Is Coca-Cola Zero as Bad as People Say?

You’ve probably heard claims that Coca-Cola Zero is the worst of them all, a belief that has been spread widely. It is time to shed some light on this popular sugar-free product. While it is ideally better to avoid sweeteners to overcome sugar addiction, this can be a challenge, particularly for diabetics who want a sweet treat without compromising their health.

Some say Coca-Cola Zero is less healthy than the sugary version because of its chemical components, which are often labelled as potentially carcinogenic. But are these claims really true?

Differences Between Regular Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero

Classic Coca-Cola contains carbonated water, sugar, caramel colour (E150D), phosphoric acid (E338), and natural flavours. Coca-Cola Zero replaces sugar with sweeteners, such as sodium cyclamate (E952), acesulfame K (E950), and aspartame, and also includes an acidity regulator (E331).

Ingredients in Coca-Cola Zero

Sodium Cyclamate (E952)

Sodium cyclamate, internationally labelled as E952, was discovered in 1937 by Michael Sveda at the University of Illinois. It has been used as an artificial sweetener since 1950 because it contains no calories and is over 50 times sweeter than other sweeteners.

Its acceptable daily intake (ADI) is considered safe at 11mg per kg of body weight per day.

Its use was banned in the United States in 1970 due to a study¹ conducted on rats that indicated a cancer risk. However, numerous subsequent studies have concluded that cyclamate is safe for human consumption.

In fact, the FDA determined that cyclamate is not carcinogenic, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified it as a safe non-carcinogenic sweetener in its Group 3 category.

Acesulfame Potassium (E950)

Acesulfame potassium, labelled internationally as E950, was discovered by accident in 1967 and is a synthetic sweetener 200 times sweeter than sugar.

Its acceptable daily intake is 15mg per kg of body weight.

There are few studies on the safety of acesulfame potassium, so nothing can be stated with absolute certainty. However, in this study³ conducted on rats to evaluate the potential carcinogenic effects of acesulfame potassium, no evidence of such a relationship was found.

In 1990, a review⁴ by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) was carried out, followed by a re-evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2000⁵. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its review⁶ in 2015, consistently concluding that it is safe for use in food.

Aspartame

Like the previous compounds, aspartame is a non-caloric sweetener that is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar. This ingredient is probably the most controversial of all, and we’ll explain why.

The FDA has set a safe daily intake of 50mg per kg of body weight.

Aspartame’s bad reputation stems from the fact that, during digestion, it produces methanol, which is later converted into formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. However, this is somewhat irrelevant, as the amount produced is less than that found in some healthy foods, like bananas or carrots, which contain higher levels of methanol than what is generated by consuming aspartame.

Nonetheless, there is ongoing debate between Soffritti and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). While the EFSA has published reviews and conclusions like this⁷, consisting of more than 250 pages and confirming the safety of aspartame, Soffritti has conducted studies like this one⁸ aiming to prove that aspartame is dangerous even at standard doses.

Acidulant (E338)

This additive is phosphoric acid, which is commonly used to add acidity to beverages. Regular consumption has been suggested to contribute to enamel erosion.

Some studies have linked it to lower bone density⁹, but these are superficial studies that do not indicate any serious health risks.

Caramel Colour (E150D)

This is simply a caramel colouring, specifically ammonia-sulfite caramel, which is deemed safe for human consumption. In 2011, concerns arose when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified it as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’.

However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), after reviewing all available information on this compound, concluded (as stated in this press release¹⁰) that there is no cause for concern and that this additive is safe for use in food and beverages.

Acidity Regulator (E331)

The final difference between Coca-Cola Zero and regular Coca-Cola is the acidity regulator (sodium citrate), which the former contains, but the latter does not. Sweeteners are often the focus of scrutiny, but to determine whether Coca-Cola Zero is worse than regular Coca-Cola, this aspect must also be considered.

Can I Drink Coca-Cola Zero If I’m on a Diet?

You can drink Coca-Cola Zero if you’re on a diet, as it contains no calories or sugar, making it a suitable option for satisfying your cravings for fizzy drinks without affecting your caloric intake. This can help make sticking to a diet more manageable, allowing you to enjoy a sweet taste without compromising your weight-loss goals.

However, it’s important not to base your diet solely on calorie-free beverages. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains is essential for effective weight loss and overall health. Enjoy Coca-Cola Zero in moderation and complement your diet with nutritious foods and regular exercise.

Conclusions

Based on all the above, we can conclude that the sweeteners and additives used in the production of Coca-Cola Zero are extensively studied and deemed safe.

However, drawing conclusions about their direct effects on human health is no easy task.

The few studies that highlight potential health issues related to excessive consumption are always observational and do not establish causality. While many myths create controversy around some additives, the most relevant institutions consider them safe. Therefore, there is no need to perpetuate the social alarm against drinking Coca-Cola Zero.

That said, this doesn’t mean the product should be consumed excessively or indiscriminately. Remember that it is a processed product, and these should be consumed sparingly, occasionally, and never in excess. Spreading unfounded claims linking certain additives to cancer or other illnesses is unwarranted.

Even though sweeteners and additives are entirely safe, they are not necessary for everyday use, as they offer no extraordinary benefits when consumed without control. However, it is clear that drinking Coca-Cola Zero is safer than consuming regular Coca-Cola, which contains 37g of sugar per can, while the recommended daily intake is about 50g per person. Now you can do the math.

References

1. Bladder Tumors in Rats Fed Cyclohexylamine or High Doses of a Mixture of Cyclamate and Saccharin. J. M. Price, C. G. Biava, B. L. Oser, E. E. Vogin, J. Steinfeld, H. L. Ley, Science 20 Feb 1970: Vol. 167, Issue 3921, pp. 1131-1132. DOI: 10.1126/science.167.3921.1131
2. Cyclamate, Commissioner’s Decision, 45 FR 61474, September 16, 1980
3. NTP toxicology studies of acesulfame potassium in genetically modified mice and carcinogenicity studies of acesulfame potassium in genetically modified [B6.129-Trp53(tm1Brd) (N5) Haploinsufficient] mice (feed studies). Natl Toxicol Program Genet Modif Model Rep. 2005 Oct; (2):1-113.
4. ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, Prepared at the 57th JECFA (2001), published in FNP 52 Add 9 (2001), superseding specifications prepared at the 46th JECFA (1996) and published in FNP 52 Add 4 (1996). An ADI of 0-15 mg/kg body weight was established at the 37th JECFA (1990).
5. Re-evaluation of acesulfame K with reference to the previous SCF opinion of 1991, SCF/CS/ADD/EDUL/194 final, 13 March 2000, Scientific Committee on Food
6. FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, [Title 21, Volume 3], [Revised as of April 1, 2017], [CITE: 21CFR172.800]
7. Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of aspartame (E 951) as a food additive, EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources, 10 December 2013
8. Aspartame administered in feed, beginning prenatally through life span, induces cancers of the liver and lung in male Swiss mice. Soffritti M, Belpoggi F, Manservigi M, Tibaldi E, Lauriola M, Falcioni L, Bua L. Am J Ind Med. 2010 Dec;53(12):1197-206. DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20896.
9. Colas, but not other carbonated beverages, are associated with low bone mineral density in older women: The Framingham Osteoporosis Study, Katherine L Tucker, Kyoko Morita, Ning Qiao, Marian T Hannan, L Adrienne Cupples, Douglas P Kiel. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 84, Issue 4, 1 October 2006, Pages 936–942.
10. EFSA reviews safety of caramel colours, Council Directive 89/107/EEC, 8 March 2011