Battle of the Diet Colas: Diet Coke Vs. Diet Coke Plus

Most of us have tried all the new flavors and brands of diet soda pops on the market. The beverage companies have become quite creative these days, adding flavors like lemon, lime, cherry, and vanilla, just to name a few. Now that the consumers are demanding more healthier options out of their beverages and switching to healthier choices like flavored bottled water and juices, it has made the soda pop companies scramble for a way to bring back their once loyal consumers.

Furthermore, I found one of these new options just the other day. On a recent grocery store shopping extravaganza, I came upon a new drink that I just had to try at my local super store. Since it was new, it was specially priced, which always catches my eye. The new drink was called Diet Coke Plus. And while the label looked like normal diet coke, the word "Plus" appeared in colorful lettering. The "Plus" in the drink is fortified with vitamins and minerals. Diet Coke Plus contains 15% of your daily value for Niacin (Vitamin 3), as well as containing B6, B12, and 10% of your daily value of Zinc and Magnesium, as stated on the label. I couldn't wait to try it. One of the reasons a lot of people don't like diet pop is because of the after taste it leaves in your mouth, form the artificial sweeteners mainly. But with Diet Coke Plus, it seems as if the Coca -Cola Company may be on to something with this issue. The vitamins and minerals are tasteless, but they seem to balance out the taste of the artificial sweetener, therefore, leaving no after taste in your mouth. This is" the first nutrient-enhanced carbonated soda to be offered by a major brand" (http://money.cnn.com).

Additionally, the vitamins and minerals chosen to be added to this drink were a great choice. According to the website www.calorie-count.com the following facts are true about the vitamins and mineral included in the new Diet Coke Plus. Niacin may lower your cholesterol. Vitamin B6 "It is involved in making hormones, insulin, antibodies, and cell membranes, and is needed for the normal breakdown of protein, carbohydrate and fat." B12 helps with making red blood cells and keeping nerve tissue healthy. Zinc helps to support a healthy immune system, which most of us can use all the help in that department that we can get. And lastly, Magnesium is" important for muscle contractions, a healthy nervous system, immune system and strong bones."

Though, Diet Coke was originally introduced to us back in 1982 (www.dietcoke.com) , it took the Coca-Cola Company 15 years to come up with the idea to try and make soda pop even healthier than just taking the sugar out of it. Although it was a long time coming, it was well worth it. I can hope and keep my fingers crossed and hope that Coca-Cola along with all the other beverage makers in the pop industry continue to make such positive improvements to all of their products. I will definitely be choosing the new and improve version Diet Coke Plus when I go to the store to pick up some diet soda pop. It tastes the same as Diet Coke, but with less after taste and the addition of vitamins and minerals makes this choice a no brainer! The Coca-Cola Company has once again proven to me why I keep coming back for more. I now have one more flavor of carbonated beverage to add to my favorites list. Although getting vitamins and minerals from foods is the best choice, for those of us who like our soda pop and don't eat so healthy all the time, this can definitely help us stay a little healthier.