Leena Watts
Several companies make diet colas sweetened with stevia, a natural, zero-calorie sugar substitute that is significantly sweeter than sugar. Coca-Cola, for example, has used stevia in 45 of its products worldwide, including Coca-Cola Life, Vitamin Water Zero, and Fuze Meyer Lemon Black Tea. Pepsi has also launched a stevia-sweetened product called Pepsi True, and other brands such as Zevia and Green Cola offer stevia-sweetened colas. However, stevia has a bitter aftertaste that some people dislike, and it doesn't taste exactly like sugar, so its addition to diet colas has received mixed reviews.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Companies that make diet cola with stevia | Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Zevia, Bai, Starbucks, Green Cola, Vitamizu |
| Coca-Cola products containing stevia | Coca-Cola Life, Vitamin Water Zero, Fuze Meyer Lemon Black Tea, Blue Sky Zero Sugar Cola |
| PepsiCo products containing stevia | Pepsi True |
| Bai products containing stevia | Super Teas, Antioxidant infusions, Bai Bubbles, Coconut Water Antioxidant infusions (CocoFusion) |
| Starbucks products containing stevia | Starbucks Refreshers |
| Zevia products containing stevia | Cola, Root Beer, Fruit Options |
| Green Cola | Launched in 2012 in Greece, now available worldwide |
| Vitamizu | Polish beverage company |
| Advantages of stevia | All-natural, 0-calorie sugar substitute, 250-300 times sweeter than sugar |
| Disadvantages of stevia | Bitter aftertaste, doesn't taste like sugar |
| Health benefits | May have beneficial hyperglycemic effects, but research is inconclusive |
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What You'll Learn
Coca-Cola Life
The formulation of Coca-Cola Life varied by location, and in some areas, the original formulation was phased out for a zero-calorie version sweetened with stevia only. In 2016, the drink was reformulated to contain 45% less sugar than regular Coke. Despite these efforts, Coca-Cola Life was discontinued in 2020 due to decreasing sales and the increasing popularity of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar.
Despite its eventual discontinuation, Coca-Cola Life was well-loved by some consumers, who appreciated its health benefits and taste. It is considered by some to be a step in the right direction for the company, providing a healthier alternative to high-fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.
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Pepsi True
The drink was developed over three years, with PepsiCo's chief marketing officer at Pepsi Beverages North America, Simon Lowden, stating:
> "It's taken us three years to get to a place we feel good about. No one is willing to give up on taste. Taste is king."
The sweetener stevia is derived from a plant native to Paraguay in South America and has been used for over 200 years. It gained popularity in the mid- to late 2000s as a 0-calorie sugar substitute. It is significantly sweeter than sugar and is often used as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners.
However, stevia has a bitter aftertaste that is hard to mask, and consumers have mixed feelings about it. This has been a challenge for major soda manufacturers like Pepsi and Coca-Cola, which have launched drinks containing stevia with limited availability. To improve the taste of its sweeteners, PepsiCo is experimenting with a substance called Sweetmyx, which enhances the taste of sugar, stevia, and other sweeteners. The company is also considering alternative natural sweeteners, such as monk fruit.
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Green Cola
Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, which is native to South America. It has been used as a sweetener for over a decade, particularly for those who want to reduce their sugar intake without resorting to artificial sweeteners. Stevia is significantly sweeter than sugar, with a sweetness that is 200-300 times more potent.
While stevia has gained popularity as a natural, zero-calorie sweetener, it has faced challenges due to its bitter aftertaste, which can be unappealing to some consumers. However, Green Cola claims to have addressed this issue, with its overall taste being similar to Coke, but with a faintly herbal aftertaste.
In conclusion, Green Cola offers a unique proposition by combining the familiar taste of cola with the health and natural benefits of stevia leaf extract. While stevia's aftertaste has been a point of contention, Green Cola has seemingly found a balance that appeals to consumers seeking a healthier alternative to regular or diet cola options.
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Zevia Cola
The use of stevia as a sweetener has been a topic of interest and debate. Stevia is a plant native to Paraguay in South America and has been used as a sweetener for centuries. It gained popularity in the 2000s as a natural, zero-calorie sugar substitute. However, it has been noted that stevia has a distinct sweet taste that is different from sugar and can have a bitter aftertaste. This has presented challenges for beverage companies aiming to create products that align with consumers' taste expectations.
Despite the mixed reactions to stevia's taste, Zevia Cola has received generally positive reviews. Many consumers appreciate the combination of flavours, the absence of sugar and artificial ingredients, and the healthier option it provides compared to regular soda. Some reviewers particularly enjoy the citrus and spice notes in Zevia Cola, and the variety of flavours the brand offers.
In summary, Zevia Cola is a stevia-sweetened, zero-sugar, and zero-calorie soda brand that offers a range of flavours. While stevia's taste can be polarizing, Zevia Cola has been well-received by consumers seeking a healthier alternative to traditional sugary drinks.
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Vitamin Water Zero
The Coca-Cola company has used stevia in 45 of its products worldwide, including Vitamin Water Zero. However, consumers have mixed feelings about stevia. While it is attractive to those who want to consume less sugar and avoid artificial sweeteners, it has a bitter aftertaste that can be hard to mask. When Coca-Cola added stevia to the full-calorie version of Vitamin Water in 2014, fans of the drink hated it and the company had to change back to the original formula.
Stevia is a herbal sweetener that gained popularity in the mid- to late 2000s as a 0-calorie sugar substitute. It is derived from a plant called Stevia rebaudiana and is considered "all-natural". Stevia is much sweeter than sugar, but it doesn't taste like sugar. It has been used as a sweetener for over a decade in the US and was approved as a food additive in 2008.
Research on stevia's effects on blood sugar levels is inconclusive. While one study found that stevia can elevate insulin levels in rats, another study showed that drinks with nonnutritive sweeteners did not significantly change long-term blood sugar or insulin levels compared to sugar-sweetened beverages.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several brands that make diet cola with stevia, including Coke, Pepsi, Green Cola, and Zevia.
Stevia is a herbal sweetener that is derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant native to Paraguay in South America. It has been used as a sweetener for over a decade and is often seen as a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners.
Stevia is a popular alternative to artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose, as it is natural and has zero calories. It is also much sweeter than sugar, so less is needed to achieve the same level of sweetness.
Some examples of diet cola with stevia include Coca-Cola Life, Pepsi True, Green Cola, and Zevia Cola. Coca-Cola Life is a blend of cane sugar and stevia leaf extract, resulting in 35% fewer calories and less sugar than traditional Coke. Pepsi True is a stevia/sugar-sweetened product with 30% less sugar than original Pepsi.
Opinions on the taste of stevia in diet cola vary. Some people prefer it because it is a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners, while others find that it has a bitter or herbal aftertaste that is not similar to the taste of sugar.
