Is Coke Zero Bad For You?
Short answer:
Most evidence points to "No" as the answer to that question, and it's also no secret that Coke zero does have its major benefits.
Long Answer:
Coke zero is for all intensive purposes supposed to be a healthier alternative to regular cokes. The target market that Coca-Cola had in mind was that of men from teenage years to early fifties. This is because it is within this age bracket that men are most conscious about their appearance and coke zero is perfect for men trying to lose weight or just keep fit. But is coke zero really good for you?
Coke Zero is made from carbonated water, caramel coloring agent, phosphoric acid, aspartame, acesufame-K, flavorings, phenylanine, sodium benzoate and caffeine. These are similar to the ingredients in diet cokes with the exception of the natural acids where the diet has citric and the zero has phosphoric as well as amount of caffeine. This is a good thing for coke zero because citric acid mixed with benzoic acid has been proven to cause DNA damage and increase cancer risk.
Coke zero has a whole lot more caffeine than both regular and diet cokes. This gives the drinker a higher energy and alertness boost but has worse sleep deprivation effects.
Aspartame and acesufame-K are the artificial sweeteners used in place of sugar. They have lower calorie content and help with weight loss. They do however act like sugars by affecting the body’s osmotic balance and causing chronic thirst and dehydration. However, the aspartame has not been proven to cause cancer. In fact, the ingredient has been approved by various organisations and regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, American Heart Association and the American Dietetic Association.
Sodium benzoate when consumed over long periods of time can cause corrosion on the walls of digestive tract. These leads to development of ulcers related complications.
Short term side effects of Coke Zero
- Insomnia and irregular sleep patterns
- Dehydration and fatigue
Long term side effects of Coke Zero
- Caffeine dependence.
- Stomach ulcers due to sodium benzoate exposure.
- Artificial sweeteners have a weight gain effect after some time.
- Increased cancer risk.
Benefits of Coke Zero
Coke Zero is one of Coca-Cola’s best-selling products. This would not be the case if it was all negatives. Some of the pros of Coke zero include:
- It has fewer calories than regular coke and helps in weight loss plans when used as an alternative.
- It is a tasty and refreshing drink and a great option for the occasional treat.
- Caffeine increases alertness levels.
- It is sugar free and thus safe for consumption by diabetics.
Healthier alternatives
If you are looking for a drink that not only quenches your thirst but also helps you lose weight, consider taking:
- Water
- Low-fat milk
- Natural yoghurt
- Herbal tea
- Fresh fruit juices
