Latest news with #Splenda
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Hindustan Times
Diet Cherry Coke returns to US with limited edition retro packaging
Fans of Diet Cherry Coke, rejoice. After disappearing from store shelves in 2020, the beloved cherry-flavored version of Diet Coke is making a comeback. The news was first broken by Instagram food influencer Snackolator, who wrote, 'Diet Cherry Coke is returning for a limited time with retro packaging!' The caption added, 'It's been years since the OG Diet Cherry Coke has been out, so I'm really looking forward to getting it again.' A post shared by Snackolator (@snackolator) The soft drink, originally launched in 1985, is expected to return to shelves this summer with packaging inspired by its original 80s look. The relaunch will likely include 20-ounce bottles, 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, and even 24-packs exclusively for Costco members in Canada, according to multiple reports. While Coca-Cola has not yet made an official statement, the buzz online has made fans hopeful. The company recently brought back another vintage flavor from 1905. Last year, Coca-Cola quietly phased out two of its offerings: Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla and Diet Coke with Splenda. While there was no formal press release, the company did confirm the discontinuation on X (formerly Twitter). 'We decided to discontinue Coca-Cola Cherry Vanilla due to consumers' taste preferences and lifestyles constantly changing,' the company wrote. 'As a Total Beverage Company, we are always searching for ways to evolve our product portfolio to bring consumers the beverages they want.' Back in 2018, Coca-Cola gave the Diet Coke lineup a fresh spin, launching bold new flavors like Feisty Cherry and Ginger Lime to attract a younger crowd. To make room, old favorites like Diet Cherry Coke were pulled from shelves and made available only through Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. Then came the pandemic. With aluminum shortages and supply chain chaos, Coca-Cola was pushed to prioritise top-selling items. The company explained the decision as part of its ongoing strategy to adapt to changing consumer preferences and said it is 'always searching for ways to evolve [its] product portfolio to bring consumers the beverages they want.' On June 5, Coca-Cola Beverages Florida appointed Leroy Yancey, Jr as Vice President of Distribution Operations and James 'Jim' Boyce as Vice President of Manufacturing Operations. A cherry-flavored, low-calorie version of Diet Coke, originally launched in 1985. It was discontinued from stores in 2020, but is making a return for a limited time now with retro packaging. A bolder cherry-flavored Diet Coke launched in 2018, discontinued in 2020 during a product lineup refresh. It offered a bolder cherry taste with a hint of spice.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Drinking Diet Coke has been tied to heart health risks. Here's what you should know
Drinking Diet Coke and other similar beverages may be associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, among other health issues, according to new research. Although the reason remains unclear, some scientists say the drink's artificial sweeteners may trigger inflammation and alter metabolism, gut and blood vessels. Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said the sweeteners may promote type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. 'Do not take it for granted that drinking low-sugar and low-calorie artificially sweetened beverages is healthy, it may pose potential health risks,' Dr. Ningjian Wang, a researcher at the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital in China, said in a statement. People with diabetes or those trying to lose weight may turn to artificial sweeteners and could already be at risk for potential problems. But the overall message from medical professionals is clear. A study from U.C. Irvine found people who consumed the most artificial sweeteners had a 9 percent higher risk for cardiovascular disease and an 18 percent greater risk for stroke or other disease. The American Heart Association found that adults who drink about two liters or more of artificially sweetened drinks per week had a higher risk of an irregular heartbeat. "Avoiding added artificial sugars makes sense, and this study helps to support that," UC Irvine health cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth H. Dineen said. Several sweeteners appear to be the most problematic, including those used in Diet Coke and Coke Zero, researchers found. A request for comment from Coca-Cola was not immediately returned. The sweetener aspartame — which is also widely known as the brand Equal — and sucralose, or Splenda, have been linked to a higher risk of stroke and coronary artery disease. Aspartame is also used in chewing gum, ice cream, cereal, cough drops, and yogurt. It's 200 times sweeter than regular sugar and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a general-purpose sweetener in 1996. It is widely recognized as one of the most researched ingredients in the world. The FDA says it disagrees with conclusions that studies support classifying aspartame as a possible carcinogen to humans. 'Scientific evidence has continued to support the FDA's conclusion that aspartame is safe for the general population when made under good manufacturing practices and used under the approved conditions of use,' the agency says. 'The assessments of aspartame have indicated that, while safety is not a major concern at the doses which are commonly used, potential effects have been described that need to be investigated by more and better studies,' the World Health Organization's Dr. Francesco Branco said. That doesn't mean people cannot consume it. Moderate use should be fine. Coca-Cola notes that people with the rare hereditary disorder phenylketonuria should strictly limit their intake of phenylalanine: a common amino acid found in aspartame. 'A 2022 study found that people who consumed higher amounts of aspartame had a slightly higher risk overall of developing cancer, especially breast cancer and obesity-related cancers. However, it is unclear precisely what amount of aspartame a person would need to consume over time to increase their risk of developing cancer,' City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center oncologist Dr. Misagh Karimi said. So, how much is too much? Just a couple of drinks may increase your risk for negative health outcomes, Michelle Routhenstein, a New York-based registered dietitian who specializes in heart disease, told Fox News Digital. "Research shows that drinking two or more artificially sweetened beverages per day may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke," she said.
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Chick-fil-A brings back fan favorite menu item and surprise addition
Chick-fil-A is living up to its iconic "my pleasure" line this summer. If you thought the popular chicken chain couldn't get more Southern, it's reviving a fan-favorite menu item and revealing a special surprise many didn't see coming. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Recently, beverages have become a top focus in the food industry, leading many to bank on this trend by investing time and resources into developing unique drinks that appeal to a younger audience. Related: Popular chicken chain brings back beloved menu item after 7 years This year, McDonald's announced it would add beverages from CosMc's to its menu and close all spin-off locations, and Yum! Brand's (YUM) Taco Bell opened its beverage-focused Live Más Café at the end of last year. However, with so much growing competition, chains have begun taking ideas from one another in hopes of creating a better version, which has led some to often overlap with each other. Image source: Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Last month, McDonald's (MCD) rolled out its first-ever housemade lemonade nationwide, making it a permanent menu item. However, this tactic seemed a bit familiar to some because although lemonade is a common beverage offered at fast-food establishments, Chick-fil-A is known for being among the first chains to make its own natural version, turning it into a signature menu item. Related: McDonald's menu adds new item that Chick-fil-A fans love Chick-fil-A introduced its freshly squeezed lemonade in 1977, marketing it as a product made with real lemon juice and without preservatives or artificial colors. Since then, freshly squeezed lemonade has become the most-ordered drink on Chick-fil-A's menu, prompting it to launch more varieties. These include the diet version with Splenda, the frosted lemonade, and many seasonal flavor additions. In honor of a new season, Chick-fil-A is returning the Peach Milkshake and launching a new Peach Frosted Lemonade on June 9, which has become a seasonal summer tradition for the last 16 years. More Food News: Walmart makes deal to open popular food chain in storesStarbucks brings back popular menu items after major cutsStarbucks makes major change in rewards program loyal fans will hate The Peach Milkshake blends peach puree with its vanilla milkshake base, topped with whipped cream and a cherry, while the new Peach Frosted Lemonade blends peach puree, Chick-fil-A's iconic lemonade, and soft-serve ice cream. If milkshakes or frosted lemonade aren't your thing, customers can also add peach puree to select drinks, including lemonade, Sonjoy, and tea, to customize a peach drink to their liking, as reported by @snackolator. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Popular artificial sweetener may sabotage fertility: alarming new study
No sugarcoating this deflating news. New research in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives is raising concerns about sucralose — a widely used artificial sweetener sold under the brand name Splenda — suggesting it may negatively affect male fertility. 3 New research suggests sucralose — a widely used artificial sweetener — may negatively impact male fertility. Laurentiu Iordache – Advertisement Researchers administered doses of sucralose to male rats over two months, finding that the exposure led to decreased sperm viability, damage to testicular tissue and hormonal disruptions. Translation? Splenda might just be sinking your swimmers. Previous studies have explored links between artificial sweeteners and reproductive health, though findings have been mixed and often inconclusive. Advertisement While this study's conclusions are noteworthy, there were limitations. The research was conducted on rats, so the results may not directly apply to humans. Additionally, the researchers noted that the amount of sucralose consumed by the rats probably exceeds that of human intake. Advertisement The Post reached out to Splenda's manufacturer for comment. The findings warrant further investigation, especially since infertility is a rising global health issue — with an estimated 12% to 15% of US couples struggling to conceive. It may come as a surprise, but some studies indicate men are responsible for as many as half of infertility cases. Some research even reports that sperm counts in Western countries have dropped by more than 50% since the 1970s. Advertisement 3 Some research shows sperm counts in Western countries have dropped by more than 50% since the 1970s. Getty Images Dr. Dan Nayot, a reproductive endocrinologist, infertility specialist and chief medical adviser at testing and supplement company Bird&Be, told The Post that the statistic is likely not that high, but it's still problematic. 'Research shows a real decline in testosterone levels over the past few decades — likely closer to 20–25%, not 50% — but that's still a significant issue and shouldn't be dismissed,' Nayot said. 'Testosterone plays a critical role in sperm production, so lower levels can lead to reduced sperm quality and impaired fertility.' While the reasons for the drop are not entirely clear, experts point the finger at some of the same factors contributing to the obesity epidemic. 3 To protect your family jewels, one infertility specialist recommends 'adopting healthier habits — such as improving sleep, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking and maintaining a balanced diet.' Getty Images/iStockphoto 'Sperm production is a continuous process, with mature sperm developing over approximately two to three months,' Nayot said. Advertisement 'This process is highly sensitive to lifestyle factors. Research consistently shows that smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity — to name a few — impair sperm quality. In fact, sperm health is often considered a marker of overall wellness, underscoring the importance of prioritizing your physical health.' To protect your family jewels, Nayot recommends 'adopting healthier habits — such as improving sleep, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking and maintaining a balanced diet.' He also suggests taking certain supplements — such as coenzyme Q10, zinc, vitamin E, L-carnitine, folate, selenium and DHA — to help swimmers stay afloat. Based on this study, it also couldn't hurt to find your sweet release elsewhere!
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
UK's Tate & Lyle flags weaker sales growth as tariffs hit food ingredients maker
May 22 (Reuters) - British food ingredients maker Tate & Lyle (TATE.L), opens new tab on Thursday estimated its full-year revenue growth would be 4% at best, less than last year, as the uncertainty over U.S. tariffs has raised costs for the company and its customers. The company, which has manufacturing plants in both the United States and China, said the tariff-related cost increases were mainly for the products it supplies between these two countries. U.S. trade policies have created uncertainty for companies across the globe. While some have responded by passing on costs to customers, finding alternative sourcing or adjusting their manufacturing processes, others await more clarity — despite the temporary truce in the Sino-U.S. trade war announced last week. Tate & Lyle is among the latter, and ahead of such clarity, said it expects revenue growth for the April-March fiscal year to be at, or slightly below, the bottom of its medium-term range of 4% to 6%. The company, which supplies ingredients for Splenda, the sweetener in Diet Coke and other sugar-free drinks, said its revenue increased 5% to 1.74 billion pounds ($2.33 billion) in the year ended March 31. Its shares dropped 2.4% to 588.5 pence in early trading on Thursday. ($1 = 0.7453 pounds)
