The sweetener stevia gets a mainstream boost with the launch of Coke Life

The Coca-Cola Company is market testing Coke Life in Argentina, a new formula that uses stevia instead corn syrup. Stevia is a natural sweetener from the herbs and shrubs in the sunflower family, native to subtropical and tropical regions of South America that is well-known to Argentinians. Coke Life has half the calories of regular Coke and is sold in better-for-the-earth plant-based packaging that implies: "good for you and good for the planet." Is this a harbinger for changing fizzy-drinking habits? Clearly the Coca-Cola company is responding to social trends that are demonizing sugar drinks and embracing greener packaging.