Washington Post May 25, 2004
The top soda companies have attempted to boost their sales for years by promoting new soft drink flavors, however profits have shown minimal growth of one-half percent a year since 1998. Now, two of the soft drink giants, Pepsi and Coca-cola, are competing against one another for the market share of carb-conscious and low-calorie consumers through the release of their mid-calorie colas.
After enduring losses from competitors and other beverages including water, industry experts have expressed uncertainty regarding the success of these new mid-calorie soft drink ventures.
The expected unveiling for Pepsi Edge, Pepsi’s mid-calorie soda, is anticipated in mid-June 2004, however advertising campaigns won’t begin until after the product has been released.
Coca-Cola gained an edge over Pepsi after the earlier unveiling of its mid-calorie drink, C2, during the final competition on “American Idol.” In addition, Coke will be giving out free samples of their new soda at a variety of venues, from grocery stores to ballparks.
As carb-counters become an increasingly strong global trend, both soda companies have plans to target this exploding market.
As reported by the Washington Post, Dave DeCecco, a Pepsi spokesman, discovered that over the past two years there was a 75 percent increase in the number of dual users--consumers who drank both diet and regular soda. This is the market Pepsi stated they hoped to attract with their new cola.
For those of you unable to decide which is worse for you, sugar or artificial sweeteners, Pepsi and Coke will make it easier for you by coming out with a new drink that will contain both. Stopping soda is clearly one of the most important physical things you can do to achieve higher levels of health.
Soda is one of the main nutritional reasons why most people suffer from health problems. Why?
Nutritionally Bankrupt - It parallels alcohol in one profound similarity--if one drinks all that sugar the appetite is relatively suppressed for nourishing foods like vegetables and that results in nutritional deficiencies. This is independent of all the damage that sugar can do.
Phosphoric Acid - May interfere with the body's ability to use calcium, which can lead to osteoporosis or softening of the teeth and bones. Phosphoric acid also neutralizes the hydrochloric acid in your stomach, which can interfere with digestion, making it difficult to utilize nutrients.
Sugar - Soft drink manufacturers are the largest single user of refined sugar in the United States. It is a proven fact that sugar increases insulin levels, which can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging and many more negative side effects. Most sodas include over 100 percent of the RDA of sugar.
Aspartame - This chemical is used as a sugar substitute in diet soda. There are over 92 different health side effects associated with aspartame consumption including brain tumors, birth defects, diabetes, emotional disorders and epilispsy/seizures. Further, when aspartame is stored for long periods of time or kept in warm areas it changes to methanol, an alcohol that converts to formaldehyde and formic acid, which are known carcinogens.
Caffeine - Caffeinated drinks cause jitters, insomnia, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, breast lumps, birth defects, and perhaps some forms of cancer.
Tap Water - I recommend that everyone avoid drinking tap water because it can carry any number of chemicals including chlorine, trihalomethanes, lead, cadmium, and various organic pollutants. Tap water is the main ingredient in bottled soft drinks.
You're welcome.
Dr. "Lips-that-touch-soda-will-never-touch-mine" Bob
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