Carbonated Info

Carbonated drinks are produced by a process called as carbonation. Carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide is dissolved in water or any other liquid. Carbonation gives the fizz to the carbonated water or any liquid to which it is added. In most soft drinks the carbonation gives the drink its bite. The fizzy taste that comes is due to the carbonic acid that causes a slight burning sensation. Carbonation also reduces the pH of a liquid. Carbonated soft drinks are often seen to be more acidic, even more than distilled water. Some studies suggest that the acidic nature of these drinks can harm dental health.

The carbonation process can be natural when natural gasses are built up during processes like fermentation. When carbonated soft drinks are made carbonation gives it that bite. It is often a misconception that the bubbles present give the bite to the drink. However, the carbonic acid that is created gives us that fizzy taste. In colas like Pepsi the bite comes from the phosphoric acid but which does not cause it to have that fizz. Moreover due to carbonation the availability of free oxygen in the soda is reduced. This can help reduce the pH of a liquid to some extent. The pH of most carbonated drinks is around 2.8 to 3.0 which means they are acidic in nature. 7 is neutral pH which is not harmful. However, as you move down to 6 or 5 and so on it makes that product acidic. Considering the colas have a pH of around 3.0 it means it is quiet acidic and can be harmful for your body. Effervescence is the release of gas from the drink. In colas or beer when dissolved carbon dioxide is depressurized it forms bubbles and makes the fizzing.

Some experts feel that such pH levels change the pH levels of our body which may not be as healthy. Moreover the acidic nature of carbonated drinks and soft drinks can be harmful to your teeth. It can cause erosion of tooth enamel. Some dentists advise drinking with a straw to avoid contact with the teeth. Soft drinks with high pH and other acid foods may lead to acidic food deposition around the joints and organs which can be harmful to the smooth functioning of the body.

The pH levels of various colas and soft drinks may vary. For Coke it is around 2.525, Diet Coke 3.289, Pepsi 2.530, Diet Pepsi 3.031, Cherry Coke 2.522, RC Cola 2.387, Mountain Dew 3.229, Diet Mountain Dew 3.365, Dr. Pepper 2.899, Diet Dr. Pepper 3.169, 7-Up 3.202, Diet 7-Up 3.706, Sprite 3.298 and Mug Root Beer 4.038. It may be noted that the pH levels of Diet drinks are in the same range.

When exposed to air carbonated drinks become flat. They lose the fizz and may taste a bit different. The pH levels may change towards the neutral levels but the difference may be very small. The change may be insignificant and may not make soft drinks any less acidic. It is for you to decide whether to drink such carbonated drinks considering the pH Levels which indicate their acidic quality.

Carbonated drinks are the beverages that have carbon dioxide dissolved into it. The process is called as carbonation. Carbonation often helps improve taste and texture of the beverage. We are all aware of carbonated soft drinks like Coke, Pepsi, Fanta etc. Experts feel that carbonated drinks should not be consumed in quantities that we do at the moment. It could be healthier to have non carbonated soft drinks like Tang, Favor Aid etc which are equally tasty and refreshing. Non carbonated soft drinks as the name suggest do not have alcohol and do not undergo the process of carbonation which generates carbonic acid that is one of the causes of ill effects on health.

There are studies that suggest carbonated drinks can have several ill effects on your health. Obesity in adolescents is fast becoming a concern. As a first step guidelines have been issued to schools on sale of carbonated soft drinks. As a replacement to the soft drinks coming under this ban, healthier non carbonated soft drinks and 100% fruit juices may be provided. Obesity is not just the problem in adolescents; it has becoming a major problem for people of all ages. Carbonated soft drinks are not entirely the cause or the only cause. However, the amount of carbonated soft drinks that each of us consumes is pretty high. Regular carbonated soft drinks as well as diet soft drinks are high on calories and are often consumed with high calorie junk food. This collectively leads to reduction in the amount of nutritional foods in our diet which in turn can lead to several heath issues. Tooth decay is also a major cause of over consumption of carbonated soft drinks.

All these health considerations have lead to the increase in the importance of the non carbonated soft drinks. Morgan Stanley analyst Bill Pecoriello expressed that there may be a downturn in the soft drink volumes by about 1 percent rate for the next several years. Customers are becoming conscious about the products and their effect on their health and wellness. Statistics show that the carbonated soft drinks are losing teenage customers mainly the 13-17 year old to the non carbonated soft drinks like sports drinks, bottled tea and energy drinks. A major factor could be increased awareness about non carbonated soft drinks and health concerns related to the carbonated soft drinks.

Non carbonated soft drinks are better options. Examples include bottled water, 100% fruit juices, tea and coffee. The major soft drink makers have realized this and have started manufacturing non carbonated soft drinks to retain their customer base. Gatorade and Aquafina water from PepsiCo are good examples of this trend. There are other non carbonated soft drinks in the market as well. Tang has been around for long. It has been a hot favorite due to its sweet and tangy flavor. Initially intended as a breakfast drink and introduced in the orange flavor it has now about 38 different flavors. Single 8fl oz of Tang contains about 9 grams of sugar, 40 calories, 100% RDA of vitamin C, A, E, calcium, etc. Among other brands is Flavor aid from Jel Sert, sold as an unsweetened powdered concentrate drink mix. It comes in flavors like Cherry, orange, lemon-lime, watermelon, raspberry, etc.

With the public perception growing in favor of non carbonated drinks many soft drink manufacturers are introducing new non carbonated drinks along with their carbonated ones in an attempt to maintain their customer base and revenues.

Carbonated drinks have become a part of our diet. What are carbonated drinks and which ones fall in the list of carbonated drinks? Is it only the soft drinks or are there any other that can be called as carbonated drinks? Let us first understand what is carbonation? Simply put, carbonation occurs when carbon dioxide is dissolved into a liquid or water. Carbonation causes the fizzing. It is the result of a chemical reaction that occurs when carbon dioxide is passed through a liquid. It can occur naturally as well as artificially. When we have soft drinks it is artificial carbonation which gives it the fizzing quality.

Natural carbonated drinks

Among the natural carbonated drinks spring water absorbs carbon dioxide from the ground. Ancient societies believed that drinking water from natural springs could cure many diseases. Beer is also naturally carbonated due to the carbon dioxide that gets created during fermentation. It was in the 18th century when scientist could replicate naturally carbonated mineral waters. Joseph Priestley suspended a bow of distilled water above a beer vat which in turn infused carbon dioxide to water. The taste was found to be pleasant.
Carbonated water

Carbonated water also called as sparkling water, seltzer is plain water but with carbon dioxide dissolved. It is also known as soda water and can even be produced at home. Club soda is also similar but may contain table salt, sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, potassium bicarbonate etc. It gives the soda the slightly salty taste of homemade soda water. Now we also have flavored carbonated water. The difference lies in the taste. It contains fruit flavors like lemon, cherry, orange but no sweeteners.

Soft drinks

Soft drinks do not contain alcohol. They are also called as pop, soda, coke or tonic. It is usually called as pop in Canada, fizzy or soft drink in UK and Australia and minerals in Ireland. You can often find most soft drinks in sugar sweetened and non caloric sweetened versions (diet sodas). There are several flavors available in soft drinks like orange, grape, strawberry etc. Among the orange soft drinks the popular ones like Fanta, Orange Crush, Sunkist Orange are available around the world. Coke, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mirinda, Jones Soda, etc are also available. Soft drinks are sold in 3Ls, 2Ls, 1.5 L, 1L, 500ml, 20 and 24 fluid ounce plastic bottles or 12 US fluid ounce cans in US. The package sizes may differ.

Most soft drinks are made from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). However, it has been criticized for its ill effect on human health. It may promote diabetes, hyperactivity, hypertension and other problems. Soft drinks are often consumed with high calorie foods and fast food. Obesity among adolescents is often caused by the consumption of soft drinks accompanied by fast food while viewing television. Due to the glucose, fructose and other simple sugars it may cause dental decay and carries a higher risk of dental caries. The high pH levels in soft drinks causes tooth enamel erosion. Some experts suggest that the phosphoric acid in soft drinks may lead to lowering of bone density causing osteoporosis and weak bones. However, a counter suggestion is that effect of soft drinks is negligible but consumption may cause reduction in overall nutritious diet leading to lowering calcium and other nutrients

There are several types of carbonated drinks; carbonated water, diet sodas, soft drinks etc. Carbonated drinks may have some heath benefit but we need to ensure that we do not overdo consumption.

All of us are aware of soft drinks. We simply love the fizzy taste of these drinks. They have becomes an integral part of our daily diet. However, are you aware how carbonated soft drinks are made? A simple answer is that carbonated drinks contain certain characteristics of carbonation which leads to bubbles and fizzing of the beverage. Carbonation is the process which involves passing carbon dioxide gas and dissolving it in a drink or water.

Joseph Priestly found the method of infusing water with carbon dioxide. He did it by suspending a bowl of water above beer vat at a local brewer which gave the water a pleasant taste. With developments in technology the carbonation method includes dissolving pressurized carbon dioxide into water. The solubility of water increases due to pressure and helps dissolve more carbon dioxide. Often the amount of CO2 dissolved is responsible for the quality of that carbonated soft drink.

Carbonated soft drinks are a mixture of carbonated water and other ingredients. The carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in water or aqueous solution. There are different flavors, sweeteners, food acids, food colors, etc that are added. By dissolving carbon dioxide to water it becomes carbonated water or sparkling water. As a result the chemical formulation gives carbonic acid. Carbonic acid has a chemical formula of H2CO3. While manufacturing carbonated soft drinks carbonated water forms the base. Additives are used to give it the specific taste, flavor etc.

The chemical formulation as a result of carbonation process gives the soft drinks its bite. It is not the bubbles but the dilute carbonic acid that provides it the fizzy taste. In soft drinks like Pepsi and Coca-Cola the bite is due to the phosphoric acid which is not associated with fizz or change in flavor. Carbonation also may be used to lower the pH of a water solution. Over carbonation can be dangerous and can cause explosion of bottles. Bottlers use priming sugar or malt extract to make the process bottling beer safer.

Experts feel that the pH level of soft drinks after the carbonation process is often around 3.0 or a bit lower. It is more than that of distilled water. It may not be healthy to consume the soft drinks in the quantities that we do right now. Further, some studies also suggest that it can cause tooth decay, calcium depletion etc. There is a belief that carbonation promotes digestion and reduces nausea. However, the carbon dioxide that gets into the bloodstream goes to the lungs for exhalation. Just about 10 percent dissolves in blood and about 20 percent is bound to hemoglobin. About 70 percent is carried by red blood cells as bicarbonate.

The carbonated soft drinks are manufactured by bottlers like Pepsi Bottling group by taking the concentrate from its manufacturers. These bottlers usually convert the concentrate into the specific flavored soft drink. It is distributed to the stores by packing them into bottles generally plastic or glass, cans etc. There could be different bottlers for the same concentrate in different countries. However, they are generally responsible for marketing and distribution in that region.
Some experts feel that carbonated soft drinks are not as healthy as they are believed to be and should be avoided. Flavored carbonated water without any sweeteners may be a better option and an equally satisfying one.

Carbonated drinks are produced by the process called as carbonation which includes dissolution of carbon dioxide into water or any other liquid. The fizz that we see is due to carbonation. The chemical formulation as a result of carbonation is the formation of carbonic acid. The carbonation gives the drink its bite and fizzy taste is due to the carbonic acid. The feeling of a slight burning sensation is mainly due to the carbonic acid. The pH level of the drink is also reduced after carbonation. Among the carbonated drinks, the carbonated soft drinks are more acidic, as its pH levels is around 3.0. There is little effect of air exposure on the pH level of carbonated drinks. Experts suggest that acidic nature of these drinks is harmful for dental health.

There is a misconception that the bubbles present give the bite to the drink. The carbonic acid created in carbonation is what actually gives us that fizzy taste. Often in colas like Pepsi, Coca-cola, the phosphoric acid gives it the bite. Phosphoric acid however is not responsible for the fizz. The free oxygen is reduced due to carbonation. This causes reduction in pH of a liquid to some extent. The pH level of most carbonated drinks is around 2.8 to 3.0. It means their quality is more towards being acidic in nature. A pH of 7.0 is a neutral level. As you move down to 6 or 5 and so on it makes that product acidic. Colas with a pH of around 3.0 means they are quiet acidic and can be harmful for your body.

When you open the can or a bottler the gas from the drink is released. Depressurized carbon dioxide in colas or beer causes bubbles and makes the fizzing sound. If you leave the opened can or bottle exposed to air you would find it loses fizz to a certain extent. You may have experienced it; there is a flat taste to the drink with little fizz left. However, the pH level does not change to a large extent though it may go towards the lower end a bit. It means a little loss in acidity but nothing substantial.

Experts and nutritionists are of the opinion that such pH levels affect pH balance of our body which should be 7.0 preferably. The acidic nature of soft drinks can be harmful to your teeth. Enamel erosion may be caused leading to dental carries. Dentists often advise drinking with a straw to avoid contact with the teeth. The combination of soft drinks with high pH and other acid foods may lead to acidic food deposition around the joints and organs. It can surely affect the smooth functioning of the body system.

The pH levels of carbonated water and colas and other soft drinks may vary. The pH level in quiet a few drinks is approximately around 3.0. Studies undertaken show the following results Pepsi 2.530, Diet Pepsi 3.031, Coke 2.525, Diet Coke 3.289, Cherry Coke 2.522, RC Cola 2.387, Mountain Dew 3.229, Diet Mountain Dew 3.365, Diet 7-Up 3.706, Sprite 3.298 and Mug Root Beer 4.038.

It may be noted that the pH levels of Diet drinks are around the same range.