Health: Coca-cola Vs. Coke Zero

In one television commercial for Coke Zero, two Coca-Cola representatives sit down to undergo a taste test between Coca-Cola and its calorie-free counterpart. The blindfolded rep takes a sip of each beverage, and as he mistakenly guesses which is which, his partner slaps him wildly across the face. The take-home message is that Coke Zero, while much healthier, is so similar in taste to the original that even Coca Cola's own employees can't tell the difference. Whether the two beverages actually taste the same is a decision best left to each consumer, but they do vary in nutritional value and affect the body in different ways.

Ingredients

Both Coca-Cola and Coke Zero are composed of water, artificial flavors and colors and preservatives. The main difference between Coca-Cola and Coke Zero is that the former uses high fructose corn syrup as its primary sweetener, while the latter uses aspartame. Both high fructose corn syrup and aspartame have faced their share of scrutiny for their potentially adverse health effects, but both are approved by the FDA for human consumption.

Calories

A 14-oz. serving of Coca-Cola contains 170 calories, while a 14-oz. serving of Coke Zero contains none. All of the calories in Coca-Cola come from its sugar content. Coke Zero contains no caloric value because aspartame, a substance composed of amino acids, is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. The Coca-Cola Company can use much less aspartame to reach its desired level of sweetness, thus limiting the calories in its Coke Zero beverage.

Sodium

Because of their preservatives, both Coca-Cola and Coke Zero contain sodium. A serving of Coca-Cola contains 55 mg of sodium, whereas Coke Zero contains 50 mg. Excess sodium in the diet can cause increased blood pressure and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. The USDA recommends most adults consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium each day, and less than 1,500 mg if they are 51 or older.

Sugar and Carbs

Coca-Cola contains 46 g of carbohydrates per serving, all of which exist in the form of sugar. Coke Zero contains none. Carbohydrates are macronutrients that the body primarily uses for energy. Most adults need about 225 to 325 g of carbohydrates each day. The majority of your carbohydrates should be complex, however, such as whole grain products and beans. Sugars are simple carbohydrates and can result in diabetes, weight gain and cardiovascular problems when consumed in excess.