Skip to main content

The Differences Between Diet Coke and Coke No Sugar



It seems like Coke Zero, which was rebranded as Coke Zero Sugar in 2017, offers the best of both worlds. It doesn't have the same amount of sugar, carbohydrates, or calories as regular Coke, and according to the manufacturer, it also tastes more like the original than Diet Coke, the company's first diet soda alternative.


However, the saying "If it appears too good to be true, it generally is" has a basis. Coke Zero Sugar may taste delicious, like other diet drinks, but some of its contents have the potential to cause issues like weight gain, bacterial imbalances in the stomach, and decreased bone mineral density. But it goes further than that. It lacks ingredients that promote health in addition to having unhealthy components.


What Is Coke Zero?


A calorie-free soda alternative called Coke Zero Sugar is also devoid of sugar, carbs, and other nutrients, with the exception of 40 milligrammes of salt and two percent of your daily potassium needs (a negligible amount that comes from potassium benzoate and potassium citrate, a preservative and buffering agent, respectively).

There are nine ingredients in Coke Zero Sugar:

Carbonated water
Caramel color
Phosphoric acid
Aspartame
Potassium benzoate
Natural flavours
Potassium citrate
Acesulfame potassium
Caffeine

The contents in Coke Zero Sugar are given in descending volume order, just like all ingredient lists. In other words, caffeine contributes the least to the drink while carbonated water makes up the most. At least three of these nine components have been linked to harmful health impacts like weight gain and kidney issues.

Health Risks of Artificial Sweeteners


Aspartame and acesulfame potassium, sometimes known as acesulfame K, are two artificial sweeteners that are used in Coke Zero Sugar. These sweeteners are generally recognised as safe (GRAS) and have been given approval by the Food and Drug Administration, however one might not find them to be as appealing as one might expect as sugar substitutes.

Aspartame can damage cell membranes, produce oxidative stress, upset the body's antioxidant balance, and cause widespread chronic inflammation, according to a review article that appeared in Nutrition Reviews in 2017.

The Science Around Artificial Sweeteners


Aspartame consumption is associated with weight gain and obesity, metabolic syndrome, imbalances in beneficial gut bacteria, and potential damage to kidney tissue, according to a 2017 study that was published in the Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases. However, more research is needed to draw firm conclusions about these associations. Aspartame is present in Diet Coke and other diet sodas in addition to Coke Zero.

In 2017, scientists specifically examined acesulfame potassium and reported their findings in the journal PLoS One. The main takeaways were that frequent use of the artificial sweetener can result in weight gain, an imbalance in good gut bacteria, genotoxicity, or harmful cell alterations that may result in cancer (although no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding this,

Phenylalanine in Coke Zero


Phenylalanine is an amino acid that is also present in aspartame. Phenylketonuria, or PKU, is a hazardous condition that affects people who can't metabolise phenylalanine without suffering any harmful health repercussions.

Normally, phenylalanine is converted by the body into the amino acid tyrosine. Phenylalanine builds up in the bodies of those with phenylketonuria because they are unable to break it down. The brain and nervous system may be harmed if levels rise too high, which could result in brain damage, seizures, and learning impairments.

People who take certain drugs, such as MAOIs and anti-psychotics, as well as individuals who have the muscle disease tardive dyskinesia, may experience unfavourable health effects from phenylalanine. Phenylalanine can exacerbate anxiety and jitteriness, thus anyone with anxiety, sleep difficulties, or any mental health issue should take particular caution while eating it.

Health Risks of Phosphoric Acid


An inorganic mineral acid called phosphoric acid is a preservative found in processed foods and beverages like soda. The drink gains part of its distinctive tartness while also having its shelf life extended.

A review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in September 2014 found a link between phosphoric acid-containing sodas and a loss of bone mineral density in women's hips, despite the fact that data on the health consequences of phosphoric acid is few.

Another study found that consuming phosphoric acid-containing sodas may increase the quantity of acid in the blood, which also raises the risk of kidney disease. This study was published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology in January 2017.

What About Caramel Color?


The distinctive caramel-brown hue of Coke Zero Sugar is not free either. The ammonium molecules used to create this synthetic caramel hue decompose into a chemical known as 4-methylimidazole, or 4-MEI.

Regular exposure to 4-MEI is one of the risks of Diet Coke and can raise the risk of various types of cancer, claims a study that was published in PLoS One in 2015. California declared 4-MEI a carcinogen under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, also known as Proposition 65, or Prop 65, in response to studies linking caramel colour to cancer.

The paper also mentions that Coca-Cola and other soda producers decided to restructure their caramel colorings so they no longer include 4-MEI. Coca-Cola adds on its website that although it did lower the levels of 4-MEI in their products, they still contain trace amounts of the chemical.

Coke Zero vs. Regular Coke


So, should you choose ordinary Coke or Coke Zero Sugar? The best response is neither. The problem extends beyond Diet Coke's and other diet beverages' detrimental effects on health. High-fructose corn syrup, which has its own set of issues, is present in regular Coke even though it doesn't contain any artificial sweeteners. Associating high-fructose corn syrup with:

Obesity
Metabolic syndrome
Diabetes
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

According to a review that was published in Obesity in 2019, the high-fructose corn syrup and the different ways that the liver metabolises fructose may be to blame for these unfavourable effects on ordinary Coke's health. If you're unsure which beverage to pick, water is always the finest option.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

How to Lose Fat Without Losing Muscle

The fact that you should be burning more calories than you are consuming is one of the most basic principles of fat loss. This obvious fact has been reduced to a mathematical equation throughout the years, which has given rise to a wide variety of diets and apps that track your intake and expenditure of calories. The truth is that some people developed such a strong obsession with the calorie-spotting game that they are able to recite practically any food's calorie count off-hand. But when it comes to actual use, this straightforward equation frequently appears to be flawed and lacking. It seems to be lacking a crucial component that distinguishes between a seesaw diet and permanently decreasing weight. COUNT YOUR CALORIES Less fat means fewer calories. It's tough to dispute with this equation's logic because it's so clear-cut and sophisticated.  You will eventually lose weight if you consistently burn more calories than you take in. Numerous studies and personal experi...
Post a Comment
Read more

10 Foods You Should Eat To Gain Weight

 There are a lot of diet regimens for losing weight available online. But there isn't much to be found for weight gain! In fact, you won't find many plans for gaining weight. However, a sizeable portion of people struggle with their bony fame and fall short of gaining the required heft. Being underweight or thin could indicate a deeper problem. You become underweight when you consume too few calories over an extended period of time, which can cause a variety of ailments. On the other hand, consuming too many calories might lead to weight gain, which is equally unfavourable. The math for weight gain is very straightforward since you consume more calories than you burn. You need to eat more calories to satisfy your body's needs if your metabolism is high or you exercise vigorously. Gaining weight cannot be accomplished merely by overeating. But among the strategies to gain weight naturally are eating five to six times each day, consuming more protein and fat, and including hi...
1 comment
Read more

Best Ways to Build Bigger Traps

  Are you eager to build a powerful, muscular neck that commands attention? If so, it's essential to understand that the most impressive traps—the ones that exude raw strength—are primarily built with barbell shrugs. While it's important to incorporate a variety of exercises for optimal muscle development, barbell shrugs should be the cornerstone of your trap workouts. A notable advocate of this approach is Arnold Schwarzenegger, who emphasized the importance of shrugs in back or shoulder routines in one of his recent articles, advising serious bodybuilders to make them a regular part of their training. Contrary to what many might think, developing your traps isn't as complicated as it seems. The key is to keep it simple and avoid getting lost in complex routines. Ultimately, the path to outstanding traps is paved with countless heavy shrugs. Keep reading to learn the proper way to maximize the effectiveness of shrugs and finally achieve the trap growth you desire! SHRUGS 1...
1 comment
Read more