A soft drink is a type of soft drink based on natural water or carbonated
water with sodium carbonate (commonly called soda) and almost always with
the addition of flavorings and sweet substances ( sugar or sweeteners or fructose).
These drinks may also contain caffeine, taurine (in particular the so-called
energy drinks) and/or gum arabic and are sometimes used
in the preparation of cocktails.
Drinks include gazzosa, chinotto, tonic water, orange, citron or grapefruit
foams and cola-based drinks. For packaging, in addition to can packaging, bottling
in glass or PET plastic bottles is widespread.

History

The first non-carbonated soft drinks to be marketed in the Western
world were prepared in the 17th century. They were composed of
water and lemon juice made sweet with honey. In 1676 a Compagnie
des Limonadiers of Paris secured the monopoly for the sale of this
type of drink to thirsty passers-by who were distributed goblets filled
from small demijohns loaded on the backs of street vendors.
In the 18th century, science contributed significantly to the creation of what
would later be modern mineral waters. It was in 1767 that Englishman
Joseph Priestley first discovered a method of infusing water with
carbon dioxide to create carbonated water.
Priestley experiment took place in a Leeds brewery.
Priestley discovered carbonated water, which is the component of most soft drinks.
Priestley realized that the water, although treated, had a pleasant taste and offered
it to friends as a refreshing drink. In 1772 the scientist published a treatise entitled
Impregnating Water with Fixed Air in which he described the distillation
of the so-called oil of vitriol (oil of vitriol, or sulfuric acid) useful
to produce gas from carbon dioxide and favor its dissolution
in a container in which water was stirred. Another Englishman,
John Mervin Nooth, implemented Priestley's discovery by producing
a device for commercial use intended for pharmacies.
The Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman, then, in turn invented
a device for the generation of carbonated water using gypsum
and sulfuric acid. With this system it was possible to produce an imitation
of mineral water in large quantities.
Finally, in the late 18th century, the Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius
began to add flavorings (spices, fruit juices and wine) to carbonated water.

Features

This type of drink is often referred to by different names, borrowed
from those in use on the Anglo-Saxon market: soft drink, pop, soda, coke,
soda pop, fizzy drink, tonic or carbonated beverage.
Soft drink is the most widespread and used term. Products such as energy drinks
used by sportsmen and fruit juices in general
are not considered soft drinks, just as hot chocolate, tea, coffee and milk based drinks
cannot be (including smoothies and milkshakes).
Usually served cold or at room temperature, soft drinks are called
soft drinks in contrast to the defined beverages - always in the Anglo-Saxon market -
hard drinks, or alcoholic beverages. However, small amounts of ethanol
can also be present in soft drinks, although the alcoholic strength
cannot exceed 0.5% of the total volume of the product in case
the drink is to be classified as non-alcoholic . The most common drinks are,
in addition to the already mentioned colas, foams and fizzy drinks,
lemonade and orange soda, in addition to lime-based drinks, root beer
(a particular type of carbonated beer widespread in North America), grape soda,
vanillin-based cream soda, ginger ale, fruit-based punch to be served cold and without alcohol
(Delaware Punch), syrup-based squash of fruit, the Julmust.

Health effects

Excessive consumption of sugary drinks is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes
mellitus, dental caries and low nutritional levels. Experimental studies
tend to support a causal role for sugary soft drinks
in relation to these ailments although this is questioned by other researchers.
It should be understood that sweetened drinks include both those that use
high fructose corn syrup, as well as those that use sucrose.
Many sodas contain ingredients that are themselves of concern:
caffeine, when consumed in excess, causes the of states of anxiety
and sleep disturbances. Evaluations on the effects
in relation to health of high fructose corn syrup
and artificial sweeteners remain controversial. Sodium benzoate has been studied
as a possible cause of DNA damage and as a cause of hyperactivity.
Other substances have adverse health effects, but are present in such small
quantities that they are probably irrelevant to result in a
substantial health risk. In 1998, the Center for Science
in the Public Interest published a report on the possible health
harms of soft drinks entitled Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks
are Harming Americans' Health. The report looked at the statistics
on soft drink consumption, particularly by young people,
and the health consequences, including diseases that can affect the heart.
It also looked at the commercialization of soft drinks and formulated
various recommendations aimed at reducing, or at least containing, the consumption
of soft drinks. Due to their effects on health, the legislation
of some countries provides for the application of a tax on sugary drinks
(often called Soda Tax), aimed at discouraging their consumption
and to cover part of the greater expenses for the
health system deriving from it. (source Wikipedia)

(Selection 2023 )