Latest news with #softdrinks
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
7Up's Original Formula Contained A Substance That Really Put The 'Up' In The Drink
Back at the turn of the 19th and early 20th century, when soft drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi were first created, it was mainly pharmacists who came up with these beloved (and demonized) drinks with the idea of creating health tonics. As an example, Pepsi was named after the medical term for indigestion, that is, dyspepsia. But back then, what was considered healthy was a bit different from today. While Coke actually contained small amounts of cocaine, 7Up contained lithium, a mood-stabilizer that today is used to treat bipolar disorder and some forms of depression. 7Up's inventor -- Charles Leiper Grigg, who wasn't a pharmacist -- highlighted the use of lithium citrate, a naturally occurring alkali metal with psychotropic (or mood altering) effects, in his soda. He allegedly named it Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon Lime Soda, but it was more likely simply called 7Up from the beginning. The meaning of this mysterious moniker has been lost to time, but the "up" part may be related to lithium's enhancing effects. A the time Grigg created his new drink, lithium was a bit of a mystery and didn't come into use as a psychiatric drug until around 20 years later. Read more: 11 Ginger Ale Brands, Ranked From Worst To Best Charles Lieper Grigg, who had started the Howdy Corporation in 1920, began working on the formula for a new lemon-flavored soda. In a crowded field of around 600 competitors, he needed to find a way to stand out. By 1929, just weeks before the stock market crash that helped lead to the Great Depression, Grigg had perfected his new soda. There were a few key differences between his new concoction and the competition. It was a lemon-lime soda with a bit less sugar and more fizz. And, of course, there was the lithium. Among the supposed curative effects of 7Up, Grigg successfully promoted it as a hangover cure, which is funny considering that a few decades later someone came up with the idea of combining Seagram's 7 and 7Up, a hugely popular highball in the 1970s and (likely) the cause of more than a few hangovers. Also like Coke, which had removed any cocaine from its soda by 1929, 7Up removed lithium in 1948, after studies determined the possibility of serious side effects from its overuse. Even without the lithium, 7Up continued to grow in popularity, knocking out the competition, such as the now-discontinued Sierra Mist. The days of drug-laden soft drinks are over, but their descendants live on. Read the original article on Chowhound.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayi AS (IST:AEFES) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: ...
Release Date: May 08, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Anadolu Efes Biracilik ve Malt Sanayi AS (IST:AEFES) reported a solid volume growth of 12% on a consolidated basis, driven by strong momentum in soft drink operations. The company has set a new vision to become the fastest growing beverage company with beloved brands, focusing on consumer satisfaction and community enrichment. Anadolu Efes is actively pursuing geographical expansion, reaching consumers in around 70 countries, and exploring local production partnerships in strategic markets. The company is diversifying its revenue streams by entering new business areas, such as the distilled spirits category in Turkey through a partnership with William Grant and Sons. Anadolu Efes is committed to sustainability, with half of its raw materials sourced from agriculture, and has concrete investment and action plans in place to support this initiative. The company's beer group volumes declined slightly by 0.7%, attributed to a high base from the previous year and economic challenges. Anadolu Efes faced a negative free cash flow due to seasonal working capital buildup and ongoing greenfield projects in soft drink operations. The company's net debt to EBITDA ratio stands at 2 times, indicating a relatively high level of leverage. The exclusion of Russian operations from consolidation has impacted the financial statements, with these operations now classified as financial investments. Anadolu Efes experienced a decline in beer group sales revenue by 9.6% on a pro forma basis, primarily due to currency depreciation and increased discounts in Turkey. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with IST:AEFES. Q: Are you planning to provide guidance for beer group operations like revenue margins and CapEx in 2025? A: CEO Mr. Raluk stated that due to the unique situation in Russia, they will not provide specific guidance for 2025. However, they expect flat to modest market growth across operations, with a focus on outperforming the market in every geography. The CapEx spending ratio is approximately 7-8% of sales revenue, with variations across regions. Q: Can you explain the factors behind the relatively low net income in Russia despite generating significant EBITDA? A: CFO Mr. Ga Ashmay explained that the net income difference is primarily due to foreign currency-denominated cash holdings in Russia, which create FX losses impacting net income. Q: What is your strategy for geographical expansion and diversification into new industries? A: CEO Mr. Raluk emphasized their growth strategy includes enhancing brands and expanding product ranges. They are seeking geographical expansion opportunities, particularly in CIS countries, and are exploring potential investments in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, China, Belarus, and Central Asia. Q: What are your expectations for free cash flow and leverage by the end of 2025? A: CFO Mr. Ga Ashmay expects corrections from the current negative cash flow levels, aiming for flat cash flow by year-end. Leverage is expected to remain parallel to current levels. Q: How did the reclassification of Russian operations affect your financial statements? A: CFO Mr. Ga Ashmay noted that Russian operations are now classified as financial investments, impacting the income statement. The fair value of Russian operations was calculated at $1.3 billion, with half attributed to minority interests. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
07-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
‘San Pellegrino Limonata? It's no better than Pepsi'
What is Italy's greatest export? Yes, we love the wine, the cheese, the olive oil and the pasta. But the other delicacy we have grown to know and love – which graces the shelves of wholefood stores and Italian delis – is San Pellegrino. Is there anything as refreshing as an ice-cold Limonata, San Pellegrino's thirst-quenching cloudy lemonade? We seem to put these fruity soft drinks on a pedestal above the likes of Pepsi, Lucozade and Fanta. Somehow, in pride of place in deli fridges across the country, they seem more natural and organic. They are made by a brand renowned for its sparkling water, so they must be healthier... right? Limonata lovers, look away now. Emma Shafqat, a paediatric dietitian, says that whilst she 'can see why people might think of San Pellegrino Limonata as a healthier drink, it's really no better than a can of Pepsi or regular lemonade'. Jeannette Hyde, a registered nutritional therapist and author of The Gut Makeover, agrees. 'Personally I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole,' she asserts. However, Bini Suresh, the lead for dietetics at Cleveland Clinic London and BDA spokesperson, believes Limonata has its place in a balanced diet, when enjoyed mindfully and not relied on for hydration or nutrition. Is San Pellegrino Limonata not as healthy as we think? And how does it compare to other fizzy drinks? Are there any health benefits of drinking Limonata? Both Shafqat and Hyde take a moment when faced with this question. It seems the health benefits of drinking a can of Limonata are decidedly minimal, although Hyde points to its list of ingredients being more natural and organic than the likes of Pepsi and Lucozade. It's made with 16 per cent fruit juice from 'ripe lemons from southern Italy', natural flavourings, and includes some zest, too. This marks a contrast to other soft drinks which contain all sorts of acids, caffeine, and artificial colourings. Additionally, Suresh points to the lemon juice providing a small amount of vitamin C. A 2025 review in Molecules highlights the importance of vitamin C for our health thanks to its antioxidant effect and role in immunity. However, Suresh notes the amount in a can of Limonata 'isn't a quantity significant enough to offer a functional benefit'. She therefore acknowledges that whilst a can of Limonata may be enjoyed socially as a refreshing alternative to alcohol, its health benefits are 'modest at best, context dependent' and, in her opinion, 'minimal'. She points to San Pellegrino's 'Zero Added Sugar' variation, which has just 13 calories and 1.1g sugar per can. Alongside water, lemon juice from concentrate, and natural lemon flavourings, it contains sweeteners. 'This is a lower-sugar alternative that may better support moderation and metabolic health, particularly for individuals with insulin resistance, prediabetes, or weight management goals,' she concludes. The case against Limonata So, what makes Limonata so lacking in the eyes of our nutritionists? One word: sugar. The Government recently announced its plans to expand the sugar tax – a levy applied to sugary soft drinks with the aim of reducing obesity levels. Whilst it currently applies to drinks with more than 5g of sugar per 100ml, the threshold may be lowered to 4g. Among the offenders that would be subject to this widened tax are Fanta, Pepsi, Lucozade, and – perhaps surprisingly – San Pellegrino's Limonta and Aranciata cans. Limonata contains 4.5g of sugar per 100ml which puts it on the same level as Fanta Orange, Lucozade, Rubicon and Pepsi. 'It's important to note that an entire can has almost 15g of sugar,' Shafqat says. 'The NHS recommends adults should consume no more than 30g of free sugars per day – if you drink two cans of Limonata, you've reached that maximum.' The health risks of a high-sugar diet are well-established. According to a comprehensive review in the Nutrients journal, people that consume more sugar-sweetened beverages tend to gain more weight and have a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, the sugar in fizzy drinks is easily digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, which can cause a quick rise in blood sugar levels, Hyde explains. Whilst most fruits are sugary, they also contain fibre, which tends to be found in the skin, pulp and seeds. Fibre helps to regulate blood sugar levels and prevents rapid spikes and crashes. Therefore, when you drink a sugary fruit drink which doesn't contain fibre, and without food, Hyde says 'you're instantly putting yourself on a rollercoaster of a sugar high, followed by a dip, which is followed by further cravings'. Suresh adds that liquid calories are 'less satiating, making it easy to overconsume' which can be problematic for those maintaining or on a weight loss journey. These links are well-established in scientific research, with a 2021 study in World Journal of Diabetes highlighting that sugar-sweetened beverages can contribute to increased blood glucose concentrations, hunger, and potential weight gain. Additionally, San Pellegrino's fizzy fruit drinks used to contain much more sugar, around 9g per 100ml (almost 30g per can). The company launched its new recipe in the UK in 2018 with a proportion of the added sugar replaced with stevia, which saw the sugar content of its fruit beverage range drop by an average of 40 per cent. And whilst the 'Zero Added Sugar' variation is a low calorie and sugar swap, it does contain a couple of unfamiliar ingredients – acesulfame K and sucralose, both of which are artificial sweeteners. Whilst they are generally recognised as safe for consumption, the former has been linked to increased appetite, and the latter to weight gain in animal studies. How does it compare to other fizzy drinks? A can of San Pellegrino Limonata contains as much sugar as some popular fizzy drinks, although the company says its fruity drinks are 'made with 30 per cent less sugar than similar sugar sweetened beverages'. Suresh says Limonata 'may be perceived as a cleaner label product' compared to alternatives which contain artificial flavourings and sweeteners. What about other 'posh' sparkling drinks? With its sophisticated branding and Italian heritage, many perceive San Pellegrino as a class above the rest. In fact, in recent years, interest in premium and 'trendy' soft drinks has risen as many turn away from alcohol and sugar towards the world of wellness. Suresh, Hyde, and Shafqat all agree that Dash sparkling water is one of the healthiest 'posh' soft drinks as it has just three calories and no sugars or sweeteners in a can. 'It's the best for regular use,' Suresh says, as it's essentially infused water which provides hydration support. San Pellegrino's 'Essenza' fruity sparkling water range is nutritionally comparable. Its Lemon and Lemon Zest drink contains no sugars or sweeteners. Its purely natural mineral water, carbon dioxide, and natural flavourings – and also has just three calories per can. A San Pellegrino spokesperson says: 'At San Pellegrino, we offer a diverse range of authentic Italian products that cater to various tastes and occasions. From our no-sugar Essenza range to the newly introduced Zero Added Sugar range made with juice from Mediterranean fruits, we are committed to consistently delivering great-tasting and high-quality drinks that meet our consumers' needs.' Shafqat is also fond of Hip Pop Living Soda – a premium fizzy drink which claims to support gut health, with 8g of plant fibre per 100ml. It's also lower in sugar, with 1.6g per 100ml. And you can't reference 'posh' soft drinks without acknowledging the rise in popularity of kombucha. Hyde says she drinks it at social events when she doesn't fancy alcohol as it's low in sugar and good for the gut, but still tastes pleasant. Her favourite is Momo – an authentically brewed and unfiltered kombucha. Suresh therefore puts traditional Limonata on the same level as Cawston Press Elderflower Lemonade – whilst they're both sugary, she recommends people enjoy them as an occasional treat. She says the 'Zero Added Sugar' Limonata is a 'reasonable compromise' for those transitioning away from traditional fizzy drinks, whilst the Essenza Lemon and Lemon Zest drink 'provides a flavoursome alternative to plain water, which is great for anyone aiming to stay hydrated without added sugars or sweeteners'. The expert verdict 'Whilst traditional Limonata has more natural ingredients than Pepsi, just don't be fooled into thinking you're having any less sugar when you drink it,' Hyde says. 'Moderation is important – drink one now and again if you fancy it, but maybe consider sometimes swapping it out for sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon or lime.' What to drink instead – and still feel refreshed When you need a sweet, refreshing hit, Hyde recommends her simple chilled hibiscus tea. 'It's high in polyphenols with antioxidant powers, plus you get a fruity flavour without a fructose, sugar or aspartame dump,' she says. It's slightly tart and a vibrant red colour – if you prefer a sweeter beverage, Hyde recommends adding a touch of raw unpasteurised honey. More of her gut healthy recipes can be found here.
