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How many calories are there in a can of soft drink or juice?

There are about 150 calories in a can of regular soft drink or juice. A wide range of diet beverages are available for people who want to reduce their calorie intake or for diabetics who want to reduce their sugar consumption. Diet soft drinks contain between 1 and 3 calories per can. 

Do soft drinks or juices make you fat?

Obesity is a serious and complex issue. People become overweight when the number of calories consumed exceeds the number of calories expended-or too many calories and not enough physical activity. That is why a moderate, balanced diet, combined with daily physical activity are so important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating says there is a place for all foods in a healthy, balanced diet.  

How much caffeine is in colas?

A can of cola contains about 35 milligrams of caffeine. That's about one-quarter of the amount of caffeine found in an equivalent amount of coffee and about one-half the amount found in tea. 

Is caffeine safe?

All of our ingredients are safe. They have been studied extensively and approved as safe by Health Canada and other regulators around the world. According to Health Canada, consumption of up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is perfectly safe. That is more caffeine than is contained in 12 cans of cola.  

What are functional beverages and why do we need them?

Functional beverages are products fortified with minerals, vitamins or herbs that allow consumers to bolster their diets with the nutritional elements they need, in a healthy and convenient way. Consumers around the world have indicated that they have busy lives, but they want to manage their health in a proactive and effective way. The beverage industry has responded by bringing them products that are healthful, convenient and contain many of the nutrients that they need to keep healthy.

Are there any fortified drink products available in Canada?

While the Canadian beverage industry is working with federal government regulators to bring a full range of functional beverages into this country, a few fortified beverage products have already found success on supermarket shelves here. Calcium-fortified orange juice, the first major fortified beverage introduced to Canada, has been available since 1996.

What is the healthiest beverage to drink?

All foods and beverages have a role in a healthy, balanced lifestyle. The key is choice, balance and variety. Sometimes people want refreshment and enjoyment, sometimes hydration, nutrition, or energy enhancement. The industry offers a wide range of beverage choices to meet all consumer demands. Moderation in what we eat and drink combined with regular physical activity are the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle.

How does caffeine affect a fetus?

Health Canada and other regulatory bodies around the world consider caffeine to be a safe ingredient. It has been studied extensively and has been approved by more than 200 other countries for use in foods and beverages. Most physicians and researchers today agree that it's perfectly safe for pregnant women to consume caffeine. Daily consumption of up to 300 mg/day (approximately two to three 8 oz. cups of brewed coffee) has been shown to have no adverse consequences during pregnancy. However, it is wise for pregnant women to practice moderation in consumption of all foods and beverages. For more information on caffeine, go to http://ific.org/publications/qa/caffqa.cfm.

Why do coffee and cola stain teeth and dentures?

The most common causes of tooth discolouration include consumption of foods, coffee, tea, wine, colas, smoking and aging. In other words, our teeth naturally get more and more stained as time goes on and we continue to live our lives. Fortunately, there are a number of teeth-whitening procedures available at your dentist's office as well as a number of products available at drug stores for use at home.  

Is there a connection between caffeine consumption and hyperactivity in school-aged children?

There is no evidence to show that caffeine is associated with hyperactive behavior. In fact, most well-conducted scientific studies show no effects of caffeine-containing foods--or any food or beverage, in general--on hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder in children. Scientific evidence suggests that children are no more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than adults. For more information on caffeine, go to: http://ific.org/publications/qa/caffqa.cfm.

How much sugar is there in a soft drink?

The amount of sugar in any beverage varies from one brand to the next. However, there are approximately 45 grams of sugar in a regular carbonated soft drink. That is similar to the amount that is found in fruit juices. The beverage industry offers a wide range of regular and sugar-free soft drinks. For more information on sugar, go to: http://www.sugar.ca/faqGen.htm#food.    

How healthy will you be if you have one cola a day?

A cola a day will have no adverse impact on your health. Your state of health is primarily dependent on whether you are eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity. 

Are there any health risks or concerns related to aspartame?

According to Health Canada, daily consumption of up to 40 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram of body weight is perfectly safe. This means that a 132-pound woman could safely drink about 19 cans of diet soft drinks a day. For more information on aspartame, go to: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/food-aliment/cs-ipc/chha-edpcs/e_aspartame01.html.