A 2020 AFP Thailand fact-check quoted Dr. Piyapan Prueksapanich from Chulalongkorn University, who said, “Eating durians with soft cold drinks isn’t dangerous and won’t poison the body. However, both are high in sugar, so overconsumption isn’t great for obesity.” He did warn that durians with alcohol could amplify alcohol toxicity, potentially causing severe symptoms or, in rare cases, death—but that’s a different story.
For jackfruit, we found no evidence of toxic reactions with soda. The fiber in jackfruit combined with soda’s carbonation might cause indigestion or mild stomach discomfort for some, but death? Not a chance. Factly, The Quint, Dubawa, and Vishva News have all debunked similar claims, citing experts who confirm no deadly reaction occurs.
A keyword search for “mango soda poisoning” turned up no credible reports of deaths, only recycled rumors. A 2019 Indian Express article dismissed the Chandigarh tourist story, noting no hospital records or police reports corroborated it. The rumor’s global reach—spanning India, Thailand, and Africa—shows it’s a persistent myth, not a fact.
The Bigger Picture: The Perils of Food Myths
This isn’t just about mangoes and soda; it’s a warning about health misinformation’s grip. From hydroxychloroquine hype to vaccine conspiracies, false claims can sow distrust in science, as the World Health Organization warned in 2023. In Bangladesh, where dietary habits are cultural cornerstones, such rumors can disrupt eating habits and spark unnecessary fear.
The mango-soda myth, like its jackfruit and durian cousins, thrives on social media’s engagement-driven algorithms. Platforms like Facebook amplify sensational posts, making it critical for users to verify before sharing. As a team that’s clicked on too many “shocking” links, we know the temptation—but let’s not let fake news spoil our mango season.
Conclusion: No Poison, Just Bad Science
The claim that eating mangoes, jackfruit, or durians with soft drinks causes deadly poisoning is false. Experts confirm no toxic reaction occurs between the small amounts of citric acid in these fruits and the phosphoric acid in sodas. At worst, you might get a tummy ache from carbonation and fiber, but death? That’s pure fiction.
