Development of Novel Alkaline Water Technology as a substitute for added sugar in soft drink [NAWT]

Soft drinks includes a range of beverages such as carbonated and diluted fruit juices, ready to drink teas, smoothies, and energy drinks. The UK sector is worth £15.0 bn with volumes exceeding 14.2bn litres or 227 litres/capita. They are made with water, flavouring agents and sugars (raw sugar, granulated sugar, fructose, high fructose corn syrup). The Leatherhead Food Research Market Report confirms “that more people are inclined to seek out healthier and less sugary beverages as well as removing artificial additives and ingredients to achieve a more ‘natural’ positioning.” This project is totally concerned with reducing added sugar to soft drinks and has the potential to transform the sector. The recently commissioned government report “Sugar Reduction – The Evidence for Action” October 2015, confirms “we are eating too much sugar and it is bad for our health. Consuming too many foods and drinks high in sugar can lead to weight gain and related health problems, as well as tooth decay”. Wet Engineering has identified a novel way to significantly reduce the sugar content in soft drinks in the region of about 50%.