New Pepsi Raw May Be Natural, But It’s Not Healthy

February 14, 2008

Photo by Samhar Khuzam
pepsi-raw.jpgThe new Pepsi Raw is not healthy.  But then again, Pepsi doesn’t claim it to be.

Pepsi has launched their newest cola product … Pepsi Raw.  It is currently only available in the UK and is exclusive to bars and pubs.  What do they claim is so great about this product?  It is all natural, meaning no artificial colorings, preservatives, flavorings, or sweeteners.  It is made with cane sugar instead of fructose corn syrup.  It’s ingredients include apple extract, plain caramel coloring, gum arabic from acacia trees, and sparkling water.

But Pepsi is Pepsi.  That’s all there is to it.  It was never meant to be a healthy drink, and this product is no different.  While the word “natural” sounds healthy, that is not what natural means.  Yes, it is better, but it is not healthy.  Pepsi is not even marketing it as a health drink.  A spokeswoman for Pepsi was quoted as saying,

“We’re not saying it’s healthier.  It’s a premium drink for people who like natural products.”

But the words “natural” and “raw” are deceiving.  Most people read those words and think “healthy” or “organic.”  Natural only means it is made without artificial ingredients.  It doesn’t mean that healthy ingredients were used or that the ingredients (such as the apples) were grown without pesticides.   

So what do I think of the product, you ask.

Well, living in the U.S., I have not tried Pepsi Raw.  But I do like the fact that Pepsi has launched this product.  I am a firm believer that colas should be drank only on occasion as they lack anything of value and are loaded with calories.  The only healthy ingredient in Pepsi Raw is the apples, but the drawbacks from the sugar outweigh the benefits of the apples.  The calorie count in 300 ml of Pepsi Raw has only been reduced from 126 calories to 117.  Which will hardly assist in solving the obesity problem.  It is a safer choice, though, then regular Pepsi or Diet Pepsi and I would like to see it come to the U.S.  At least they are headed in the right direction.

Now, if they could only make it with stevia, ….

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Wellness 

Comments

4 Responses to “New Pepsi Raw May Be Natural, But It’s Not Healthy”

  1. Debo Hobo on February 14th, 2008 11:39 pm

    Fortunately I don’t drink soda of any kind, never have been a fan of it.

  2. Lazy Man and Health on February 15th, 2008 2:43 am

    I don’t know why they don’t try to make one with stevia. Maybe they have and people don’t like it. My wife is not a fan of stevia as a sugar substitute.

    I have to say that I don’t associate raw with “organic” or “healthy” - I simply associate it with “not cooked.” I could be weird, but I think I’m in the majority there. My friends would look at me strange if I said I had some “raw apple pie” even if it was organic.

  3. Julie on February 15th, 2008 3:09 am

    Lazy Man and Health,

    I agree with you on the “raw” issue. I don’t understand why they are even using that word as they don’t say that the drink is not cooked. I tend to think of raw milk, which isn’t allowed to be sold in grocery stores in the U.S. I do hope you are in the majority. However, I watched videos where taste testers were referring to Pepsi Raw as organic and healthy. A couple of health blogs I saw even called it a “healthy Pepsi.” I think it is another deceiving label.

    As far as stevia goes, the FDA has not approved it as a food ingredient. It is only allowed as a diet supplement. Since Pepsi does not call its drinks a supplement, they could be sued if they used stevia.

    I appreciate your thoughts!

  4. Julie on February 15th, 2008 3:13 am

    Debo Hobo,

    That is great! I used to be a big fan of soda, but I haven’t been drinking it for a few years now. When I do drink one, it doesn’t even taste good to me anymore.

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