Starting this month, Pepsi is rolling out a new drink called Pepsi Natural that's made with sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. The soda company is touting the drink's "all-natural ingredients," including natural caramel and kola nut extract; the glass bottles will even be stocked in natural foods aisles.
Despite the ads from the Corn Refiners Association trying to position HFCS as a "sweet surprise," the New York Times reports that more and more brands are using real sugar as a selling point. Other examples include Pizza's Hut's The Natural pizza, with a crust made with honey, and Healthy Choice All Natural frozen entrees. Both claim to be free of preservatives, but how do we really know what "all natural" means? (Not to mention, it makes me wonder how unnatural Pizza Hut and Pepsi's other products must be.) For my two cents, read more.
In this photo I found on Keacher.com of Pepsi Natural's ingredient list, it appears that the soda also contains "caramel color" and "natural flavor," two vague terms that I'd bet aren't natural at all, and whether it's made from sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, soda still isn't good for you. In the NYT story, Pat Crawford of UC Berkeley's Center for Weight and Health, points out that it used to be sugar that was demonized:
Even though overall consumption of caloric sweeteners is starting to drop, Dr. Crawford says an empty calorie is still an empty calorie. And it does not matter whether people think sugar is somehow "retro," a word used to promote new, sugar-based versions of Pepsi and Mountain Dew called Throwback.
"If people really want to go back to where we were, that means not putting sugar in everything," she said. "It means keeping it to desserts."
Well said, good doctor. Now that I'm done with my rant, tell me: What do you think of these new natural products?
LK Bennett
Rm By Roland Mouret
Achile
Urgh I just steer clear of anything like this...you know it's going to be full of crap no matter what their advertising/marketing strategy is...(remember coca cola with vitamins anyone?)
1At least the companies are trying but yeah, I don't touch fizz so it doesn't affect me!
2I don't even drink soda because it's just not natural in the least - I don't know who Pepsi is trying to kid with this.
3Things like this annoy me. It's like they're targeting people who want to be healthier, but don't know how to see through all the garbage.
4Unfortunately people will totally buy into this. It's sad..............like my friend that thinks for some reason Sierra Mist is a non soda. Ugh! Actually giving it to her child! So frustrating. THis just proves that people need more education on reading labels and finding out what each ingredient actually means.
5Honestly, I don't think people can get all that upset that something is labeled "natural" just because it's not healthy for you. Newsflash - not everything that is produced in nature is good for you. And in this case, they are using a lot of extracts that are derived from plant products making them "natural".
It's still up to the consumer to realize that a sugary drink full of empty calories is not the best choice. But as for false advertising, I just don't think you have a case.
6this is a tough one. you kind of have to remember to put things into perspective. if you're drinking soda or eating these products in the first place, you're not necessarily looking for a healthy choice - so these new products are a step in the right direction, but you can't really chastize the companies for doing what they are doing because it's not like they are pulling the wool over our eyes. if you want to be healthy about what you ingest, then you need to find alternatives. if you want ta healthier version of soda, then this is your savior. it's not healthy - but in perspective, it's healthier.
7Soda is soda
8As an occasional treat, it's nice that they are making sodas in the US with sugar. They taste different than the ones made with HFCS. So now we no longer have to search out Mexican cokes! (and even they were starting to use HFCS)
9Consumers are pretty dumb overall when it comes to food and nutrition (but can you blame them with all the misinformation and lack of education out there?). Many will believe this is "healthier" than corn syrup. All of it is bad--no one should be guzzling sugary soda each day. gaa!
10honestly I would rather see sugar in products since the body recognizes it, but I would rather see people making wise eating decisions.
11I talked with Pepsi about Natural, and the use of "natural sugar" is defined as a blend of cane sugar & beet sugar vs. just cane sugar which you find in more niche drinks like Jones Soda.
http://www.bevreview.com/2009/03/16/review-pepsi-natural/
12I just wonder what it'll taste like. But it seems like they are technically "natural" if not exactly good for you.
13Caveat emptor !
14I like my soda and things that are sweet (I swear cookies and ice cream will be the death of me) but as long as you keep these things to that once a week treat and not the whole carton, I think that's ok.
15Do people really expect soda to be "healthy"?
16"Natural", "organic", even "healthy" ... these words don't automatically mean nutritious. Of course this doesn't make Pepsi healthy, but it has fewer chemicals for people who care, and there's nothing really wrong with that.
17I've taking a liking to a shot of juice like grapefruit and soda water, I can't have a cocktail that I would rather have since I'm preggers, and I love it!
18I don't mind. If you know enough about healthy foods, you should be able to judge for yourself whether to drink this or not. It's a better alternative than regular Pepsi.
19On a side note, in northern Texas you can buy glass bottles of Dr. Pepper made with pure cane sugar instead of HFCS. You would not believe the difference in taste. It's like comparing filet mignon to a fast food burger.
20this drink looks nasty anyways
21Makes me think about all the people I know who guzzle Vitamin Water daily cause they think it's healthy for them. I've explained many times about how many servings are in a bottle, how much sugar it adds up to (the same amount as sodas and such), and that vitamins are far more beneficial if you actually get them from food. I also say that having one now and then isn't going to hurt if you enjoy it, but thinking it's going to improve your health by drinking it all the time isn't right.
22I always thought Pepsi was evil, now this just confirms it.
23jupiter260 I thought the same thing!! Sodas in Latin America taste soooo much better and I always wondered why until I learned about HFCS. I don't normally drink soda but for when I do, this could be a good option. Obviously I understand that it's not "healthy."
24Here's one for the random comments- I kinda like the new pepsi logo better in white. For people who do like sugar instead of HFCS, I've noticed that most drinks and candy made in Canada use sugar.
25Looks like there are 38 grams of sugar in that bottle, natural or not. It's dessert!
26I tried a sample at the store and it does taste different, but it is hard to explain.
The only reason to get it is it has maybe 2 to 4 grams less sugar in it (but I didn't compare size to be absolutely sure of this) and it is sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. So if you want real sugar, buy this. That wouldn't make a really good promo, though.
27Yeah, not everything found in nature is good for you OR healthy, but people will buy into it because it sounds better. HFCS is made from corn, sugar is made from sugar cane, etc. I think a lot of people will think that this soda is somehow better than regular Pepsi, so they'll feel entitled to drink more of it. The bottom line is that soda is soda and any beverage that has sugar/HFCS/etc. in it is basically a source of empty calories and should be consumed in moderation.
28"Natural" flavor is made in a lab, just like "artificial flavor", but yeah, it's just derived from extracts from something found in nature. If it comes from a lab, I'm not too excited about that. The word flavor should set off alarm bells already, because you're getting the flavor, without any of the nutrients or fiber or whatever. It's nothing but a taste.
29thanks for the great info, being a nutrition student I understand that natural does not have any meaning in labels.. I can go on and advice ppl abt why this soda is not exactly healthy from them either...
30Sugar and fake sugars are the devil. Stay away from them, unless the sugars come from fruits and vegetables, which are the only type that our body is capable of breaking down in a natural way that will not cause us to gain weight. If you must have sugar, eat stuff made with agave nectar.
31i don't drink soda anymore. i honestly don't miss it.
32Hey Pepsi, remember New Coke?
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