Soft drink

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A glass of cola served with ice cubes

A soft drink (also called soda, pop, coke,[1] soda pop, fizzy drink, seltzer, mineral,[2] lolly
water[3] or carbonated beverage) is abeverage that typically contains carbonated water,
a sweetener and a flavoring. The sweetener may be sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit
juice, sugar substitutes (in the case of diet drinks) or some combination of these. Soft drinks may
also contain caffeine, colorings, preservatives and other ingredients.
Soft drinks are called "soft" in contrast to "hard drinks" (alcoholic beverages). Small amounts
of alcohol may be present in a soft drink, but the alcohol content must be less than 0.5% of the
total volume[4][5] if the drink is to be considered non-alcoholic.[6] Fruit juice, tea and other such nonalcoholic beverages are technically soft drinks by this definition but are not generally referred to
as such.
Soft drinks may be served chilled or at room temperature, and some, such as Dr Pepper, can be
served warm.[7]
Contents
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1 History
o 1.1 Carbonated drinks
o 1.2 Soda fountain pioneers
o 1.3 Soda fountains vs. bottled sodas
o 1.4 Soft drink bottling industry
1.4.1 Automatic production of glass bottles
1.4.2 Home-Paks and vending machines
2 Production
o 2.1 Soft drink production
o 2.2 Ingredient quality
2.2.1 Potential alcohol content
3 Producers
4 Health concerns
o 4.1 Obesity and weight-related diseases
o 4.2 Dental decay

o 4.3 Hypokalemia
o 4.4 Soft drinks related to bone density and bone loss
o 4.5 Sugar content
o 4.6 Benzene
o 4.7 Pesticides in India
o 4.8 Kidney stones
5 Government regulation
o 5.1 Schools
o 5.2 Taxation
o 5.3 Bans
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

History[edit]
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The first marketed soft drinks in the Western world appeared in the 17th century. They were
made of water and lemon juice sweetened with honey. In 1676, the Compagnie des
Limonadiers of Paris was granted a monopoly for the sale of lemonade soft drinks. Vendors
carried tanks of lemonade on their backs and dispensed cups of the soft drink to thirsty
Parisians.[8]

Carbonated drinks[edit]

Soft drinks displayed on grocery store shelves.

In the late 18th century, scientists made important progress in replicating naturally
carbonated mineral waters. In 1767, EnglishmanJoseph Priestley first discovered a method of
infusing water with carbon dioxide to make carbonated water[9] when he suspended a bowl of
distilled water above a beer vat at a local brewery in Leeds, England. His invention of carbonated
water (also known as soda water) is the major and defining component of most soft drinks.[10]
Priestley found that water treated in this manner had a pleasant taste, and he offered it to friends
as a refreshing drink. In 1772, Priestley published a paper entitled Impregnating Water with Fixed
Air in which he describes dripping oil of vitriol (or sulfuric acid as it is now called) onto chalk to
produce carbon dioxide gas, and encouraging the gas to dissolve into an agitated bowl of
water.[10]
Another Englishman, John Mervin Nooth, improved Priestley's design and sold his apparatus for
commercial use in pharmacies. Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman invented a generating
apparatus that made carbonated water from chalk by the use of sulfuric acid. Bergman's
apparatus allowed imitation mineral water to be produced in large amounts. Swedish

chemist Jns Jacob Berzeliusstarted to add flavors (spices, juices, and wine) to carbonated
water in the late eighteenth century.

Soda fountain pioneers[edit]

Main article: Soda fountain
Artificial mineral waters, usually called "soda water", and the soda fountain were mostly popular
in the United States.[citation needed] Beginning in 1806, Yale University chemistry professor Benjamin
Silliman sold soda waters in New Haven, Connecticut. He used a Nooth apparatus to produce his
waters. Businessmen in Philadelphia and New York City also began selling soda water in the
early 19th century. In the 1830s, John Matthews of New York City and John Lippincott of
Philadelphia began manufacturing soda fountains. Both men were successful and built large
factories for fabricating fountains.

Soda fountains vs. bottled sodas[edit]

In 19th century America, the drinking of either natural or artificial mineral water was considered a
healthy practice and promoted by advocates of temperance. The American pharmacists selling
mineral waters began to add herbs and chemicals to unflavored mineral water. They used birch
bark (see birch beer), dandelion, sarsaparilla, fruit extracts, and other substances. Flavorings
were also added to improve the taste. Pharmacies with soda fountains became a popular part of
American culture. Many Americans frequented the soda fountain on a daily basis. Due to
problems in the U.S. glass industry, bottled drinks were a small portion of the market in the 19th
century. (However, they were known in England. In The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, published in
1848, the caddish Huntingdon, recovering from months of debauchery, wakes at noon and gulps
a bottle of soda-water.[11]) In America, most soft drinks were dispensed and consumed at a soda
fountain, usually in a drugstore or ice cream parlor. In the early 20th century, sales of bottled
soda increased exponentially. In the second half of the 20th century, canned soft drinks became
an important share of the market.

Soft drink bottling industry[edit]

Over 1,500 U.S. patents were filed for either a cork, cap, or lid for the carbonated drink bottle
tops during the early days of the bottling industry. Carbonated drink bottles are under great
pressure from the gas. Inventors were trying to find the best way to prevent the carbon dioxide or
bubbles from escaping. In 1892, the "Crown Cork Bottle Seal" was patented by William Painter, a
Baltimore, Maryland machine shop operator. It was the first very successful method of keeping
the bubbles in the bottle.
Automatic production of glass bottles[edit]
In 1899, the first patent was issued for a glass-blowing machine for the automatic production of
glass bottles. Earlier glass bottles had all been hand-blown. Four years later, the new bottleblowing machine was in operation. It was first operated by the inventor, Michael Owens, an
employee of Libby Glass Company. Within a few years, glass bottle production increased from
1,400 bottles a day to about 58,000 bottles a day.