Guide Note

Carbonated soft drinks, known as sodas, pops, or soda pop, constitute a huge part of the world-wide beverage market.

Fast Facts

1. Also called: Soft drink, pop, soda pop, coke
2. Soda + Ice Cream = Float
3. Coca-Cola: World's most popular soda

Soda drinks started appearing in the late 19th century, starting out as patent medicines, then with addition of carbonation they became popular drinks at soda fountains.

Today, soda comes in many flavors and forms. It is most often sold in a bottle or can, and for almost every brand of soda there is a corresponding "diet" version made with artificial sweeteners. Non-diet sodas are usually sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.

Since soda is high is sugars and calories, and has few minerals or vitamins, most studies have shown high soda intake has a positive correlation with obesity, diabetes, tooth decay and various other health problems such as kidney disease. Ingredients found in some sodas also have cancer-causing properties.

A 12 ounce can of Coke contains 140 calories, 0 grams of fat and 39 grams of sugar.

A 20 ounce bottle of Diet Coke contains 0 calories, 0 grams of fat and 0 grams of sugar.