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WHAT IS A SOFT DRINK?
A soft drink is a carbonated water, flavoured and sweetened with either sugar or sweetener. At least 86% of a soft drink is purified water. Some soft drinks, plain sodas and natural mineral waters, are entirely water. About 65% of the human body is water and to replace losses, a daily intake of about two litres of water is recommended. As a source of water and in many cases, energy, sugar-sweetened soft drinks can play a useful role in a balanced diet. Soft drinks, both sugar-sweetened and non-sugar, can also play a useful role in many social situations as an alternative to alcohol .
HOW ARE SOFT DRINKS SWEETENED?
Soft drinks can be sweetened with sucrose/ table sugar or a range of artificial sweeteners.
Table sugar or sucrose is widely used commercially and comes from the sugar cane plant. The amount of sugar used in a soft drink is about 10% - about the same as you would find in a fruit juice. In fruit juice the sugar is mainly fructose - a simple sugar found mostly in fruit. Sucrose is slightly different as it is made up of two individual simple sugars - fructose and glucose joined together by a bond. Despite their differences, both sucrose and fructose are carbohydrates and provide 17kJ/g of energy to the body. Carbohydrates like sugar have the same energy content as proteins (17kJ/g) and about half as much as fat (37kJ/g) and alcohol (29kJ/g).
There are a number of artificial sweeteners that are permitted to be used in soft drinks. By far, the most popular artificial sweetener, currently being used, is aspartame. Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and so very little is needed to sweeten a soft drink. Aspartame is a combination of two amino acids (the building block of proteins), aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Both these amino acids are found naturally in protein-containing foods, including meats, grains and dairy products.Other artificial sweeteners permitted by
Food Standards Australia New Zealand are acesulphame potassium or Ace-K, thaumatin, saccharin, cyclamate and sucaralose. Sweeteners like Nutrasweet® are made up of a combination of aspartame and Ace-K. Sucralose is the sweetener used in Splenda®.
HOW ARE SOFT DRINKS FLAVOURED?
Sometimes, of course, a flavour is there from the "source" or more precisely, from the earth. A plain mineral water is an example. In most cases, however, the flavour is derived from a number of ingredients used in special combinations.
Natural flavourings are derived from fruits, vegetables, nuts, bark, fruit juices, leaves, herbs, spices, oils and other natural extracts. In soft drinks containing natural flavours and fruit juices - a preservative may be added to prevent spoilage.
Artificial flavourings are used to give consumers greater choice in taste. Artificial flavours often reproduce those found naturally and are termed "nature identical."
WHAT OTHER ACTIVE INGREDIENTS DO SOFT DRINKS CONTAIN?
Acids such as citric and phosphoric acids, add a refreshing tartness or bite and help preserve the quality of a soft drink.
Caffeine has a distinctive taste that heightens the flavours. Caffeine has been part of cola drinks since their introduction, although caffeine-free cola drinks are now available. The amount of caffeine in a cola drink is one quarter to one third that found in an equal amount of coffee.
Carbon dioxide gives soft drinks their special bubbling appeal. The bubbles are added in a process called carbonation during which the soft drink is placed under pressure and chilled. This allows the carbon dioxide to be absorbed. And when you open the can or bottle - zing! Besides making the drink more refreshing, the bubbles actually help keep the drink fresher too.
Colours along with the bubbles, are part of a soft drinks appeal; both natural and artificial colours may be used.
INGREDIENTS USED IN OUR MEMBERS' PRODUCTS
All ingredients used in products manufactured by our members have met the stringent requirements for approval as food additives by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). In addition to helping to maintain product quality, these ingredients are used to provide flavour and colour, which contribute to the appeal and enjoyment of soft drinks.
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