The quest for healthier beverage options has led to the rise of diet soft drinks, many of which now incorporate stevia as a key ingredient. This article delves into the world of diet soft drinks, examining the role of stevia, its benefits, and how it compares to other artificial sweeteners.
The Appeal of Diet Soft Drinks
Diet soft drinks have gained popularity as alternatives to traditional sugary beverages, offering a lower-calorie or zero-calorie option for those looking to manage their weight or reduce their sugar intake. However, the sweeteners used in these drinks have come under scrutiny, leading to the exploration of natural alternatives like stevia.
Stevia: A Natural Sweetener
Stevia is a natural, plant-based, low-calorie sweetener derived from the stevia plant. It has garnered attention for its potential health benefits, including antiglycemic and antioxidant effects, and the possibility of reducing blood pressure. Stevia is available in liquid or powder form, making it easy to add to both hot and cold beverages.
Zevia: A Pioneer in Stevia-Sweetened Beverages
Zevia is a beverage brand committed to creating better-for-you flavored drinks that are beneficial for both people and the environment. Their products, including sodas, teas, and energy drinks, are sweetened with highly purified stevia extract and contain no sugar. Zevia prides itself on using simple, easy-to-pronounce ingredients that consumers can trust. All Zevia products contain water, stevia leaf extract and natural flavors which vary by product.
Unlike some other products sweetened by stevia, Zevia does not contain any "bulking agents" such as erythritol. All Zevia products are Non-GMO Project Verified, containing no genetically modified or bioengineered ingredients. Many Zevia products contain citric acid, commonly found in citrus fruits, to aid in flavor balance and preservation. Some Zevia products contain caffeine.
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Zevia products accommodate many common dietary restrictions. Their products are free of all 9 FDA regulated allergens- milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, sesame, and soy. All Zevia products are Gluten-free and have been certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group, which is the leading Gluten Free Certification Organization. The caffeine in all Zevia soda is extracted from the coffee bean. To keep our beverages clean (and clear!) as possible, Zevia contains no fake colors (no Red Dye No.
Coca-Cola Life: A Stevia and Sugar Blend
Coca-Cola Life, introduced in 2013, was a reduced-calorie version of Coca-Cola that used a combination of stevia and sugar as sweeteners. The drink contains stevia leaf extract, and is the first Coca-Cola variant to use this ingredient. It was first released in Argentina and Chile after five years of research together in these countries, before expanding to others markets around the world. The formulation varied by market location, and in some areas the original formulation had been phased out in favor of a zero-calorie version sweetened with stevia only. Coca-Cola Life formulations typically also contained sugar, but used less sugar than traditional Coca-Cola. The drink was available in glass bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans.
Coca-Cola Life was launched in Argentina in June 2013, in Chile in November of that year, in Sweden in June 2014 and in the United Kingdom in September 2014. It has subsequently been launched in many other countries. Coca-Cola Life was introduced into Australia in March 2015. Coca-Cola Life was introduced in Belgium and Luxembourg in early 2015.
In Canada, the product is sweetened from natural sources and contains 50% fewer calories than regular colas. The nutrition data on the Canadian version of product shows 25 g carbohydrates (25 g sugar), 100 calories and 70 mg sodium and 15 mg potassium per 500 ml.
Coca-Cola Life was released in limited areas in the summer of 2014 with the product being sold at a number of locations of The Fresh Market grocery store. Coca-Cola began offering the drink to U.K. customers in September 2014. The offering was the first new Coca-Cola product introduced in the U.K. in eight years. In 2016, it was reformulated to contain less sugar than regular Coke (45% less).
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The Grocer magazine in the U.K. conducted a blind taste test among seven of its staff members in June. According to The Grocer, all seven tasters preferred the taste of Life to the other products.
In Argentina, the launch of Coca-Cola Life placed an emphasis on the recyclable bottle. Coca-Cola released a television ad in Argentina called "Parents" to promote Coca-Cola Life. Marketing in Argentina was focused, much like in the U.K., around healthy lifestyles.
Coca-Cola Life is a reduced-calorie cola sweetened with a blend of sugar and stevia leaf extract. It contains 35% fewer calories per fl oz compared to other leading colas. Coca-Cola Life contains 90 calories per 12 fl oz compared to 140- 150 calories in 12 fl oz of leading colas.
Stevia vs. Aspartame: A Comparison
Aspartame, another common sweetener found in diet sodas, has been a subject of debate due to potential health concerns. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulated the use of aspartame since 1974 and approved it as a general-purpose sweetener in 1996. The acceptable daily intake for aspartame established by the FDA is 50 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day. A 12-ounce can of diet soda contains about 200 mg of aspartame, so based on these guidelines, a person weighing about 150 pounds (or 68 kg) could drink around 17 cans of diet soda per day.
However, aspartame is not safe for people with the hereditary disorder PKU, which causes phenylalanine to build up in the body. For this reason, people with PKU have to strictly limit their phenylalanine intake and should always choose diet drinks without aspartame.
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Researchers and consumers have worried about a possible link between aspartame and cancer for decades as well. In fact, in July 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) reclassified aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” based on limited evidence. Even so, the WHO still advises that 40 mg/kg of body weight is a safe amount of aspartame to consume per day. The FDA disagrees that the limited evidence points to human cancer risk, citing research that found no link between low- and no-calorie sweeteners and beverages and increased cancer risk in humans. More recent studies are mixed in their conclusions, too. A data-mining analysis published in 2025 determined that artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, might potentially increase the incidence of kidney cancer, low-grade glioma, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. The study’s researchers “strongly advise the public to reduce their intake of artificial sweeteners to alleviate common health issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome.” Yet another study published in 2025 found no association between aspartame consumption and invasive breast cancer risk.
Along with the study of aspartame’s potential cancer risks, more research is needed on other potential health concerns of the sugar substitute. In a review of 29 studies, researchers linked aspartame with neurotoxic effects, such as behavioral concerns, mood disorders, and memory and learning impairments. (It’s important to note that some of the studies occurred in humans, while others took place in animals, so it isn’t entirely clear how those effects would translate to humans.) Older research also associated aspartame with behavioral and cognitive problems - such as headaches, irritable mood, depression, and insomnia.
Stevia, on the other hand, is generally regarded as safe and has not been linked to the same level of health concerns as aspartame. This makes stevia a more appealing option for consumers seeking a natural and potentially healthier alternative.
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