Chemical Beverage Signatures Allow Geographical Tracking of People By What They've Been Drinking
Trackable Beverages This tap water "isoscape" map shows how hydrogen and oxygen isotopes vary throughout the country. Geographic factors like latitude, altitude and proximity to coasts all play a role in this isotopic variation. The cities on the map show where the researchers tested tap water along with bottled water, soda and beer. ACS/Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Your beer can tell you where you've been, according to a new study by researchers in Utah. No, not because of the strength of your hangover -- it's all about chemistry. Beer, bottled water and soda have a natural chemical signature related to geographic location, and drinking them leaves a chemical fingerprint in your hair. The fingerprint could be used to track your travels over time, according to the study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. It works by measuring different isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen. The proportion of...