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WHICH IS BETTER COKE OR DIET COKE?

The obvious answer is neither. We all know filtered water, tea maybe even juice is better. But I’m sure that’s not what you want to hear. That answer is not good enough. Put differently what you want to know is which is the lesser of the 2 evils. So which one is it? A drink loaded with sugars or chemicals in a diet drink? Let’s help you make a more informed decision before you pick your poison, as we shall soon find out the answer is not as clear-cut.

Okay let’s start with the basics, what in both drinks?

Ingredients list for regular coke:

Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Colour, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavours, Caffeine. One serving has 100 calories, 26 grams of sugar, that’s about 6 TEASPOONS

Ingredients list for Diet coke:

Carbonated Water, Caramel Colour, Aspartame, Phosphoric Acid, Potassium Benzoate (to Protect Taste), Natural Flavours, Citric Acid, Caffeine. One serving has no calories.

From the above comparison we can see the primary difference is basically sugar vs artificially sweeteners (chemicals). Let’s talk pros and cons.

Pros and cons of regular coke:

The main advantage to drinking regular coke is probably going to be the taste in terms of not leaving you with that strange aftertaste. Of course, it’s the preferred choice for those avoiding drinking artificial sugar substitutes. The down side is that regular coke contains a lot of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup which is high in calories. Therefore, drinking too many cokes may put you at risk of weight gain due to the excess calories adding up. Excess weight may increase your chances of developing diabetes and cancer. Let’s not forget the link between regular sugary drinks and tooth decay, so make sure you’re brushing your teeth after drinking liquid candy.

Pros and cons of diet coke:

One advantage to diet coke is that it doesn’t leave residue that makes your teeth feel furry. However, diet coke may not contain sugar, but it does have acid, which over time can strip the enamel of your teeth. The most obvious advantage for drinking diet coke is that doesn’t cause tooth decay and it has no calories. However, this does not mean you are immune to pilling on the pounds if you drink it in excess. Researchers are still not clear about the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners. Aspartame has been linked to various cancers and neurological problems. Emerging research also suggests a link between increased diet soda intake and metabolic syndrome, kidney problems and weaker bones.

Both regular and diet contain phosphoric acid, which may contribute to leaching of calcium from bones and osteoporosis. So really, they are both just as bad as each other. However, if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic the drink diet or regular, if you must. If the idea that researchers are still uncertain about the safety of artificial sugar substitutes makes you uncomfortable, drink regular, if you must. If you’re pregnant, then regular is probably better.

So there you have it folks. I can not stress enough though, do try opting for water, purified that is. Failing that, I hope this was helpful to picking your choice of poison.



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