Diet soda
581712
225922083
2008-07-16T00:59:50Z
209.30.172.155
/* Incomplete list of major diet soda brands or brands with diet versions, with sweetener(s) */
{{globalize}}
'''Diet sodas''' (also '''diet pop''', '''diet''', '''sugar-free''', or '''light''' '''[[soft drink]]s''', '''refreshments''', or '''carbonated beverages''') are [[sugar]]-free, [[artificial sweetener|artificially sweetened]], non-[[alcoholic beverage|alcoholic]] [[carbonated]] [[beverage]]s generally marketed towards health-conscious people, [[Diabetes|diabetics]], [[Sports|athletes]], and other people who want to lose weight or stay fit.
==Sweetening==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=August 2007}}
Different artificial sweeteners are used instead of sugar to give diet soda a sweet taste and some are often used simultaneously. Opinion is mixed as to the taste of these beverages: some think they lack the taste of their sugar-sweetened counterparts, others think the taste is similar. Some also note an unusual non-sugary [[aftertaste]]. Some feel the opposite—that diet soda has no aftertaste and that soda sweetened by [[high fructose corn syrup]] has a gritty, over-sweet aftertaste.
===Aspartame===
[[Aspartame]], commonly known by the brand name [[NutraSweet]], is one of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners. It had the commercial disadvantage of being linked in the public mind with [[cancer]], and by the mid-1980s, American manufacturers were switching en masse from saccharin to aspartame. The 1982 introduction of aspartame-sweetened [[Diet Coke]] accelerated this trend. Today, at least in the United States, "diet" is nearly synonymous with the use of aspartame in beverages.
===Cyclamates===
The first artificial sweeteners used in diet soda were [[cyclamate]]s (often [[synergy|synergistically]] with saccharin). While many say these cyclamate-sweetened soda had a more pleasant taste than the diet soda that followed them, in 1970 the [[Food and Drug Administration]] banned cyclamates in the [[United States]] on evidence that they caused cancer in lab [[rats]]. Cyclamates are still used in many countries around the world, including for diet soda.
===Saccharin===
Once cyclamates were banned, American producers turned to [[saccharin]]. Saccharin alone was often criticized for having a bitter taste and "chemical" aftertaste. Some manufacturers, such as [[Coca-Cola]] with [[Tab (soft drink)|Tab]], attempted to rectify this by adding a small amount of sugar. In 1977, the FDA was petitioned to ban saccharin, too, as a [[carcinogen]], but a moratorium was placed on the ban until studies were conducted. The ban was lifted in 1991, but by that time, virtually all diet soda production had shifted to using aspartame. Perhaps the most notable holdout is [[Tab (soft drink)|Tab]], which nevertheless also uses some aspartame in its formula.
===Sucralose and acesulfame potassium; "sugar-free" sodas===
Recently two other sweeteners, [[sucralose]] (marketed as [[Splenda]]) and [[Acesulfame potassium]] ("Sunett" or "Ace K" (the [[potassium|K]] is the chemical symbol for potassium) which is usually used in conjunction with aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin rather than alone) have come into growing use, particularly by smaller beverage producers (e.g. [[Big Red (drink)|Big Red]]). [[Diet Rite]] is the non-aspartame diet soda brand with the highest sales today; it uses a combination of sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Advocates say drinks employing these sweeteners have a more natural sugar-like taste than those made just with aspartame and do not have a strong aftertaste. The newer aspartame-free drinks can also be safely consumed by [[phenylketonuria|phenylketonurics]], because they do not contain [[phenylalanine]]. Critics say the taste is not better, merely different, or note that the long-term health risks of all or certain artificial sweeteners is unclear.
The widespread, though not universal, agreement that the newest formulations taste much more "normal" (sugar-like) than the older diet sodas have prompted some producers, such as [[Jones Soda]], to abandon the "diet" label entirely in favor of "sugar-free soda," implying that the taste is good enough to drink the soda even when not trying to lose weight. (This idea was first floated by [[Diet Coke]] in 1984, with the tagline, "Just For the Taste of It.")
In 2005, the [[Coca-Cola Company]] announced it would produce a new formulation of [[Diet Coke]] sweetened with sucralose, to be called [[Diet Coke with Splenda]], but it would continue to produce the aspartame version as well. There were also rumors that a sugar-free version of [[Coca-Cola Classic]], also sweetened with sucralose, was being formulated as well. This formulation was eventually called [[Coca-Cola Zero]], though it is sweetened with aspartame.
==History==
The beginning of the diet soda or refreshment era was in 1952, when Kirsch Bottling in [[Brooklyn, New York]] launched a sugar free [[ginger ale]] called [[No-Cal]]. It was designed for diabetics, not dieters, and distribution remained local. [[Royal Crown Cola]] placed an announcement in an [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] newspaper in 1958 announcing a diet soda product, [[Diet Rite]]. In 1963, the [[Coca-Cola Company]] joined the diet soda market with [[Tab (soft drink)|Tab]], which proved to be a huge success. Tab was originally sweetened with [[cyclamates]] and [[saccharin]].
Tab, Diet Rite, and [[Fresca]] (a grapefruit-flavored soda introduced by Coca-Cola) were about the only well-known diet refreshment on the markets until [[Pepsi]] released [[Diet Pepsi]] in the 1960s (initially as '''Patio Diet Cola'''). Coca-Cola countered by releasing [[Diet Coke]] in 1982. After the release of Diet Coke, Tab took a backseat at the Coca-Cola production lines; Diet Coke could be more easily identified by consumers as associated with [[Coca-Cola]] than Tab. Also, a study was released revealing that saccharin was a possible [[carcinogen]], leading to Coca-Cola's decision of pushing Tab's production numbers down. During the middle 1980s also, the [[alcohol]] industry began to follow lead to the refreshment industry, with some [[beer]] companies putting sugar-free beer on the market.
By the start of the 1990s, a wide array of different companies had their own diet refreshments on [[List of supermarkets|supermarket]] shelves. Tab made a comeback during the late 1990s, after new studies demonstrated that saccharin is not an important factor in the risk of cancer. Nevertheless, the Coca-Cola Company has maintained its 1984 reformulation, replacing some of the saccharin in Tab with NutraSweet.
By 2002, some soda companies had diversified to include such flavors as [[vanilla]] and [[lemon]] among their products, and diet sodas were soon begun to be produced with those flavors too (see [[Diet Vanilla Coke]], [[Diet Pepsi Vanilla]]). By 2004, several alcohol companies had begun to release sugar-free or "diet" alcoholic products too.<ref>[http://www.americanheritage.com/events/articles/web/20060619-soda-diet-tab-diet-coke-diet-pepsi.shtml "Sweet Nothing—The Triumph Of Diet Soda: It came out of a Brooklyn hospital and in very few years changed not only what Americans drink but how they see themselves"] By Benjamin Siegel</ref>
==Health concerns==
Along with possible health concerns of [[Sugar substitute#Sugar substitute health controversies|sugar substitutes]] and [[caffeine]] overuse, the effectiveness of diet soda as a weight loss tool should also be considered.
Changing the food energy intake from one food will not necessarily change a person's overall food energy intake, or cause a person to lose weight. One study,<ref>[http://my.webmd.com/content/article/107/108476.htm "Drink More Diet Soda, Gain More Weight? Overweight Risk Soars 41% With Each Daily Can of Diet Soft Drink"] By Daniel J. DeNoon</ref> at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, reported by Sharon Fowler at the ADA annual meeting, actually suggested the opposite, where consumption of diet soda was correlated with weight gain. While Fowler did suggest that the undelivered expected calories from diet soda may stimulate the appetite, the [[correlation does not imply causation|correlation does not prove]] that consumption of diet soda caused the weight gain. The weight gain may have caused the consumption of diet soda. The ADA has yet to issue an updated policy concerning diet soda, and may face a conflict of interest in doing so, as they are now in partnership with candy and soda companies.<ref>[http://www.diabetes.org/for-media/2005-press-releases/cadbury-schweppes.jsp Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages joins American Diabetes Association in the fight against diabetes, obesity]</ref>
An independent study by researchers with the [[Framingham Heart Study]] in Massachusetts, has turned up results which indicate that the consumption of diet soda correlates with increased [[metabolic syndrome]]. Of the 9,000 males and females studied, findings stated that 48% of the subjects were at higher risk for weight gain and elevated [[blood sugar]]. The researchers also acknowledged that diet soda drinkers were less likely to consume healthy foods, and that drinking diet soda flavored with artificial sweeteners more than likely increases cravings for sugar flavored sweets.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118523105635575469.html "Exploring a Surprising Link Between Obesity and Diet Soda"] By TARA PARKER-POPE (July 24, 2007).</ref>
Individuals who drink excessive amounts of regular soda may experience weight loss if they switch to diet soda.<ref>[http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Diet_Soda_and_Weight_Loss Diet Soda and Weight Loss]</ref>
Animal studies have convincingly proven that artificial sweeteners cause body weight gain. A sweet taste induces an insulin response, which causes blood sugar to be stored in tissues (including fat), but because blood sugar does not increase with artificial sugars, there is hypoglycemia and increased food intake the next time there is a meal. After a while, rats given sweeteners have steadily increased caloric intake, increased body weight, and increased adiposity (fatness). Furthermore, the natural responses to eating sugary foods (eating less at the next meal and using some of the extra calories to warm the body after the sugary meal).<ref>Swithers SE, Davidson TL. A role for sweet taste: calorie predictive relations in energy regulation by rats. Behav Neurosci. 2008 Feb;122(1):161-73.</ref> Adding saccharin to the food of calves increases their body weight as well.<ref>McMeniman JP, Rivera JD, Schlegel P, Rounds W, Galyean ML. Effects of an artificial sweetener on health, performance, and dietary preference of feedlot cattle. J Anim Sci. 2006 Sep;84(9):2491-500.</ref>
==Nomenclature==
For cultural reasons, in some countries outside the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], the term "light" is often used instead of "diet". The word ''diet'' in these countries typically refers to the programs given by doctors to patients who need to lose weight, and not as a way to describe food products.
==Reduced-calorie soda==
In an effort to cash in on the surging popularity of [[low-carbohydrate diet]]s, in 2004 both [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] and [[Pepsico]] released reduced-calorie versions of their flagship sodas that contain approximately half the sugar of the regular version. The [[Pepsi]] variant, [[Pepsi Edge]], is sweetened with sucralose and corn syrup. The sweetening of the [[Coca-Cola]] variant, [[Coca-Cola C2]], is a combination of corn syrup, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose.
In May 2005, Pepsi announced that they will abandon the market by the end of the year, citing lackluster sales. It is rumored that Coke is soon to follow suit.
Half the sugar of a can of regular cola is still more sugar than many people on popular low-carbohydrate diets are permitted to have in a day. It is possible that these sodas are targeted, instead, at so-called "carb-conscious consumers" who are paying attention to, but not trying to drastically reduce, their carbohydrate intake.
==Incomplete list of diet soda brands with sweetener(s)==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Product
! [[Aspartame]]
! [[Sucralose]]
! [[Acesulfame potassium]]
! [[Saccharin]]
! [[Xylitol]]
! [[Stevia]]
|-
| [[7 Up]] Plus (multiple flavors)<ref>[http://www.7up.com/7uptext/7upplusnutrition.asp 7UP PLUS Nutritional Facts]</ref>
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[AriZona Diet Green Tea]]
|
| Y
|
|
|
|
|-
| Blenheim's Diet Ginger Ale <ref>[http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/detail.cfm?link=121 Blenheim's Diet Ginger Ale - Ginger Beer/Ales,Diet Sodas - Soda Pop<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| Boylan's Diet (multiple flavors) <ref>[http://www.boylanbottling.com/ Boylan Bottling]</ref>
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Coca-Cola C2]] (contains corn syrup)
| Y
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Coca-Cola Zero]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Cricket Diet Cola]] <ref>[http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/detail.cfm?link=582 Cricket Diet Cola: The Green Tea Cola - Colas,Something Different,High Energy,Diet Sodas - Soda Pop<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|
| Y
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Crystal Light]] (bottles)
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[7 Up]]<ref>[http://www.7up.com/7uptext/diet7upnutrition2.asp Diet 7UP Nutritional Facts]</ref>
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[A&W Root Beer]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Barq's]] Root Beer
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet Big Red
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Canada Dry]]
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Diet Cherry Coke]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet Cherry Vanilla [[Dr Pepper]]
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Diet Coke]]
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Diet Coke with Lemon]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Diet Coke with Lime]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Diet Coke with Splenda]]
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Dr Pepper]]
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Dr Pepper]] Berries & Cream
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet Kist
| colspan="6" align="center" | Unknown
|-
| Diet [[Kola Champagne]] ([[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] soda)
| colspan="6" align="center" | Unknown
|-
| Diet [[Lipton]] Green Tea
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|Diet [[Materva]] (with [[mate]])
| colspan="6" align="center" | Unknown
|-
|[[Diet Mountain Dew]]
| Y
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Mug Root Beer]]
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Orange Crush]] (available in Canada)
|
| Y
|
|
|
|
|-
|Diet Orange [[Tropicana Twister Soda]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Diet Pepsi]]
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|Diet [[Pepsi]] Jazz (multiple flavors)
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|Diet [[Pepsi Lime]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Diet Pepsi Vanilla]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[RC Cola]]
|
| Y
|
|
|
|
|-
|Diet [[Red Bull]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Diet Rite]] (multiple flavors)
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|Diet [[Rockstar energy drink|Rockstar]]
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Safeway Inc.|Safeway]] Select
| colspan="6" align="center" | Unknown
|-
| Diet [[Schweppes]] Ginger Ale<ref>[http://www.schweppesus.com/ Schweppes]</ref>
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| Diet [[Slice (soft drink)|Slice]] (orange flavor)
| colspan="6" align="center" | Unknown
|-
|[[Diet Sprite Zero]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|Diet [[Sunkist]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Diet Vanilla Coke]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|Diet [[Wild Cherry Pepsi]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Dr. Brown's Diet (multiple flavors) <ref>[http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/detail.cfm?link=313 Dr. Brown's Diet Black Cherry Soda - Flavors,Diet Sodas,Kosher - Soda Pop<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[Fresca]] (multiple flavors)
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Hansen Beverage Company|Hansen's Natural Soda]]
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Pepsi ONE]]
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Sierra Mist Free]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Slice ONE]] (multiple flavors)
|
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
|[[Soda Club]] (multiple flavors)
|
| Y
| Some
|
|
|
|-
| Stewart's Diet Root Beer <ref>[http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/detail.cfm?link=153 Stewart's Fountain Classics Diet Root Beer - Root Beer,Diet Sodas,Kosher - Soda Pop<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
| Y
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|Sugar Free [[Full Throttle (drink)|Full Throttle]]
|
| Y
| Y
| Y
|
|
|-
|Sugar Free [[Full Throttle (drink)|Full Throttle]] Fury
|
| Y
| Y
| Y
|
|
|-
| Sugar Free [[Jones Soda]]
|
| Y
| Some
|
|
|
|-
|Sugar Free [[Mountain Dew MDX]]
| Y
| Y
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| [[Tab (soft drink)|Tab]]
| Y
|
|
| Y
|
|
|-
|[[Vault Zero]]
| Y
|
| Y
|
|
|
|-
| Virgil's Diet (multiple flavors) <ref>[http://www.sodapopstop.com/products/detail.cfm?link=744 Virgil's Diet Black Cherry Cream Soda - Cream Sodas,Flavors,Diet Sodas - Soda Pop<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|
|
|
|
| Y
| Y
|}
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* [http://www.dietco.la Information about Diet Soda and Artificial sweeteners]
[[Category:Soft drinks]]
[[sv:Lightläsk]]