Dante Carrillo
PepsiCo, the company that makes Pepsi, uses Splenda in several of its soft drinks, including Diet Pepsi. Splenda, or sucralose, is an artificial sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is often used as a replacement for sugar to reduce calorie intake and blood sugar spikes. While Diet Pepsi with Splenda is available in cans and bottles, the fountain syrup version of Diet Pepsi still uses the Aspartame-free/Splenda recipe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sweetener | Splenda, Aspartame, Sucralose |
| Calories | Zero |
| Carbohydrates | Zero |
| Blood Sugar Impact | None |
| Nutritional Value | None |
| Health Effects | None proven |
| Availability | Bottled/Canned, Fountain Syrup |
| Nutritional Information | Varies by packaging and serving size |
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What You'll Learn
Diet Pepsi with Splenda is zero calories and carbs
PepsiCo, the company that makes Pepsi, uses Splenda in a variety of its soft drinks, including Diet Pepsi. Splenda is a non-nutritive sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is made through a chemical process in which three hydrogen-oxygen groups are replaced with chlorine atoms. This process results in a sweetener that does not occur in nature and is not metabolized by the body, meaning it has zero calories.
Diet Pepsi with Splenda is a zero-calorie and zero-carb beverage. It has a light, crisp taste and is sweetened with Splenda, providing a refreshing alternative to the sugar-sweetened version of the drink. The use of Splenda in Diet Pepsi allows consumers to reduce their sugar intake while still enjoying the flavour of the drink.
While Splenda helps consumers save on calories, it does not provide any nutritional benefits. It contains no vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, or antioxidants that support a healthy body. Additionally, Splenda has no effect on blood sugar levels.
It is important to note that not all versions of Diet Pepsi are sweetened with Splenda. Since 2018, bottled and canned Diet Pepsi have reverted to using the old recipe with aspartame as the sweetener. However, the fountain version of Diet Pepsi still uses the Aspartame-free/Splenda recipe. Therefore, consumers who wish to avoid certain ingredients or include Splenda in their diet should carefully read the labels to ensure they are getting the desired product.
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Pepsi switched back to aspartame for the sweetener in Diet Pepsi in 2018
PepsiCo Inc. announced in 2018 that it would be reintroducing aspartame as the sweetener in its flagship Diet Pepsi product. This marked a reversal of the company's decision just three years prior to remove the controversial ingredient from its ingredient list entirely.
Aspartame, an artificial sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar, is commonly used to sweeten diet sodas. However, it has faced scrutiny due to conflicting research and health concerns. In 2015, PepsiCo removed aspartame from Diet Pepsi, replacing it with a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium in some of its diet offerings.
The decision to bring back aspartame was driven by declining sales of Diet Pepsi. In 2017, sales of the aspartame-free version dropped by 8%, while Diet Coke, which continued to use aspartame, saw a smaller decline of 2.5%. By reintroducing aspartame, PepsiCo aimed to appeal to brand loyalists who preferred the original taste. The company also intended to provide consumers with more choices in diet colas, catering to varying taste preferences.
Despite the controversy surrounding aspartame, the FDA-approved ingredient has been used in Diet Coke without issue. PepsiCo's decision to remove and then reinstate aspartame highlights the complexities of navigating consumer preferences and health considerations in the beverage market, particularly as consumers become more health-conscious and diverse in their drink choices.
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Pepsi's other products that contain Splenda
PepsiCo, the company that manufactures Pepsi, offers a variety of products that contain Splenda, also known as sucralose. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is significantly sweeter than sugar but contains zero calories as it is not metabolized by the body.
One of the most well-known Pepsi products that contain Splenda is Diet Pepsi, which is marketed as a zero-calorie, zero-carb beverage with a light and crisp taste. In the past, Diet Pepsi used the sweetener aspartame, but the company made the switch to Splenda, which some consumers preferred due to health concerns associated with aspartame.
In addition to Diet Pepsi, PepsiCo offers a range of other beverages that contain Splenda. This includes Aquafina flavoured waters, Brisk teas, and fruit-blend drinks. The company also uses Splenda in some of its energy drinks, such as Kickstart, and in its diet iced tea products like Diet Lipton teas, Pure Leaf diet iced teas, and Propel.
Pepsico's Mountain Dew brand also has several products that contain Splenda. Both the regular and caffeine-free versions of Diet Mountain Dew are made with Splenda, in addition to other sweeteners like aspartame. The Mountain Dew Kickstart line of energy drinks is also made with Splenda, providing a range of flavour options with reduced sugar content.
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Pepsi's other products that contain aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener commonly used in many diet and sugar-free drinks. It is often known by the brand name Equal. While aspartame has been the subject of health scrutiny, with a health agency warning that it may be a carcinogen, some dispute the risks associated with the ingredient.
PepsiCo removed aspartame from Diet Pepsi in 2015, but sales flopped, and it was quickly reintroduced. Today, aspartame is one of the top three ingredients in Diet Pepsi.
PepsiCo also uses aspartame in other products, including:
- Diet Pepsi in caffeine-free form
- Diet Wild Cherry Pepsi
- Diet Pepsi in coffee-flavored form
- Diet Mountain Dew
Aspartame is also found in thousands of other products, including other sodas, teas, gums, energy drinks, and drink mixes.
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Why Splenda is used in food and drink products
Splenda is an artificial sweetener commonly used as a sugar substitute in food and drink products. It is a popular choice for sweetening due to its negligible calorie content and minimal impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. Here are some reasons why Splenda is used in food and drink products:
Taste
Splenda is known for its sweet taste, which is similar to that of sugar. This makes it a desirable ingredient for enhancing the flavour of food and drink products, especially those marketed as low-calorie or diet options.
Calorie Reduction
Splenda contains sucralose, which is almost calorie-free. By replacing sugar with Splenda, food and drink manufacturers can create reduced-calorie products that appeal to consumers who are conscious of their calorie intake. This is particularly beneficial for people with diabetes or those monitoring their weight.
Blood Sugar Control
Unlike regular sugar, Splenda does not cause a spike in blood sugar levels. This makes it a suitable option for individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance, as it helps maintain stable blood glucose levels.
Heat Stability
Splenda is heat stable up to 450 °F (232 °C), which sets it apart from other artificial sweeteners. This property allows Splenda to be used in a wide range of food and drink applications, including cooking and baking, without losing its sweetness or undergoing undesirable changes.
Regulatory Approval
Splenda has been extensively studied and is generally recognized as safe by health authorities, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. This regulatory approval provides assurance to manufacturers and consumers that the product is unlikely to cause harmful health effects when used as intended.
While Splenda has faced some criticism and concerns over its long-term health effects, the available scientific evidence suggests that it is a safe and viable option for sweetening food and drink products. Its popularity and unique characteristics make it a valuable ingredient for creating reduced-calorie, sugar-free alternatives that cater to the preferences and dietary needs of consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Diet Pepsi contains Splenda. It is a nonsugar sweetening alternative, helping consumers save on calories and reduce sugar consumption.
Splenda, or sucralose, is a sweetener that tastes like sugar but is about 600 times sweeter. It is made during a chemical process in which three hydrogen-oxygen groups are replaced with chlorine atoms.
Other Pepsi soft drink products containing Splenda include Pepsi with Splenda, Aquafina flavored waters, Brisk teas, and fruit-blend drinks. Caffeine-free and regular Diet Mountain Dew also contain Splenda.
Pepsi uses Splenda to help people reduce their sugar intake while still enjoying the great flavors of fully sweetened drinks.
Yes, Diet Pepsi still contains other nonnutritive sweeteners such as aspartame. However, Diet Pepsi fountain syrup uses an aspartame-free/Splenda recipe.
