Is pop losing its popularity?

By Sarah Abbott
South Charleston High School

Increasingly, teenagers can be seen straying from vending machines by the likes of Coca-Cola and Pepsi and bringing their own drinks to school instead. Is this just a passing fad, or is pop becoming passé?

South Charleston sophomore Kathlyn Legg, for one, is sticking with soda. “I drink pop,” she said with a shrug. “Energy drinks smell bad, and I don’t eat or drink anything that stinks.”

It isn’t just energy drinks and pop at war, of course. Some kids are turning to healthier, old-fashioned beverages instead of Coke.

Taylor Bailey, a junior at SCHS, said, “I drink water because I know what’s in it. Plus, energy drinks are really expensive and I don’t want to pay that much.”

So is pop sinking in popularity? It’s hard to tell what the answer is in part because it’s hard to tell where the line between soda and other beverages is drawn. For instance, one of the newer beverage sensations is Vault from Coke. Its tagline summarizes the attraction: “Drinks like a soda, kicks like an energy drink.”

It used to be that when you walked around the mall or school, you’d see a bunch of Cokes, Dr. Peppers and a scattered Sierra Mist or two in the crowd. Now, the classics are mixed unevenly with either “healthier” or more energizing beverages.

One of these “healthy” drinks is Diet Lipton Green Tea, which is rapidly gaining popularity. It has a clear, refreshing taste that is different from soda, but it still has some caffeine in it.

A common misconception about green tea, though, is that it is much healthier than pop. This isn’t entirely true. According to BevNet.com, “You’re not likely to see any health benefits from drinking green tea unless it’s part of an overall healthy lifestyle that includes smart diet choices, reduced stress and enough exercise to help keep you fit.”

Still, the tea tastes good and comes in a variety of flavors from citrus to mixed berry.

Red Bull is another pop alternative that’s very popular. But Red Bull, unlike green tea, has become famous not for its health, but for its health risks, along with the amount of pure energy it gives you. The small, overpriced cans can be seen everywhere at school — in trash cans, hands, lockers and lunch boxes.

Our nation thrives on change, and the slight decline of pop is only one of many such changes in recent years. Look around your classroom, the lunchroom or in the hallways. You might be surprised at the variety of drinks you see.