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Researching and writing about coca-cola syrup,
mentioned in over fifty Edgar Cayce readings, brings up the issue of
carbonated drinks in general. What did Cayce say about
them?
A number of A.R.E. members familiar with the
readings may know that such soft drinks were referred
to as “slop.” Two readings utilize this rather descriptive
term. “No slop, or those of soft drinks of any kind,
should be taken…” (5545-2) When listing a diet for
the noon meal, another reading added, “…and don’t
drink a lot of slop in the form of drinks!” (542-1) Yet
despite this rather degrading connotation, at least seven
individuals were specifically advised to drink carbonated
beverages, including coca-cola. However, many more-
the majority-were told to avoid them entirely, or use
them only in a syrup form without the carbonation. In
one reading a mixture of one-half carbonated water with
one-half plain water added to the syrup was suggested.
The term plain water was usually used to designate what
the cola syrup was to be mixed with for consumption,
probably meaning pure water.
Carbonated: Yes or No?
A number of statements in the readings express
emphatically that a certain substance is not to be
consumed-with no explanation or reason given. Luckily
we have access to others’ readings to compare, contrast,
and “flesh out” these statements. In some instances,
then-using the topic “coca-cola” as an example-an
individual may be told that carbonated beverages were
either all right or not to be consumed at all, yet coca-cola
was OK if taken in moderation. Here are some examples
from these readings:
“Carbonated drinks may be taken,
especially Coca-Cola or those of such
derivatives. These will aid especially in
purifying the activity and coordinating
same through the kidneys and the
eliminating system.” (849-26)
“Just leave off…the carbonated
waters, save Coca-Cola…” (1724-2)
“Keep away from any carbonated
waters, save at times-or rather
regularly-we would take a little Coca-
Cola. This, with some of the activities
in same, acts upon the kidneys to aid in
relieving the tensions there.” (584-8)
“When carbonated waters or drinks
are taken, either Dr. Pepper’s or Coca-
Cola may be taken; but let such as these
be rather as any extra drink and not too
regularly-and of Soft Drinks beware.”
(487-22)
“Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola,
Cherry-Cola, Pepsi-Cola or any of
the Cola drinks, may be taken in
moderation…” (1945-1)
Note that in the last two excerpts one
individual was advised to “beware” of
soft drinks (with the exception of Dr.
Pepper or Coca-Cola), while the second
was told they were suitable to consume
“in moderation.”
In a fifty-one-year-old woman’s first
reading this recommendation was given:
“Any of the drinks where carbonated
waters are used are very well, especially
Coca-Cola or those of that nature-just
so there is not used any preservative
in the preparation of same.” (1703-1)
In a follow-up reading two months
later she asked why Coca-Cola and
carbonated beverages were good for her
and received this answer: “To prevent
the formation of gases in the system.”
(1703-2) This reason is rather surprising
since a number of people experience
the opposite effect: carbonated drinks
tend to trigger gas in their systems.
Carbonated drinks are “charged”
with carbon dioxide, a colorless,
odorless, incombustible gas that is also a
product of respiration; the gas creates
the fizz and bubbles in these soft
drinks.
As stated earlier, the majority
of people were told to avoid such
beverages altogether; however, one
exception was made: for coca-cola the
syrup alone without the carbonation
could be taken mixed with plain
water. According to certain readings,
such a combination is more beneficial,
aids circulation in general, and helps
detoxify the body. One reading,
5097-1, gave the mixture as “1/2 oz.
or 1 oz. of the syrup [added to] plain
water.” The amount of water to be
used is not mentioned. Directions on
the bottle, purchased in the present
day, recommend a dilution of 1 ounce
of syrup to 5 ounces of plain water,
or the syrup can be poured over
crushed ice.
Indications for Use
Several readings refer to Coca-Cola
as a stimulant, which might
be taken if one desires, though in
moderation. “Taken when tired,
very good; but do not gulp-drink
slowly.” (257-167) The diluted syrup
would “assist in purifying the flow
through the kidneys” (2367-1), is
“helpful for the kidneys and for the
purifying of the blood flow” (2766-1),
or it will “purify activities in kidneys
and bladder.” (3390-1) One reading
stated that this mixture “will react
with the circulation between the
kidneys and the liver, and will clear
off much of the poisons which will
be more beneficial for the activity
of the sensory system.” (5058-1)
Its beneficial effects for kidney and
bladder disorders may stem from the
syrup being both “an alkalizer and a
diuretic,” according to An Edgar Cayce
Home Medicine Guide (p. 31).
How was this beverage to be used?
“Take the Coca-Cola as a medicine, not as a drink.” (3412-1) This suggestion
probably alleviates some apprehension
about its ingredients (see below) as well
as understanding its useful purpose; thus,
it was to be drunk occasionally, as the
readings stated, or “three to four times
a week” (3109-1)-not at all guzzling it
down as a thirst quencher.
A Historical Note
On May 8, 1886, Dr. John S.
Pemberton, a pharmacist, carried a jug
of coca-cola syrup to Jacobs’ Pharmacy
located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
The solution was mixed with carbonated
water, and customers paid 5 cents a
glass for it. Up to nine drinks a day were
purchased that year. The original drink
was not bottled, but sold from a soda
fountain. Today 1.3 billion drinks of
Coca-Cola are sold daily in more than 200
countries around the world. What were the
ingredients in Dr. Pemberton’s syrup?
Today the label lists these ingredients:
high fructose corn syrup and/or sucrose,
water, caramel color, phosphoric acid,
natural flavors, and caffeine. There is
a caution noted for those on a sugar restricted
diet to consult a health-care
professional before taking it. Essentially
the syrup has the same contents as the
regular, non-diet cola soft drink, but minus
the carbonated water.
In an old notebook belonging to Dr.
Pemberton was found the original recipe.
In addition to a variety of flavorings-oils
of orange, lemon, nutmeg, cinnamon,
coriander, and neroli-the ingredients also
included vanilla extract, lime juice, and
“F.E. Coco” (misspelled), which is a fluid
extract from coca leaves. In about 1901
the cocaine was removed from the drink;
it is estimated that due to the extraction
method used (mulching the leaf in 20
percent alcohol) that a 6-ounce bottle
contained probably no more than 8.5 mg
of cocaine. Dr. Pemberton felt that the
drink’s invigorating properties came from
the coca leaf, not just from the cocaine.
Taken in a limited quantity, as the
readings suggest, plus treating it as a
medicine rather than an entertaining
beverage certainly changes the perspective
on this familiar and popular drink.
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