Why do sugar free drinks have more fizz than drinks full of sugar?
All carbonated beverages contain carbon dioxide that, at certain temperatures, converts from a gas to a liquid. Carbon dioxide is a gas that gives all soft drinks their fizz. A sugar-free carbonated beverage contains the same amount of this ingredient, but can seem to have more fizz than its counterpart.MythSugar-free drinks do not have any more carbonation or fizz than regular, full-sugar beverages, according to Ray von Wandruszka, a chemistry professor at the University of Idaho. Von Wandruszka says it all has to do with the sweetener.Artificial SweetenersArtificial sweeteners, such as Aspartame, give water, or other liquids, a lower surface tension than sugar, von Wandruszka says. This means the surface can be broken through by an air bubble, or carbon dioxide, more easily. This allows the carbon dioxide to come through the surface more quickly, making the sugar-free beverage seem like it has more carbonation.ContainersThe type of container a beverage is in also makes a difference.
