I’m essentially a socialist and believe in taxation and public health
However, what I despise about the Sugar Tax in the UK is that the drinks companies used it as an excuse to reformulate the vast majority of soft drinks, swapping sugar for Acuflame K and aspartame.
A small percentage of the population (but a significant number of people) taste these sweetners as bitter.
I am one of them. Basically all soda that’s been reformulated is undrinkable now to me. I’d describe the taste as a sort of soapy, chemical flavour that’s extremely bitter and artificial.
They even wrecked my national drink Irn Bru, which is basically the worst thing to happen to Scotland since Thatcher!
Only a handful of drinkable beverages remain. Coca-Cola refused to reformulate (likely a hangover from their 80s PR disaster), and you can get a few imported drinks at specialist stores at a premium price.
Unfortunately the majority of folk can’t taste the difference so we are where we are. I guarantee you, if everyone tasted this shit like we do the sales would plummet.
The loss of Irn Bru is a world tragedy, but also, kind of probably necessary sacrifice.
It’s actually still around in a weaker ‘original’ flavour that has all the sugar but is less fizzy and has no caffeine. It costs more and you don’t get the buzz, but it’s drinkable.
On the plus side you don’t have to worry about retirement if you regularly consume that garbage
It’s healthy
I see it does wonders for your brain too
Curect