Soda companies a find themselves competing with water sales, be it simply spring water, vitamin and mineral enhanced water or flavored waters. The consumer has begun to respond to the negative facts about sodas – just enough to concern soda manufacturers. As a result, these companies have done three things. They have bottled their own purified water products. In addition they have bought companies which have produced and marketed flavored waters. The third move they made in order to regain and exceed market share has been to create a variety of seemingly better for you sodas. Do not be fooled by this last tactic.

Vitamins and minerals are being added to sodas. Remember, most contain caffeine which is known to leach the body of nutrients. There are conflicting factors affecting the absorption and use of these added nutrients.

The use of the word “carbonated” is being replaced by “sparkling” trying to make soda sound healthier to the consumer. Bottom line: bubbles in drinks are made by gassing liquid with carbonated gas.

No-Calorie – Zero Calorie – Low Calorie sodas. When there are no calories in these drinks, what gives them the sweet flavors? “They (the soda manufacturers) are much more skilled at using blends of sweeteners and flavor blockers to more closely simulate the taste of regular of sugared products.”* What are these sweeteners and flavor blockers made from? Be careful.

Extra energy is being added to some sodas – yes more caffeine. “Energy-infused sodas”* Energy – good energy – is being alligned with caffeine energy. To make this seem more desireable, they are adding different flavors such as berry (Vault Red Blitz).

Flavors and more flavors – “Lemon, lime, cherry, strawberry, vanilla, caramel are just a few of the tastes that have been added to colas.” * And the source of these flavors? Most probably the more cost-effective dyes created from petroleum, coal tar and chochineal beetles (red, pink and purple).

Consumers, MOMS, and KIDS, out-smart the soda manufacturers. Choose wisely for the your health and productivity. Use your smarts and drink brain fuel, water, the true energizer!

*Laura Petrecca, “So many new soft drinks, so little time”, USA Today, 3/13/2007,. p. 3B.