Brenda Khan
Coca-Cola Freestyle is a touchscreen soda fountain introduced by The Coca-Cola Company in 2009, offering 165 different Coca-Cola drink products, including Coca-Cola Zero. The popularity of zero-calorie drinks has grown due to their appeal to health-conscious consumers and those reducing sugar intake. However, the health effects of these drinks are debated, with some studies suggesting they may not aid weight loss and could even lead to weight gain. Despite containing few to no calories, artificial sweeteners in these drinks may increase the risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and kidney problems. While some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners can lead to modest weight loss, the best approach to weight loss is a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | Zero or very few calories |
| Sugar | Little or no sugar |
| Weight loss | Research suggests no effect on weight loss, and may even lead to weight gain |
| Health concerns | Possible increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes |
| Sweeteners | Artificial or natural sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, or cyclamate |
| Caffeine | Some diet drinks contain caffeine |
| Vitamins and minerals | Some manufacturers add vitamins and minerals |
| Examples | Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, Sprite Zero, Dr. Pepper Diet, Tab, La Casera, No-Cal, Pepsi Edge, etc. |
| Coca-Cola Freestyle | Touch screen soda fountain introduced in 2009 with 165 Coca-Cola drink products and custom flavors |
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What You'll Learn
Do diet drinks cause weight gain?
The short answer is that it is unclear whether diet drinks cause weight gain. While some studies have found a correlation between the consumption of diet drinks and weight gain, other studies have found no link between the two.
The Case for Weight Gain
Some studies have found that drinking diet drinks may lead to an increase in appetite and weight gain. One theory is that the artificial sweeteners in diet drinks confuse the body, leading to increased hunger and cravings for sweet, high-calorie foods. This could result in a higher intake of calories, ultimately leading to weight gain. Additionally, carbonated beverages may have negative effects on appetite and weight, as suggested by a study that found increased ghrelin levels (a hormone that controls hunger) in students who drank carbonated drinks compared to those who drank water or flat soda.
The Case Against Weight Gain
On the other hand, some research suggests that diet drinks may not directly cause weight gain. For example, a study on overweight participants found that those who drank diet soda for a year experienced more weight loss than those who drank water. Another study by obesity researcher Barry Popkin found that the science behind the claims of weight gain is inconclusive. Nutrition researcher David L. Katz agrees, stating that the research linking diet sodas to weight gain is scant and inconclusive.
Alternatives to Diet Drinks
While the evidence for weight gain from diet drinks is not conclusive, it may be worth considering alternatives if you are concerned about your health. Water is always a healthy choice, and unsweetened tea or fruit-infused water can also be good options. If you are looking for a carbonated beverage, there are drink machines that offer a range of low-calorie alternatives to traditional soda.
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Are artificial sweeteners bad for you?
Artificial sweeteners are controversial, and while they are designed to be a healthier alternative to sugar, there are some concerns about their health effects.
Firstly, artificial sweeteners are far sweeter than sugar, and it is thought that they may change the way we taste food. This could mean that people who use them begin to find naturally sweet foods, like fruit, less appealing, and may even start to find them unpalatable. As a result, people may consume more artificially flavoured foods with less nutritional value. Artificial sweeteners have also been linked to an increased craving for sweet, high-calorie foods, which could lead to weight gain. Some studies have found a link between the use of artificial sweeteners and an increased risk of obesity, but this is not consistent across all human studies.
There are also concerns about other health risks, including certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and kidney problems, but the evidence for this is not strong. The American Heart Association (AHA) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) have cautiously approved the use of artificial sweeteners to combat obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes, which are risk factors for heart disease.
It is worth noting that artificial sweeteners are not a magic bullet and should be used as part of a smart, overall approach to health. Dietitians recommend cutting back on highly refined foods and beverages with added sugars and artificial sweeteners, but not removing all carbohydrates.
Natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit, derived from plants, are considered safe by the FDA and provide the benefits of both artificial and natural sweeteners. They are also less processed than artificial sweeteners.
Overall, while artificial sweeteners may be a better alternative to sugar for some people, more research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects on health.
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What are the ingredients of diet drinks?
Diet drinks are generally understood to be free of sugar and calories. However, the health effects of diet drinks and artificial sweeteners are controversial. While some studies have found that replacing sugar-sweetened drinks with diet soda can result in weight loss, others suggest that artificially sweetened diet sodas may create a craving for sweet, high-calorie foods, leading to weight gain. There are also concerns about the potential health risks of artificial sweeteners, including a possible increased risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and kidney problems, although the evidence for this is not strong.
The ingredients of diet drinks can vary from brand to brand, but some common ingredients include:
- Carbonated water: Most sodas are made by dissolving carbon dioxide into water under pressure.
- Sweeteners: Common artificial sweeteners used in diet drinks include aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, and herbal sweeteners like stevia, which are 200–13,000 times sweeter than regular sugar. Some diet drinks may also use sugar and a sweetener together, such as Coca-Cola Life, which contains stevia.
- Acids: Certain acids, such as citric, malic, and phosphoric acid, are used to add tartness to soda drinks, but they are also linked to tooth enamel erosion.
- Colors: The most commonly used colors in diet drinks are carotenoids, anthocyanins, and caramels.
- Flavors: Many different kinds of natural juices or artificial flavors are used in diet drinks, including fruits, berries, herbs, and cola.
- Preservatives: These help diet drinks last longer on the shelf. A commonly used preservative is potassium benzoate.
- Vitamins and minerals: Some manufacturers add vitamins and minerals to market their products as healthier no-calorie alternatives.
- Caffeine: Many diet drinks contain caffeine, just like their regular soda counterparts. For example, a can of Diet Coke contains 46 mg of caffeine, while Diet Pepsi contains 35 mg.
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Are there alternatives to Coke Freestyle?
Coca-Cola Freestyle is a touchscreen soda fountain introduced by The Coca-Cola Company in 2009. The machine features 165 different Coca-Cola drink products, as well as custom flavours. The machine allows users to select from mixtures of flavours of Coca-Cola-branded products, which are then individually dispensed.
In 2014, Pepsi launched a competing machine, the Pepsi Spire. The Pepsi Spire features similar microdispensing technology and cabinetry designed by Italian automotive design firm Pininfarina.
In 2018, Coca-Cola unveiled a new iteration of the Freestyle machine, which included a 24-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth support, and new hardware features. This iteration of the machine allows customers to choose a base product and supplement it with additional flavouring.
Some alternatives to the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine include:
- Pepsi Spire
- Machines found at Firehouse Subs, which feature the chain's signature Cherry Lime-Aid
- Machines found at Moe's Southwest Grill, which feature exclusive flavours such as Vanilla at Peachtree and Moe-Rita
- Machines found at Wendy's, which feature an exclusive orange cream flavour
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Do diet drinks have any health benefits?
Diet drinks are beverages that contain zero or very few calories and no significant nutrition. They are sweetened with artificial or natural sweeteners instead of sugar. Popular examples include Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, and Sprite Zero.
The health effects of consuming diet drinks are controversial. On the one hand, some studies suggest that drinking diet soda can lead to weight loss, especially when used as a replacement for sugar-sweetened drinks. This is because a person can eliminate a significant number of "empty" calories by switching to a zero-calorie alternative. For instance, one study found that participants who drank 24 ounces of diet soda per day for a year experienced an average weight loss of 13.7 pounds, compared to 5.5 pounds in the water group.
However, other research suggests that diet drinks may not aid in weight loss and could even lead to weight gain. One theory is that the intense sweetness of artificial sweeteners may create a craving for sweet, high-calorie foods, resulting in increased calorie intake and potential weight gain. Additionally, some studies have linked the consumption of artificial sweeteners to an increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other health concerns such as certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and kidney problems. However, the evidence for these links is not strong enough to be conclusive.
It is worth noting that, while plain water is the best option for hydration and nutrition, it may not be the most appealing choice for everyone. In such cases, a low-calorie carbonated beverage may be a reasonable alternative to regular soda, as long as one monitors their overall diet and weight.
In conclusion, while diet drinks offer a way to reduce sugar and calorie intake, they do not provide any additional health benefits and may even carry potential health risks. Therefore, while they can be a better option than sugary drinks, they should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Diet Freestyle drinks are zero-calorie.
Diet drinks are generally considered to be neither "healthy" nor "unhealthy". They have no nutritional value, but they can help reduce your calorie intake. Some research suggests that consuming low-calorie drinks can decrease energy intake and body weight, especially when they replace sugar-sweetened beverages. However, other studies have found that drinking diet drinks may lead to an increased appetite for sweet, high-calorie foods, potentially leading to weight gain.
There is some controversy surrounding the health effects of artificial sweeteners. Some studies suggest that they may increase the risk of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, and kidney problems, but the evidence for this is not strong.
Diet Freestyle drinks are available at select Coca-Cola partners and retail locations, including some universities and restaurant chains such as Burger King, Firehouse Subs, Wendy's, Jack in the Box, and Five Guys.
