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frojack writes:

As mentioned here on SoylentNews, there is mounting evidence that artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, causing metabolic changes that can be a precursor to diabetes, and the growing girth of the average American suggests the switch to artificial sweetener has failed to meet the diet promises made.

Soft drink giants Pepsi and Coca-Cola have been working for the last six years on finding another solution for a low- or no-calorie drink, and both have settled on Stevia, because it is claimed to be 100% natural (it comes from a plant) and has zero calories.

Apparently, the soda bottlers have noticed declining sales of these zero calorie drinks for the last 9 years, with a 7% drop last year alone. It seems quite probable that both have been ready with their formulas for some time. Since the problems with artificial sweeteners received wide press coverage, they have both decided to pounce.

According to CNBC.com Pepsi will release "Pepsi True", and Coke will release "Coca Cola Life " in the coming month and both have companies are combining Stevia with regular sugar for what they are calling an all naturally sweetened drink, with reduced calories.

Not being too sure of their new product, both are taking cautious marketing steps: Pepsi will initially sell only through Amazon.com, and Coke is only at Fresh Market stores in the US after trials in south America.

Unlike the zero calorie artificial sweeteners, the sugar/Stevia blend will still have around 60% of the calories of a regular soft drink. But it remains to be seen if consumers seeking natural and healthy products will find Pepsi True and Coca-Cola Life appealing. Reduced calorie soft drinks have not done well in the past, predominantly due to the after-taste of prior sweeteners.