title: Sensory attributes of soft drinks and their influence on consumers' preferences.
abstract: Soft drinks are beverages composed of water and other ingredients that provide specific sensorial attributes. Soft drink consumption patterns have recently been changed partially influenced by an increased availability of different types of beverages during the last few years. Consumers' preferences to choose one drink over another are influenced, not only by genetic, psychological and environmental factors, but also by the beverage's specific attributes. In fact, beverage consumption is driven by the sensations it gives. Because the main component of soft drinks is water, an increase in the intake of soft drinks might improve fluid intake and the levels of water in the body if it is regarded as an "essential nutrient".
authors.affiliation: Immunonutrition Research Group, Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science and Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Jose Antonio Novais Street, 10, 28040, Madrid, Spain. amarcos@ictan.csic.es.
authors.forename: Noemí
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Redondo
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gómez-Martínez
authors.forename: Ascensión
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcos
mesh_terms: D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000032:analysis*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D002149:Energy Intake; D004777:Environment; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D013649:Taste