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Gen Z hates diet sodas, but loves them with ‘Zero Sugar’ branding

At the Super Bowl next month, PepsiCo will feature Zero Sugar in its Pepsi commercial and revive the Pepsi Challenge this year, while Ram Krishnan said it's `gone all in` on Pepsi Zero Sugar.
An activist investor's pressure last year pushed PepsiCo to emphasize health-oriented core brands as long-term U.S. soda volume declined 27% over two decades, with younger, wellness-minded consumers shifting away from sugar.
Reformulated recipes and dozens of new flavors have reshaped soda lineups, with sweetener reformulations and dozens of new Zero Sugar flavors like Dr Pepper Blackberry Zero Sugar and Strawberries and Cream.
Zero Sugar now drives a large share of recent category growth, accounting for 52% of sales growth last year, while PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company sold more Zero Sugar sodas in the first nine months of 2025.
A viral TikTok and social trends are reshaping soda's cultural image and demand, as a viral TikTok last year called Diet Coke a `fridge cigarette` and the first Pepsi Challenge in 50 years skipped classic formulas.

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Gen Z hates diet sodas, but loves them with ‘Zero Sugar’ branding

By Kristina Peterson, Bloomberg News The first Pepsi Challenge tour in 50 years didn’t feature regular or even Diet Pepsi. Instead, the blind taste-test showdown last year pitted Pepsi Zero Sugar against Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. Related Articles The secret to perfect tortiglioni with peppers and eggplant from a 1929 Italian cookbook Gretchen’s table: Warm winter’s chill with a hot bowl of this tangy and traditional Me…

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