現在位置 : 飲料 > 可樂(蘇打) 碳酸汽水 - 軟性飲料 (Cola, Soda, Soft Drinks)
軟性飲料 (Soft Drinks)
軟性飲料 (又名軟飲、清涼飲料、無醇飲料或非酒精飲料),酒精含量(體積比)低於0.5%的天然或人工調配的飲料。在歐美地區原本的定義是指由濃縮原料製成的碳酸或非碳酸飲料,但現在已是不含酒精之飲料的通稱。汽水可樂、檸檬水和水果潘趣酒等都是最常見的軟性飲料,至於熱巧克力、茶、咖啡等都不視為軟性飲料,但在日本,所有非酒精的飲料都稱軟性飲料,也包含上述三種飲料。 氣泡飲料 (Carbonated Water) 氣泡飲料(英文:Carbonated water,亦稱蘇打水,碳酸飲料)是利用不同程度的大氣壓力將二氧化碳注入飲料中。二氧化碳在一般氣壓下很快就會溶解,尤其在冷飲中,高壓和填充大量的氣體會讓二氧化碳溶解的更快。當壓力被釋放時,二氧化碳會釋出造成許多氣泡,也會將二氧化碳排至空氣中。大多數的二氧化碳在幾分鐘後都會消失,這時候飲料就消氣了。 碳酸飲料品嚐起來有刺激的氣泡感是由於碳酸化合物的化學現象,同時碳酸化合物也會帶來極輕微的灼熱感,並且碳酸只會和氣泡產生相互反應;兩種化學反應都是因為濃縮的碳酸造成。碳酸化的過程也可以在一個密封的容器中藉由"發酵"完成,這種作法常用在製造薑汁汽水,發酵過程需要仔細的關注和控制,並且使用適當的酵母菌種,其可將酒精的含量控制在非常低的數值。 |
健康風險與爭議
軟性飲料中的營養成份幾乎百分之百是精練過的蔗糖或高果糖糖漿。美國農業部建議一天的糖分攝取量以10湯匙為佳,以及2,000卡路里的飲食,但許多軟性飲料的糖分含量已經超過這個標準值。除了經過強化成份的飲料,其他的軟性飲料幾乎沒有任何維他命、礦物質、蛋白質等其他必需的營養素。此外許多品牌的軟性飲料都含有讓人質疑的食品添加物,例如食用色素、人工香料、乳化劑、以及防腐劑。也有些人認為含有咖啡因的軟性飲料不應作為日常飲食中的液體或水分來源,這是由於咖啡因本身有利尿的作用,不過這一點目前還有所爭論。 肥胖 由哈佛大學調查的一份研究指出,在美國過去15年來,軟性飲料使得孩童肥胖的人數增加了一倍。1991年到1995年間,美國青少年男生平均軟性飲料的攝取量從345毫升增加到570毫升,此時大多的軟性飲料都是以蔗糖或是玉米糖漿調味,而不是人工甘味料。美國波士頓兒童醫院的大衛·路維格醫生指出,每日至少喝8盎司(240毫升)軟性飲料的學齡兒童會比其他不喝的兒童多攝取835卡洛里,同時他們的飲食量也會比較多,這是因為這些飲料會使血液的胰島素增加,使人更有飢餓感。另外,軟性飲料通常會和高卡洛里的食物(如速食)一起搭配食用,此舉會增加更多卡洛里的攝取量。喝軟性飲料的兒童一般都比平常兒童胖,日後會有比較高的糖尿病罹患率。但這份調查具有爭議性,因為處在第三世界的孩童飲用大量的軟性飲料並沒有相同的肥胖問題,可能有其他影響肥胖的因素,如身體活動量的不同,以及美國的飲料通常以高果糖糖漿調味,而非蔗糖。 2006年3月醫學期刊《小兒科》(Pediatrics)刊出一篇研究論文,題目為〈甜分飲料攝取量的減低對青少年體重的影響:一個隨機抽樣、加以控制的小型研究〉,內容指出甜份飲料攝取量的減低可幫助過重的青少年減少身體質量指數;另外,每天飲用一罐330毫升的飲料會導致一個月1磅體重的上升。 第二型糖尿病 2004年一項長達八年對五萬名護士所做的調查指出,一天飲用一罐或超過一罐的甜份飲料的人會比未飲用者增加80%糖尿病患病的機會(此研究並不受其他日常生活因素干擾),高飲用量的女性會大量增加體重以及第二型糖尿病的患病機率。 蛀牙 多數軟性飲料含有大量的單純碳水化合物,如葡萄糖、果糖、蔗糖與其他單純糖分,口腔內細菌會使這些碳水化合物發酵,產生酸性物質,進而溶解牙齒琺瑯質,使蛀牙可能性增加,飲用越多,蛀牙風險越高。多數軟性飲料為酸性,某些甚至會低於pH值3.0,長期以啜飲的方式飲用會腐蝕牙齒的琺瑯質,牙醫因此建議使用吸管飲用,飲料可直接入喉,避免與牙齒接觸。同時,牙醫也建議飲用後馬上刷牙可避免琺瑯質的腐蝕。 骨質疏鬆 目前有一個假說認為某些含磷酸的軟性飲料(可樂)會取代人體骨骼內的鈣,使骨質密度降低,引起骨質疏鬆症。然而,研究鈣與骨骼的專家羅伯·希內(Robert Heaney)醫師在他領導的鈣代謝研究指出,碳酸軟性飲料(包含使用磷酸的可樂)對於鈣留失的關係是微小的,可樂之所以受到研究重視是因為他們的市場極大,但真正癥結在於常喝軟性飲料的人不太攝取高鈣含量的食物。 致癌物 苯(benzene)是一種致癌物質,許多軟性飲料公司都有1990年起飲料受到苯污染的相關文件。起初,學者認為汙染源來自二氧化碳,但相關研究卻發現苯酸鹽和抗壞血酸或異抗壞血酸(erythorbic acid)反應後會產生苯。2006年,英國食品標準局發表軟性飲料中苯含量的調查結果,他們測試150種產品後,發現有四種產品超過WHO訂定的飲用水苯含量的標準,食品標準局要求這些產品停止銷售。 美國食品藥品監督管理局(FDA)也發表許多軟性飲料的苯酸鹽和抗(異)壞血酸的含量,其中有五種飲料超過美國環境保護局所規範的苯含量(標準為5 ppb)。另外,環境保護團體也揭發了FDA的測試結果,結果指出:1995年至2001年,24種含苯的低卡蘇打水中,有19種(79%)超過5 ppb的標準,平均苯含量為19 ppb,接近標準的四倍之多;另外某一產品含有55 ppb的苯,是標準的11倍。儘管結果如此嚴重,2006年FDA仍告訴大眾:「至今軟性飲料的苯含量並不會帶給消費者安全的威脅。」 奎寧是一種帶有苦味的添加物,陽光直射會分解。分解後的產物被懷疑是一種致癌物質,成了不具苦味的奎寧,因此添有奎寧的飲料應避免置放在陽光下。 |
禁止
近年來,是否禁止學校的販賣機販售軟性飲料的議題越來越受到注目,反對販售者的反對原因有三:(一)他們認為軟性飲料是造成兒童肥胖和蛀牙的主因,在學校販賣軟性飲料會誤導學生,以為攝取這些飲料不會對健康有危害;(二)兒童不能了解飲食帶來的後果,應該要防止他們受到這些便宜且開罐即喝飲料的誘惑;(三)學校有責來監督兒童的健康,提供這些飲料則會違反這個準則。 反之,贊成販售者認為:(一)肥胖症的起因相當複雜,軟性飲料不是唯一因素;(二)軟性飲料能為學校帶來不少獲益。一些人則是採取中庸意見,表示軟性飲料可在學校販售,但不是唯一選擇,學校若販售的軟性飲料的話,應該也提供其他價錢優惠的選擇(如果汁或礦泉水或調味乳),然而果汁飲料可能添加跟軟性飲料等量的糖。 2006年5月3日,健康的一代聯盟(Alliance for a Healthier Generation)、Cadbury Schweppes、可口可樂、百事可樂和美國飲品協會宣布一個新的學校飲品方針,希望能將高卡洛里的軟性飲料趕出美國校園。 2006年5月19日,英國教育部長艾倫·強森宣布新的學校飲食的最低營養標準。 2006年9月起,英國學校午餐再也不會出現軟性飲料,福利社和販賣機也停止販售垃圾食物(含碳酸飲料)。 2006年8月,因為印度傳出軟性飲料含有殺蟲劑的成分,許多州政府下達禁止令,禁止在學校販售,喀拉拉邦更是禁止生產。為了生存,可口可樂和百事可樂公司大量廣告,表明這些飲料不會有任何安全疑慮。由於印度標準局尚未訂定明確標準,政府也不敢開放禁令,尚待觀察。 在台灣,校園裡也禁止販售軟性飲料,教育部曾頒訂「校園飲品及點心販售範圍」,規定飲品的糖產生的熱量須在10%以下,且飲品只能是純果(蔬菜)汁、鮮乳、保久乳、豆漿、優酪乳、包裝飲用水及礦泉水等七大類。 |
Soft Drinks
A soft drink (also called soda, pop, coke, soda pop, fizzy drink, tonic, seltzer, mineral, sparkling water or carbonated beverage) is a beverage that typically contains water (often, but not always carbonated water), usually a sweetener, and usually a flavoring agent. The sweetener may be sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juice, sugar substitutes (in the case of diet drinks) or a 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 if the drink is to be considered non-alcoholic. Widely sold soft drink flavors are cola, cherry, lemon-lime, root beer, orange, grape, vanilla, ginger ale, fruit punch, and sparkling lemonade. |
Soft Drink Production
Soft drinks are made by mixing dry ingredients and/or fresh ingredients (for example, lemons, oranges, etc.) with water. Production of soft drinks can be done at factories or at home. Soft drinks can be made at home by mixing either a syrup or dry ingredients with carbonated water. Carbonated water is made using a soda siphon or a home carbonation system or by dropping dry ice into water. Syrups are commercially sold by companies such as Soda- Club. Drinks like ginger ale and root beer are often brewed using yeast to cause carbonation. |
Just two fizzy drinks a day increases risk of heart disease... even if you're not putting on weight
(2011-11-14) Women who drink just two fizzy drinks a day are more likely to develop heart disease warn scientists. According to a study of over 4,000 women aged 45 to 84, those who regularly consume sugary soft drinks are more prone to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and expanding waistlines. However findings reveal that this pattern does not apply for men. Researchers from the University of Oklahoma compared middle-aged and older women who consumed two or more sugary fizzy drinks or flavoured waters a day to those who drank one or less. Over a five year period, distinct differences were seen between the two groups as their weight, waist circumference, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels - dangerous blood fats - were monitored. Women who drank more sweetened beverages were nearly four times as likely to develop high levels of harmful triglyceride blood fats, which can lead to blocked arteries and increase the risk of stroke. They also stood more chance of growing thick round the middle and their blood sugar was poorly controlled, raising the risk of diabetes. |
Health Impacts
The consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks has been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental caries, and low nutrient levels. Experimental studies tend to support a causal role for sugar-sweetened soft drinks in these ailments, though this is challenged by other researchers. "Sugar-sweetened" includes drinks that use high-fructose corn syrup, as well as those using sucrose. Many soft drinks contain ingredients that are themselves sources of concern: caffeine is linked to anxiety and sleep disruption when consumed in excess, and some critics question the health effects of added sugars and artificial sweeteners. Sodium benzoate has been investigated by researchers at University of Sheffield as a possible cause of DNA damage and hyperactivity. Other substances have negative health effects, but are present in such small quantities that they are unlikely to pose any substantial health risk provided that the beverages are consumed only in moderation. In 1998, the Center for Science in the Public Interest published a report titled Liquid Candy: How Soft Drinks are Harming Americans' Health. The report examined statistics relating to the increase in soft drink consumption and claimed that consumption is "likely contributing to health problems ." |
Obesity-Related Issues
From 1977 to 2002, Americans doubled their consumption of sweetened beverages — a trend that was paralleled by doubling the prevalence of obesity. The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight and obesity, and changes in consumption can help predict changes in weight. One study followed 548 schoolchildren over 19 months and found that changes in soft drink consumption were associated with changes in body mass index (BMI). Each soft drink that a child added to his or her daily consumption was accompanied by an increase in BMI of 0.24 kg/m2. Similarly, an 8-year study of 50,000 female nurses compared women who went from drinking almost no soft drinks to drinking more than one a day to women who went from drinking more than one soft drink a day to drinking almost no soft drinks. The women who increased their consumption of soft drinks gained 8.0 kg over the course of the study while the women who decreased their consumption gained only 2.8 kg. In these studies, the absolute number of soft drinks consumed per day was also positively associated with weight gain. Other research suggests that soft drinks could play a special role in weight gain. One four-week experiment compared a 450 calorie/day supplement of sugar-sweetened soft drinks to a 450 calorie/day supplement of jelly beans. The jelly bean supplement did not lead to weight gain, but the soft drink supplement did. The likely reason for the difference in weight gain is that people who consumed the jelly beans lowered their caloric intake at subsequent meals, while people who consumed soft drinks did not. Thus, the low levels of satiety provided by sugar-sweetened soft drinks may explain their association with obesity. That is, people who consume calories in sugar-sweetened beverages may fail to adequately reduce their intake of calories from other sources. Indeed, people consume more total calories in meals and on days when they are given sugar-sweetened beverages than when they are given artificially sweetened beverages or water. A study by Purdue University reported that no-calorie sweeteners were linked to an increase in body weight. The experiment compared rats who were fed saccharin-sweetened yogurt and glucose-sweetened yogurt. The saccharin group eventually consumed more calories, gained more weight and more body fat, and did not compensate later by cutting back. The consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks can also be associated with many weight-related diseases, including diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated blood pressure. |
Childhood Obesity Correlated with Soft Drinks?
Saskatoon, SK, Canada-- A Canadian study found little link between beverage drinking habits and cases of overweight and obesity in children. Using data from a national health survey, the researchers analyzed over 10,000 Canadian children aged 2–18. The children were grouped into five clusters, consisting of 2–5 year old males and females, and two groups each for ages 6–11 and 12–18 divided by sex. Beverage habits formed the basis for another set of clusters, which included divisions between those who drank mostly fruit drinks, soft drinks, 100% juice, milk, high-fat milk or varied beverages. Drink pattern data were originally collected based on 24-hour recall of beverages consumed the previous day. The researchers accounted for other factors contributing to weight, and then paired subject weights with their drink patterns for each of the age clusters. Wrote the study authors, “Although we saw no consistent relationship between sweetened beverage patterns of intake and overweight and obesity, boys aged 6–11 years who consumed mostly soft drinks may be at increased risk for overweight and obesity as compared with those who drank a more moderate beverage pattern, after adjusting for confounders.” --- Published in WholeFoods Magazine, August 2012. |