Sierra Mist vs Sprite – Nutrition Facts, Side Effects, History

Sierra Mist – Nutrition Facts And History

It is a lemon-lime flavored caffeine-free soda introduced in 1999 by PepsiCo. There is also a diet version, that was launched in 2000. The sales of both diet and original drinks totaled more than $100 million in the 1st year of production.

In 2015, PepsiCo announced that they were changing the name of this soft drink to “Mist Twst.” In Spring 2016, the change occurred in the United States.

In 2004, this caffeine-free soda surpassed 7Up on the basis of annual retail sales, placing it as the second most-consumed lemon soft drink in the United States. According to the statistics, as of 2014, it ranked 13th among all soda brands, falling from 12th.

In August 2010, in response to shifting people’s preferences towards products made with “natural” ingredients, which are considered healthier, this soft drink underwent a considerable rebranding. This rebranding includes the replacing of high fructose corn syrup with a cane sugar-stevia blend, allowing the drink to be marketed as “natural” and stand out in the crowded marketplace.

However, in 2016, PepsiCo added back high fructose corn syrup to the formula of this drink. This is quite an interesting decision, considering that in the present-day people are more concerned about what goes into their physical bodies.

Ingredients

This soft drink contains – lemon juice concentrate, carbonated water, citric acid, high fructose corn syrup, potassium sorbate, natural flavor, potassium benzoate, and calcium disodium EDTA.

Sprite – Nutrition Facts and History

It is a colorless, caffeine-free, lemon, and lime-flavored soda manufactured by the Coca-Cola Company. This soft drink was first developed in West Germany in 1959, and it was named – Fanta Klare Zitrone (which translates as – “Clear Lemon Fanta”). Furthermore, in 1961, it was introduced in the US under the current name Sprite as the main competitor to 7Up.

It became popular in marketing in the 1960s through the 1970s when The Coca-Cola Company started making excellent advertisements for this soft drink that was soon referenced in a few songs.

This soda holds the first position in the lemon-flavored non-alcoholic beverages worldwide (it is sold in more than 190 countries) and is the 3rd most sold carbonated soft drink after Coke and Pepsi.

In 1994, this brand was relaunched with new graphics. The new design was launched with the slogan “Obey Your Thirst.” Also, it dropped the words “Great Lemon Taste” from the can.

Ingredients

This soft drink contains – citric acid, carbonated water, sodium citrate, high fructose corn syrup, sodium benzoate (to protect taste), and natural flavors.

Verdict – Sierra Mist vs Sprite

Both these drinks contain a variety of substances that are known to cause adverse effects. Therefore, avoid these soft drinks or use them sparingly. Read some of these negative effects below.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

It is usually produced from GMO corn and has a different chemical structure than natural sugars found in fruits.

Beverage and food producers started switching their usual sweeteners (like – sucrose which is also known as table sugar) to high fructose corn syrup in the 1970s when they discovered that this sweetener was not only cheaper to make, but it was also notably sweeter.

However, consuming too much HFCS can lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, following the four decades since the use of HFCS as a cost-effective sweetener in the United States market, rates of obesity and types 2 diabetes have skyrocketed.

Also, scientists established that rats with access to HFCS gained notably more weight than those with access to water sweetened with sucrose, even when they consumed the same number of calories, according to a 2010 study conducted at Princeton University.

Citric Acid

It is considered a versatile organic acid by the pharmaceutical and food industries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies citric acid as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS).

Citric acid is widely used in the food and beverage industry as an additive due to its ease of production and its low price.

Excessive consumption of CA can lead to discolored stools or cloudy and bloody urine. More importantly, a high consumption of citric acid may cause anxiety, mood changes, diarrhea, irritability, vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, confusion, and abdominal pain.

Sodium Benzoate

It is a chemical used as a food preservative in various types of beverages and foods, such as – soft drinks, margarine, jelly, pickles, and jam.

Consumption of foods and beverages containing sodium benzoate may lead to – nightmares or unusually vivid dreams, dizziness, muscle tremors, stomach problems, rapid breathing, pale skin, and restlessness.

Moreover, sodium benzoate is a potential trigger for hyperactivity in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to the December 2007 study published in the “Environmental Health Perspectives.”

Another concern for foods and beverages containing this food additive is that when it is mixed with vitamin C and metals ions (copper and iron), it leads to a benzene production, a known carcinogen.

Potassium Sorbate

It is a food preservative that helps prevent foods and drinks spoilage from fungi, bacteria, yeast, and molds. Potassium sorbate is linked to allergic reactions and other health problems.

READ THIS NEXT: Caffeine Free Sodas List

References

http://www.misttwst.com/#Products
http://www.coca-colaproductfacts.com/en/products/

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