Diet fizzy drinks linked to weight gain, new report suggests
1 in 6 Brits started drinking diet soft drinks to be healthier, but found it caused more problems than it solved
42% drink diet fizzy drinks in an attempt to reduce their sugar intake
- 14% (4,519,000) started drinking diet soft drinks to lead a healthier lifestyle but found it caused more problems than it solved
- 42% (21,297,000) drink low to zero calorie sugary drinks in an attempt to reduce their sugar intake
- 36% (17,319,000) agree that in the absence of sugar, they are not entirely sure what is in no added sugar drinks to maintain their sweetness
- 24% (12,131,000) agree that in a week they will drink between 5-10 low to zero calorie sugary drinks
- 30% (15,701,000) find water boring so they don't drink it much
Lena Jüngst, co-founder of air up, discusses how healthy hydration can combat Britain's burgeoning sugar addictions
Hi Laura,
I hope you're well and that this is of interest to you! If you have any questions or would like to speak with air up's founder, Lena Jüngst, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
It has been reported recently in a study by JAMA Network Open that drinks made with sucralose may stimulate appetite among some people. Sucralose is a sugar alternative that can often be found in diet fizzy drinks, which if consumers are drinking to aid weight loss may actually hinder their progress as it makes them crave more food.
The soft drinks market in the UK is worth £3.8 billion dominated by these sugary drinks and those labelled as 'zero-calorie' still filled with a variety of additives and sweeteners. In fact, YouGov have revealed that, of our top 10 soft drinks in the UK, 8 are jam packed full of sugars and additives.
In fact, in a landmark study by hydration innovators, air up, it has been found that 14% of Brits started drinking diet soft drinks to lead a healthier lifestyle but have found it caused more problems than it solved, with 24% drinking between 5-10 in a week. As well as this, 42% admit to drinking diet soft drinks in an attempt to reduce their sugar intake, but 36% agree that in the absence of sugar they are not entirely sure what is in no added sugar drinks to maintain their sweetness.
Key stats:
- 14% (4,519,000) started drinking diet soft drinks to lead a healthier lifestyle but found it caused more problems than it solved
- 42% (21,297,000) drink low to zero calorie sugary drinks in an attempt to reduce their sugar intake
- 36% (17,319,000) agree that in the absence of sugar, they are not entirely sure what is in no added sugar drinks to maintain their sweetness
- 24% (12,131,000) agree that in a week they will drink between 5-10 low to zero calorie sugary drinks
- 30% (15,701,000) find water boring so they don't drink it much
The world first in drinks technology is here to educate the masses, quench our thirst, and cut out these chemical nasties without sacrificing the flavours we crave, providing a healthy, cheaper alternative for the 37% of Brits struggling to find just that. The unique design and innovation utilises retronasal smell to provide a better, more interesting way to get our favourite flavours while drinking 100% pure water and educating Brits on the copious amounts of sugar they consume in their current favourite soft drinks.
Studies have shown that up to 80% of the flavour we perceive comes from smell, not taste, which is why the smell of food is so linked to appetite and why people hold their nose when they eat or drink something unpleasant. When we eat or drink, flavour filled air rises up to our nose and takes our senses beyond the five basic tastes of sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami.
So how does air up work?
air up harnesses this clever bit of science by infusing flavoured air into every sip of water from the bottle. One of 14 different flavours will be added in bubbles every time you drink and it is this that will give your 100% pure water its flavour. Each pod contains natural flavourings and scents that infuse with ambient air to be added to the pure water, these flavours range from Lime and Orange-Passionfruit to Cola and Iced Coffee with ten others in between.
Where can I buy one?
Air up’s reusable water bottles and fully recyclable flavour pods are available from their website. The Starter Set, including one bottle and two scent pods, is priced at £29.95 to £34.95 depending on the colour of the bottle. Each additional pack of three pods (flavouring a minimum of 15 litres of water) starts from £5.95, depending on the flavour.
Lena Jüngst, co-founder of air up, comments:
“air up is a new and fascinating way to taste. What I love most about our product, as a designer, is that it shows that a more healthy and sustainable lifestyle can still be fun and appealing. For me that is a very promising sign for our future, and something that we have worked hard to achieve.
Personally, I am really excited to make the step into the UK with air up, I have relatives here and have always seen it as one of the most welcoming places in Europe to innovation. We have had a great reception from our customers so far and I can’t wait to see our water bottles being used in the UK!”
Lena is also keen to discuss:
- Our sugar consumption patterns and healthier alternatives
- The environmental impact of the soft drinks industry and single-use plastic bottles
- The innovative design and neuroscience behind air up that could be the answer to our goals for healthier lifestyles and curbing our addictions to sugar