COCA-COLA HAS been facing mounting criticisms that its drinks are unhealthy, either because they contain sugar or chemical sugar replacers.

Now comes Coca-Cola Life, which will available across Great Britain later this year, after being piloted in Argentina and Chile in 2013.

It has a third less sugar and 89 calories (50 fewer than ordinary Coca-Cola), said the company, and is “sweetened from natural sources”.

By this, it means that it contains “a blend of sugar and naturally-sourced stevia leaf extract”. Stevia is a plant native to South America, and it’s already used as a sweetener in Vitaminwater and Sprite.

Unfortunately, Vitaminwater fans weren’t all happy with the addition of stevia – some complained that the new formula tasted like cough syrup and chemicals.

Then there’s the PepsiCo CEO, Indra Nooyi, who claimed that Stevia “does not work well in colas”.

It remains to be seen what the European market will make of the drink – and whether Coca-Cola Life will have a taste that existing fans like.

When the news was first announced earlier this month, here’s what the headlines looked like:

The Guardian The Guardian

Wire Wire

Handbag.com Handbag.com

Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal

Would you try this new drink?

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