Fanta, Orangina, Coca-Cola… Day and night, do you fuel yourself with soda? Although these allow you to benefit from a (temporary) boost in energy, they are nevertheless full of sugar, sweeteners and additives. Dr Jean-Michel Cohen, nutritionist and author of the book “The buying guide to eating well”, shares with us the list of the worst sodas to avoid.
Sodas should remain occasional
For several years, Red Bull, Monster and Coca-Cola cans have occupied pride of place in our refrigerators. Practical to take away, inexpensive and refreshing, they appeal to young and old alike.
However, the consumption of these drinks should remain occasional, warns Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen.
“All soft drinks, even light or zero, must remain pleasure drinks, to be consumed occasionally and in reasonable quantities of a glass or a maximum of a can, only outside of meals, where water remains the only essential drink”, he recalls.
The light versions aren’t really better
Indeed, if you think you have done the essential thing by opting for light versions, the nutritionist specifies that compensating for this “lack” with artificial sweeteners is not ideal for your health either. Regular consumption of these additives would expose us to more diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer.
Aspartame has even recently been classified as a sweetener.possibly carcinogenic” (Group 2B), causing liver damage (hepatocellular carcinoma).
For the nutritionist doctor, “maintain similar sweet flavor saturation“by turning to light or zero drinks”therefore really does not seem to go in favor of public health recommendations“.
The worst sodas in the supermarket
If you still want to treat yourself by occasionally consuming a can, remember to make the right choices on the shelves… by avoiding these 4 sodas.
Pineapple juice “Sumol”
“A fairly popular and widely distributed product that stacks sugar, glucose-fructose syrup and sweeteners. Let’s not forget the numerous additives. Adding sweeteners in addition to 11% sugars should be banned”,
the doctor exclaims.
Ginger Beer & Chili “Schweppes selection”
“Unlike sodas, the Schweppes luxury range® offers a design aimed more at adults, an alcohol-free aperitif range. But at €7/liter, we are disappointed by the choice of ingredients which is not qualitative! With 11% sugar, including glucose-fructose syrup, the recipe could be improved. insists the nutritionist.
Coca-cola Classic “Coca-cola”
A great classic, once again disappointing. “It is a sweet soda which not only contains more than 10% added sugars, but also caffeine which, coupled with sugar, is particularly addictive. Also note the presence of ammonium sulphite caramel, controversial and already banned in Canada”, warns the expert.
Lemon shake “Fanta”
No fruit in this drink, just a cocktail of chemicals. “A pile of additives in a sweet and watered down soda. You can find much better lemon flavor!”, he relates.
What alternatives should you turn to?
According to the nutritionist, some drinks devoid of sweeteners or moderately sweetened stand out in the supermarket. These are:
- “Pulco” sparkling lemon-blackcurrant-raspberry lemonade;
- The Original bottle signed “Champomy”;
- Lemon/lime lemonade sold by the “Lorina” brand;
- Magnetic juice Pineapple & Mango cans from “Maison Perrier”.
Enough to treat yourself from time to time with these healthier and relatively natural sodas.