Course:FNH200/Assignments/2023/CocaCola vs. DietCoke

Coke vs. Diet Coke: A Comparison

Coca-Cola was first introduced in Atlanta, Georgia by pharmacist Dr. John Stith Pemberton. The drink was created as a tonic for common ailments originally containing cocaine, which inspired the beverage’s name. The drink made its debut on May 8, 1886, combining its alluring extract with carbonated water to create a delightful summer drink. Today, the beverage is enjoyed across various countries and has become a world leader in the soft drinks industry. Coca-Cola has become an internationally recognizable beverage with a variety of flavors to cater to a wide range of preferences and occasions.

Diet Coke was first introduced in 1982, which was a low-calorie, sugar-free alternative to their original recipe. The Coca-Cola Company wanted to create a healthier alternative so that more of the world could enjoy their delicious recipe, without the added risks of the traditional recipe. Diet Coke also comes in a variety of flavors such as strawberry, blueberry, cherry, mango, and blood orange.

Explored on this page will be the beverage ingredients, substitutes, additives, labels, and a comparison between the two.

Pictures

Regular Coke

Regular Coke Nutrition and Can	Regular Coke Ingredients

Diet Coke

Diet Coke Nutrition and Can	Diet Coke Ingredients

Ingredient lists

Ingredients

Regular Coke	Diet Coke
Carbonated Water	Carbonated Water
Carmel Color	Carmel Color
Caffeine	Caffeine
Natural Flavours	Natural Flavours
Phosphoric Acid	Phosphoric Acid
SucroseGlucose-Fructose	Citric Acid
Sucrose	Aspartame
	Sodium Benzoate

Fat Substitutes, Sugar Substitutes, and/or Additives Used

	Regular Coke	Diet Coke
Sugar Substitutes	None	Aspartame Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)
Fat Substitutes	None	None
Additives	Caramel Colour Phosphoric acid Natural Flavours Caffeine Sucrose/glucose-fructose	Caramel Color Phosphoric Acid Sodium Benzoate Natural Flavors. Citric Acid Caffeine

Role of Substitutes and Additives

Sugar Substitutes:

Aspartame is a low-calorie sweetener used in Diet Coke. Is metabolized as a protein, thus contributing 4 calories per gram. It is 180-220 times sweeter than sucrose and does not increase blood glucose or insulin levels, making it a good substitute for those who do not want to spike their blood sugar.

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) is a non-caloric sweetener in Diet Coke that is added with other sweeteners to provide a synergistic sweetening effect. It is 200 times sweeter than sucrose but is not metabolized in the body, thus contributing 0 calories per gram. Ace-K is not fermented by the bacteria in the mouth so it does not contribute to cavity development.

Additives:

Caramel Color is used to give both products their classic color. The coloring is made by heating sugar to a high temperature until brown pigments are formed. The coloring can range from pale yellow to dark brown, as seen in cola products.

Phosphoric Acid is used as a preservative in both products, and to acidify foods and beverages. In soft drinks, phosphoric acid has the potential to cause dental erosion, which is the loss of enamel from the surface of teeth.

Sodium Benzoate acts as a preservative in Diet Coke and assists with protecting taste. It is produced by neutralizing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with benzoic acid. Sodium-benzoate prevents the growth of bacteria and mold, making it a good additive for foods with high water content.

Natural Flavors are a combination of flavoring agents to give both products their particular taste. The flavoring agents are extracted or distilled from natural sources such as plants or animals. The primary role of natural flavors in food is to add flavor, not to add any nutritional value to the food or beverage

Citric Acid is a weak organic acid that naturally occurs in citrus fruits. It is found in Diet Coke and Its role in food is to add sour flavoring, act as a preservative, and be used as an emulsifying agent. It is also sometimes added to canned foods to protect against botulism.

Caffeine is a stimulant that is found in seeds, nuts, leaves, or fruit of specific plants from Africa, East Asia, or South America. It has been proven to benefit cognitive and physical performance, but results range from person to person. It is found in both products.

Sucrose/glucose-fructose is a sweetener derived from corn starch. Typically used in processed foods and drinks such as Regular Coke. It is more economical than cane sugar, contributes to the particular sweetness of Coke, and enhances the overall flavors.

Comparison

Similarities: Both Regular Coke and Diet Coke maintain the same core ingredients; carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, caffeine, and natural flavors. Both beverages have zero grams of protein and fat, are similar colors, and have the same consistency.

Differences: Regular Coke uses sugar/glucose-fructose as a sweetener, whereas Diet Coke uses aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) to sweeten the beverage. The sugar substitutes in the low-calorie version reduce the amount of calories and sugar content in Diet Coke, allowing it to be 0 calories and 0 grams of sugar per can. Regular Coke has an energy value of 140 calories per can, with all of the energy coming from the carbohydrate content. Diet Coke has 15 mg more sodium and 39 grams less carbohydrates compared to regular Coke. Diet Coke uses most of the same additives as regular Coke but also includes additives such as citric acid and sodium benzoate. On the other hand, regular Coke uses sugar/glucose-fructose as an additive, which Diet Coke does not use. Both drinks don’t have nutritional value with regards to minerals or vitamins however Diet Coke offers individuals a zero-calorie alternative in contrast to the high-calorie regular Coke.

Description of Labels

In accordance with the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act and Regulations, both Diet Coke and Coca-Cola have included bilingual labeling for both the nutrition facts and ingredients list, their country of origin, principal place of business, the net quantity of the drink, and listed the sweeteners for the diet soda. The Nutrition Facts includes calories, fat, carbs, sugars, protein, sodium, and potassium for both drinks but does not include cholesterol, fiber, iron, and vitamins A and C which are common on most food labels. What is not included on either label is the irradiated foods list because the drinks do not contain any, as well as the storage instructions/durable life period as the drinks are shelf-stable. Since Diet Coke was sweetened with aspartame–a low-calorie sweetener that does not increase blood glucose or insulin levels–the company was required to include a statement on the label indicating that the drink contains aspartame, list aspartame in the list of ingredients, indicate exactly how much aspartame was used, and state that aspartame contains phenylalanine. Caffeine is another additive in both Diet Coke and Coca-Cola drinks, and its total quantity is listed on the labels. All of the nutritional information is legibly written in both English and French on the cans by the list of ingredients.

References

This Food Science resource was created by Course:FNH200.