Fizzy drinks are sweet, bubbly beverages that contain chemicals such as phosphoric acid, along with carbon dioxide and various additives, artificial colours, and flavours.
The carbonated water in fizzy drinks (made when carbon dioxide and water react) is responsible for the beverage’s characteristic bubbles. As the dissolved carbon dioxide evaporates when the pressure is released, bubbles are formed. The bubbles themselves contribute to the unique flavour and appearance of fizzy drinks.
Other chemicals in fizzy drinks serve as preservatives, artificial colourings, and additional flavourings. The exact flavours vary depending on the brand and specific product, but they’re all artificial. Even in products that are technically the same, such as cola-flavoured fizzy drinks, there are subtle flavour differences between the different brands.
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How are fizzy drinks made?
Companies that manufacture fizzy drinks follow standardised methods when making their products. They also use similar ingredients and machinery.
There are two main methods of producing finished products from flavouring syrup. The first involves diluting the syrup with water. It’s then cooled before carbon dioxide is added and the solution is bottled or canned. The second method is slightly different because instead of diluting the syrup with water, a precise amount of syrup is added to each bottle before it’s filled with carbonated water.
Some fizzy drink fountain dispensers in restaurants have separate compartments for the syrup and carbonated water, which can either be automated or controlled manually. The latter allows for more customisation when it comes to taste and flavour.
Techniques & machinery used in production
The two techniques used in making fizzy drinks can be done on both a small scale and large scale. For example on a small scale, some restaurants and fast-food places have carbonator machines that add carbon dioxide to drinks, meaning there’s no need for bottles or cans as your drink can be poured directly into your glass.
On the other hand, large-scale production requires more precision and efficiency, even though the principle is the same. It’s usually automated based on pre-programmed recipes and also requires bottling or canning.
The key ingredients of fizzy drinks
The most obvious identifier of fizzy drinks is the ‘fizz’ or bubbles that make a hissing sound when a bottle or soda can is opened. If the drink is shaken before it’s opened, the soda foam can overflow and spill. Hence, the main ingredient that easily identifies fizzy drinks is the dissolved gas that creates the bubbles.
Here are the key ingredients of fizzy drinks:
- Water – this serves as the solvent for the other ingredients
- Carbon dioxide – CO2 is added to water under pressure to make carbonated water
- Fructose corn syrup – this is a viscous liquid with a high sugar (fructose) concentration. It can either be diluted with carbonated water or added in precise amounts to each container
- Colour – for example, caramel colour is present in cola drinks, and other fizzy drinks have different artificial colourings, such as orange and green
- Caffeine – caffeine is a common ingredient in many fizzy drinks, especially cola. It’s thought to cause some level of addiction to soft drinks
- Phosphoric acid – this is mainly added as a preservative to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi. It’s also responsible for the characteristic tangy taste
- Citric acid – chemically identical to the chemical found in citrus fruits, citric acid acts as a preservative and gives fizzy drinks their fruity flavour. It should not be confused with ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate – these are inorganic salts that are commonly added as preservatives
Is carbon dioxide used in fizzy drinks?
As we’ve previously mentioned, the presence of carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks is what defines the drinks. Without carbon dioxide, your drink would be just flavoured water or ordinary juice.
The dissolved carbon dioxide gives fizzy drinks their unique flavour and texture. The water also becomes a bit acidic, and acids are also sometimes added to the mixture to enhance the stinging but pleasurable sensation.
Why is carbon dioxide used in fizzy drinks?
When carbon dioxide is added to water under high pressure, it dissolves to form carbonated water. Fructose syrup and other ingredients are then mixed with the carbonated water to produce fizzy drinks.
Carbon dioxide was originally added as a preservative to prevent the sugary content from spoiling and to make the drink look more interesting. It also contributes to the unique taste of fizzy drinks.
Carbon dioxide is highly soluble in water and is safe when compared to other types of gases that can also produce fizz or bubbles.
Is carbon dioxide in fizzy drinks bad for you?
Carbon dioxide itself is safe as a drinks additive; it does not cause any serious or long-term health issues.
When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, it temporarily forms a weak acid, known as carbonic acid (H2CO3). This acid contributes to the tingly sensation on your tongue when you consume fizzy drinks. The carbon dioxide and its resultant acid don’t inflict any real harm, although they can be easily burped.
How much carbon dioxide is in fizzy drinks?
The level of dissolved carbon dioxide in water, otherwise known as carbonation, is measured in terms of either ‘volumes’ or grams per litre.
A typical fizzy drink has a carbon dioxide content of between six and eight grams per litre, or three to four volumes. A volume of carbonation is equivalent to one litre of carbon dioxide in one litre of water.
The acids found in fizzy drinks
Fizzy drinks contain several types of acid, depending on the brand and specific product. The most common type of acid in fizzy drinks is carbonic acid, which is a weak acid formed by the reaction of carbon dioxide with water.
The second most common acid in fizzy drinks is phosphoric acid, which serves as a preservative. This is followed by citric acid, which acts as both a preservative and flavouring.
Health implications of fizzy drinks
Anything that’s taken in excess has the potential to be harmful, and it’s certainly no different for fizzy drinks.
Occasionally drinking fizzy drinks isn’t generally harmful. Moderate consumption can be once a week or even just once a month.
Drinking it on a daily basis, however, is different. The acid and sugar in fizzy drinks can damage your teeth and you might get cavities. The acid may also weaken your bones as it can block calcium absorption. The high sugar content in many fizzy drinks can also lead to diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Are fizzy drinks harmful?
Fizzy drinks are considered to be harmful to your health, both in the short- and long-run. Just like other sugary drinks, they can cause type II diabetes when consumed over a long period. The high sugar content also leads to tooth decay, while the acids in the drink can also weaken tooth enamel.
The phosphoric acid in fizzy drinks competes with calcium absorption, which may lead to osteoporosis. Although consuming too many fizzy drinks can increase the risk of liver disease, it’s not necessarily worse than alcohol, which can cause liver cancer.
Sugar content and its effects
The exact sugar content of fizzy drinks varies depending on the brand and how much you drink.
For example, a can of Coke contains 39 grams of sugar, which is more than 80% of your recommended daily sugar intake.
Additionally, a certain amount of sugar can stay in your mouth for a few minutes or even hours after drinking a fizzy drink. This sugar then serves as food for the bacteria that lives in your mouth, which produce acid as a byproduct. Couple that with the acid in the drink, and it can lead to tooth decay.
Regularly drinking fizzy drinks may also cause your cells to develop insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Long-term health risks
Obesity, tooth decay, and some chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions, may result from the long-term and regular consumption of fizzy drinks. Health risks vary from person to person, but even if you have no family history of diabetes, your risk can increase.
Conclusion
There are many health risks associated with consuming fizzy drinks, even on an occasional basis. If you cannot totally avoid them, try and drink fizzy drinks in moderation – and never on a daily basis. Fizzy drinks have zero nutritional value, and the acids and sugar they contain can cause chronic diseases.
