These days we're supposed to drink more water and drink less soda. In fact, the bottle water industry is a bajillion dollar business and growing. Evidently the soda industry is worried about water encroaching on their business, and have decided to market their products a little bit differently. Steven Levitt of Freakonomics recently mentioned a new Diet Coke print ad that shows a picture of a Diet Coke can and the words "99 Percent Water."
The implication is that if Diet Coke and water are almost the same thing, but Diet Coke tastes better, you might as well drink Diet Coke. Which is a pretty sensible point of view, as long as the 1% that is not water isn’t hurting you.
It's interesting to note that this ad follows on the heels of one that shows a Diet Coke can and the words "Sparkling or Sparkling?" Do you think it's healthy to suggest that Diet Coke replace your water intake? Personally I know I'd rather have the water. I mean, 99% water isn't bad, but what exactly is in that other 1%?
Source: Freakonomics
Image Source
Satellite
Comme des Garcons
Alexander Wang
I suppose the 1% is just a bunch of concentrated chemicals, but nobody wants to advertise that.
1I think it's obvious that it isn't healthy to drink Diet Coke instead of water, but I'm not too impressed by the bottle-water industry either.
2It's not the best thing to be telling the general public or selling, but it's also up to people to think about the other 1%. I know a lot of people that simply wouldn't care...
3I find it hard to believe that it is 99% myself. This isn't good to tell me though as I am currently straying from my diet coke addiction, and it ain't easy!!!!
4If it's 99% water, then why not just go to the tap and have water? It's way cheaper.
5yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss! i always believed in you jesus. i've been 'addicted' to diet coke since forever.
6Well I have talked to dietitians that say that any liquid is a liquid in terms of your daily fluid intake. So as long as you're keeping the calories/fat in check with your liquids, it's pretty much the same as drinking water. Ultimately, water is better, but diet coke or orange juice or gatorade is still liquid and will still hydrate your body.
7I just read the full NY Times blog and someone there pointed out that untreated residential sewage is also 99% water.
There is a lot that 1% could be that is really not good for you...
8popgoestheworld, eewwwwwww good point
9I hate diet coke, it's so sugary.
10I don't think the soda industry should be too concerned about water encroaching on their business since both Pepsi and Coke own the best-selling bottled waters out there (Aquafina & Dasani, respectively).
11HORRIBLE marketing idea. Yes America, drinking chemical-laden, sodium-giving (hello bloat) diet cola is kinda the same as water! That's horrific nutritional advice...I'm ashamed of them for doing that. Talk about corporate responsibility.
12THANK. YOU.
13in terms of marketing - its pretty brilliant. people believe anything advertised as healthy or that will allow them to justify their habits.
14I agree with tdamji, it's an amazing marketing tool. If you're stupid enough to believe that you can drink diet coke for the rest of your life without ever having to drink water again, you deserve the long term health effects
15They're just reaching to increase sales!! They must be taking a beating from bottled water sales....I'll tell you what though...that one percent keeps you from brewing tea with a kettle of boiling coke!! Or a pot of auto drip made with coke....hey what about boiling some pasta in a pot of coke!!!!! Just like water??? I think not!
16no, this is a good marketing tool in the same way that hitler was an effective leader... yes it works, it's just really bad.
17(not trying to be offensive just making an exaggeration to make my point.)
really?!
18hmm, just when I was going off diet coke!
19superfoxml - I understand exaggeration, but I was gobsmacked to see you compare Diet Coke to Hitler. Maybe you weren't trying to be offensive, but you certainly were. Diet Coke rocks, water also is great. Anyone who would see this ad and think Diet Coke is as good for you as water is just stupid. If you want water, drink water. If you want a Diet Coke, have one!
20I love my diet Coke. Now I have another reason to tell myself it's OK.
21I Loooooover my diet coke BUT if i am parched the thought of a DC is gross- either way i have about 6 dcs a day (gross i know)
22I'm glad I've never been a huge soda fan.
23pirick i am sorry that on the internet, tone can be misconstrued. It was not ever meant to be offensive. I do apologize but stick by my point that this is not a healthy message to send America.
24blech, to coke. too bad the bottled water industry is mostly owned by the soda people. dasani, aquafina, vitamin water, smart water.... the list goes on.
25Yes! I knew it couldn't be THAT bad for me ... thank goodness! As far as the other 1%, I don't know what it is, but it's very addictive.
26I've never understood the attraction of diet pop. It tastes like the floor, and is bad for you. Water tastes great and is good for you.
27The ingredients in Diet Coke are listed in order of greatest to least amount:
* Carbonated Water
* Caramel Color
* Aspartame
* Phosphoric Acid
* Potassium Benzoate (to protect taste)
* Natural Flavors
* Citric Acid
* Caffeine
Yeah...even if it's 1%...phosphoric acid is used to clean off rust from metal :/
28this is interesting but soda contains sodium. does water? i know sodium isn't that great for you in you have too much.
29Exactly! It's the 1% that will getcha!!
30Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.