Sodas

The soft-drink giant is one of the Olympics' biggest sponsors. But advocates argue pushing sugary beverages promotes obesity and diabetes worldwide, and is inconsistent with the values of the games.

How did the soda giant from America come to be seen as "local" in Africa? And what has the impact been on the continent for worse and for better?

"The damage of this kind of diet is even more visible because of the pandemic," says a Oaxaca legislator who spearheaded a law against the sale of junk food and soda to minors. The idea is spreading.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, in a joint statement, endorsed taxes on sugary drinks, restrictions on marketing to kids and incentives for healthier purchases.

It's the latest foray into more-healthful offerings for the food and beverage giant, which has shifted from soft drinks toward products such as juices, hummus and oatmeal.

Oaxacan restaurants are offering diners an alternative to the ubiquitous Coke by selling Zega-Cola, an artisanal soda made in small batches nearby. Its maker hopes that will translate into local jobs.

The 125-year-old soft drink giant hopes to tap into the Japanese market for Chu-Hui, a low-alcohol drink that has grown in popularity in recent years.

The beverage company hopes to entice young people and former soda drinkers with four new fruity versions of Diet Coke. The decline in sales reflects a shift toward bottled water and flavored seltzer.

The company is holding a contest to find a new and natural, low-calorie sweetener. The challenge comes at a time when many Americans are cutting back on sugar due to obesity and diabetes risks.

A new study has found an association between frequent drinking of diet sodas and an increased risk of both stroke and dementia.