Hey, you! Ever heard of Coke Zero? No? Well, guess what? You have probably drunk Coke in your life before, maybe just last week or even just today. Who can resist that fizzy and sweet taste in your mouth and the aftertaste of being alert and awake? It is pretty much coffee but cooler.
However, concerned about your unhealthy diet, you try to become healthier, but you cannot imagine giving up Coke! It is just so much better than coffee. Well, lo and behold, here comes Coke Zero.
Your sugar-free alternative to Coke with no more of that guilty feeling. But does Coke Zero look too good to be true? How much of that sweet caffeine is actually in your drink?
Guide
Coke Zero started in 2005 as a healthier alternative to Coke for those who wanted fewer calories and sugar in their diet. It was first marketed toward the male audience as Diet Coke was branded as being “feminine” due to diet culture being largely feminine.
It debuted in a sleek black can as a “masculine” alternative and followed more after the recipe and taste of regular Coke, compared to the sweeter tasting and white can of Diet Coke.
It rebranded in 2017 as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar from the original Coca-Cola Zero in 2005 by the Coca-Cola Company. It was reformulated to taste similar to the standard Coca-Cola while also highlighting its lack of sugar.
In 2021, the company revamped Coke Zero once more to enhance its existing flavors and ingredients to taste even more similar to the original Coke but did not say nor mention which ingredients or flavors they changed.
Quick Fact: Coke Zero does not contain any sugars as it is replaced with other alternative artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and acesulphame potassium.
However, artificial sweeteners in sodas increase your likelihood of developing health problems such as osteoporosis, heart disease, kidney disease, and changes to gut bacteria that can result in unintentional weight gain.
Whether Coke Zero or the original Coke, it is still as sweet and addictive even though the former contains no sugars or calories. But what about the caffeine content? Surprisingly, Coke Zero contains less caffeine than a cup of coffee as it only has 34mg of caffeine for one 12-ounce can, while a cup of coffee has around 95mg.
Both Coke Zero and Coke contain the same amount of caffeine. All Coca-Cola products offer no nutritional value and exist solely to satisfy your tastebuds. Although it would not be reasonable to drink too much Coke Zero or Coke, you can safely drink around nine or ten cans a day and not exceed the daily recommended caffeine limit of 400mg.
However, if you are looking to be energized and alert for a day full of work ahead, it is better to go with a cup of coffee as it has more caffeine content and does not contain any sweetener if it is black.
Coke Zero was made to be a “healthier” alternative to the original Coke, promising zero sugar and calories, and it did. Both Coke Zero and Coke have the same amount of caffeine – 34mg for a 12-ounce can.
However, it is important to remember that although Coke Zero may have no calories, sugar, and less caffeine, it does not mean it is beneficial for you. The artificial sweeteners used in the drink have been linked to diseases like depression, seizures, cancer, lupus, obesity, and Alzheimer’s disease.
According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, the artificial sweeteners in soft drinks, including Coke Zero, increases your appetite for sweetness and cause weight gain due to altering your gut bacteria despite having no calories or sugar.
It is also designed to be addictive, which can cause you to overconsume and reach beyond the daily caffeine limit, resulting in irritability, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping.
Conclusion
Coke Zero is not a dangerous drink as long as you remember that moderation is key. All of the ingredients in Coke Zero are not hazardous, but neither are they good for us. Coke Zero will certainly won’t murder us in our sleep obviously.
But you should still drink responsibly to avoid all the serious health problems that come with drinking too much. The question is, “Is Coke Zero detrimental to your health?” Yes, if you drink too much, but also a big NO if you drink in moderation.
So, enjoy a cold can every once in a while with a smile, so long as you are not spending the whole day chugging it.
