Assessing the antioxidant potential of soft beverages in the Turkish market: a comprehensive study

Soft beverages are an important part of fluid intake; however, it should be the main target to choose the right beverages according to healthy nutrition. This study aimed to determine, evaluate, and create a database of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) contents of widely consumed soft beverages in local markets in Turkey. A total of 394 beverages, including 60 carbonated, 100 non-carbonated, 136 tea (teabags for cups and teapots and, shredded tea leaves), 75 coffee (instant and brewed), and 23 fermented beverages, with expiration dates at most half their shelf life, were analyzed. Shredded tea leaves and brewed coffees were prepared with different brewing techniques. TAC was analyzed on the MINDRAY-BS400 device using commercial kit ABTS (2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and results are presented as mmol Trolox Equivalent(TE)/L. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26. The mean TAC of all beverages was 3.7 +/- 1.4 mmolTE/L (.120-5.535 mmolTE/L), with the highest content of tea and coffee (4.3 +/- .6 mmol TE/L) and the lowest carbonated beverages (1.4 +/- 1.5 mmolTE/L) (p < .05). The overall results showed that all soft beverages have antioxidant activity; however, the right choice of soft beverages might contribute to the dietary TAC and increase fluid intake.