Cilantro Cool, the healthy soft drink created by Mexican students

On hot days, drinking soda and other sugary drinks is the first choice for many Mexicans. According to the organization El Poder del Consumidor, a person consumes approximately 163 liters of water per year, which contributes to the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

In their quest to control these levels, students from the Biotechnology Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Biotechnology program at the University of the Valley of Mexico (UVM) , Veracruz Campus, have created a healthy alternative. Find out what it's all about on the Menu.

What is "Cilantro Cool," the healthy soft drink, made of?

According to a press release published by UVM, this drink was created by six students, who decided to call it "Cilantro Cool." It was conceived as a healthier option within the competitive world of soft drinks.

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The project was born as part of a student event focused on promoting initiatives with social, environmental, and health impact. Thus, what began as an academic activity quickly became a widely distributed product.

According to the statement, the inspiration behind this drink came from a traditional recipe from the municipality of Omealca, where two members of the team come from.

In this community, it is common to drink water with cilantro to cool off on hot days. Based on that idea, the university students created a carbonated drink, mixing it with citrus fruits like lemon and orange.

Thanks to the engineering and biotechnology expertise of Neferthary Edith Gallegos Palacios, Valeria Hernández Ramos, Edwin Nataniel Sosa Almendra, Arath Manuel Cacho Alvarado, Ares Aryok Antonio Hernández, and José Manuel García Contreras, it was possible to develop a formula without added sugar or preservatives, making it a healthy and natural alternative.

How healthy is this cilantro soda?

During the student event, Valeria Hernández, one of the students behind the project, noted that cilantro "has a very fresh and slightly citric flavor profile, which pairs well with other acidic flavors." She also explained that this soft drink uses fruit peel infusions, which also makes its production sustainable.

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Although it contains stevia as a natural sweetener, its calorie levels are not affected because they are already low. Other nutrients it provides are vitamins K and C, from the cilantro and citrus mix.

At the same time, the students pointed out that the production process is artisanal, taking 2 to 4 hours to generate 2 to 4 liters per batch. And, if sold, a 100 ml bottle could cost approximately $25.

This project is currently in the early stages of the business incubator that UVM has witnessed. And although competing with the major soft drink companies is a challenge, the creators' long-term vision is optimistic.

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