• Question: And is coke still bad for you if it is coke zero?

    Asked by HugoBOSS to Amy, Craig, Laura, Partha, Saffron on 23 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Craig Doig

      Craig Doig answered on 23 Jun 2015:

      Hi HugoBOSS

      The people at Coke a Cola would like you to think its better for you. However, I’m struggling to find any evidence that says it is better for you. Its better to reduce the amount of fizzy drinks of any sort you have and replace them with something less harmful (water).

    • Photo: Laura Wales

      Laura Wales answered on 23 Jun 2015:

      Ingredients of Coke Zero:
      Carbonated water, caramel colour, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzonate, natural flavours, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, caffeine.

      When you read the ingredients and consider the small amounts that are allowed to be in anything we consume, it seems fine. It’s when you consider each ingredient on their own and think about what they do, it seems a little more worrying.

      Most of the ingredients don’t sound that bad although the various possium-based ingredients could cause a problem in someone with an imbalance of potassium in their body and if they drank large volumes of the stuff.

      However, some of the ingredients that don’t sound so good are phosphoric acid, aspartame and sodium benzonate….

      Phosphoric acid – NOT fine! It’s a corrosive acid that’s used in fertilizers, livestock feed, soaps, polishes, dyes, polishing metals and in many other non-food products. It’s added to soft drinks to provide a sharper, tangy taste and to help slow the growth of molds and bacteria in sugary formulas. Do you really want something that acidic in your body? Some research has shown that coke has led to problems with bones, teeth and kidneys.

      Aspartame – In my view, definitely NOT good!!! This is the artificial sweetener added to drinks that are called “diet”, “zero” or “sugar free”. In small amounts, it is broken down easily in the body but causes problems if someone has something called, “phenylketonuria”. Research is varied and controversial – some studies insist aspartame is fine in small amounts, other studies have suggested it’s linked to various medical conditions and diseases. In my view, if something has been banned for human consumption before and there is question over health risk, stay clear!

      Potassium benzonate – This acts as a preservative to prevent growth of bacteria, yeast and mould, which I guess it good, right? It is made from potassium and benzoate salt. Potassium is needed for normal function of cells, tissues and organs. Benzoate, however, can react with certain substances, potentially making them unsafe. For example, when it’s exposed to heat and light in the presence of vitamin C, it can be converted into benzene which is considered bad.

      Everything in moderation. I still think “full”fat” coke is better than any diet drink.

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