Carbonated SOFT DRINKS
Carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) come in a full range options and flavours, from zero to full-calorie, to suit each individual lifestyle.
Ingredients
Not all soft drinks have the same ingredients, so be sure to check each individual label for the most accurate information.
Regular carbonated soft drinks may contain the following ingredients:
Carbonated Water
Water is the base of soft drinks. Carbon dioxide is the colourless, odourless gas that provides the water with effervescence and bubbles.
Low-calorie sweeteners
These are used in place of full-calorie sweeteners to add sweetness with fewer calories. The low-calorie sweeteners typically used in beverages in Canada are: acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), aspartame, sucralose, and stevia.
Sugar
Sugar is added to provide sweetness to a beverage and common sources include sugar beet and sugar cane. As an ingredient, it can also be called table sugar, granulated sugar, white sugar or sucrose. The term is also used in a general sense to refer to sweet-tasting carbohydrates. Sucrose is the chemical name for the carbohydrate in table sugar and it is made of fructose and glucose subunits, in equal proportions.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
A caloric sweetener made from corn with similar composition to sucrose, or common table sugar. Sucrose is made up of glucose and fructose and while regular corn syrup contains more glucose than fructose, Sucrose is made up of glucose and fructose and while regular corn syrup contains more glucose than fructose. HFCS has glucose and fructose levels closer to that in sucrose and is metabolized in the same manner as sucrose.
Caramel Colour
A colouring agent with a minimal effect on the soda flavour.
Phosphoric Acid
A flavouring agent that provides tartness.
Citric Acid
Another flavouring agent that provides tartness
Caffeine
A flavour enhancer that contributes to the flavour profile of cola-type beverages.
Sodium Benzoate or Potassium Benzoate
A preservative that helps prevent growth of bacteria, yeasts and molds.