Diet A\&W Root Beer, like other diet sodas, aims to offer the familiar taste of its regular counterpart without the caloric burden. This article delves into the ingredients and nutritional aspects of Diet A\&W Root Beer, drawing on information from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other nutritional experts to provide a comprehensive overview.
Nutritional Concerns
The product score is based on weighted scores for nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Generally, nutrition counts most, ingredient concerns next and degree of processing least. The weighted scores are added together to determine the final score. The nutritional assessment considers factors such as calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber, and fruit, vegetable, and nut content, differentiating between more and less healthful foods. Lower scores indicate better food quality.
Ingredient Concerns
This evaluation considers food additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and contaminants like mercury and BPA, all of which can impact human health and the environment.
Processing Concerns
The degree of processing is estimated by considering many factors, chief among them, modification of individual ingredients from whole foods and number of artificial ingredients. Products with moderate and high processing concerns generally have more artificial ingredients, more ingredients that have been significantly modified from whole foods, and more ingredients overall.
Ultra-Processed Food Classification
Diet A\&W Root Beer has been classified as an unhealthy ultra-processed food. EWG is flagging unhealthy ultra-processed foods due to studies linking consumption of these foods to a higher risk of health problems, including heart disease, obesity and Type 2 diabetes, and mental health issues such as depression. EWG defines an unhealthy ultra-processed as any product with a nutrition concern score greater than or equal to 4, a degree of processing score greater than or equal to 3 and at least one ingredient from the NOVA 4 ultra-processed category.
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The Issue with "Flavor"
One notable ingredient concern is the presence of the non-specific ingredient "flavor." Added "flavors" are secret and often complex mixtures of chemicals that modify and manipulate the taste and smell of food. The lack of transparency regarding these flavor compositions raises concerns about potential health impacts.
Low-Calorie Sweeteners: A Closer Look
Diet A\&W Root Beer contains low-calorie sweeteners, specifically Aspartame and Acesulfame Potassium. Low calorie sweeteners were designed to impart a sweet taste without the calories or glucose effects of sugar. However there is insufficient evidence that they reduce overall calorie intake, aid with weight loss or improve overall health (Gardner 2014; Shankar 2013). Instead low calorie sweeteners may condition people to crave sweet foods (Mattes 2009) and therefore eat fewer servings of healthy foods (IOM 2007). The IOM recommends that schools not serve diet foods or beverages to young children (IOM 2007). In the meantime EWG concludes that people should limit their consumption of sugar and low calorie sweeteners, advice echoed by other nutrition experts (Swithers 2013; Shankar 2013).
EWG's Stance on Consumption
Given these concerns, the EWG advises limiting the consumption of both sugar and low-calorie sweeteners. This recommendation aligns with advice from other nutrition experts, highlighting the potential drawbacks of relying on these substances as sugar alternatives.
How Diet Soda Compares
When evaluating Diet A\&W Root Beer, it is essential to consider how it compares to other diet sodas on the market. Factors such as the specific types of sweeteners used, the presence of artificial colors or additives, and the overall nutritional profile can vary significantly among different brands and products.
Product Information Validity
It's important to note that product information in databases like EWG's is typically maintained for a specific period. Products remain in the database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores. Products remain in the Database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores, even when they have been discontinued (products may remain in stores and pantries long past the date they cease to be manufactured). Also, the EWG obtains product images from third parties, and manufacturers may alter packaging at any time.
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