Coca-Cola is the most popular soft drink not only in the U.S., but the entire world. However, it’s also a beverage option that's not recommended by doctors, dietitians and other health-focused experts.
You can probably guess the major reason why. Yep, the sugar content. One can of Coke has 39 grams of sugar, which is more than what’s recommended to consume for the entire day.
That’s where Diet Coke and Coke Zero come in. Both drinks do not contain any calories or sugar. Instead, artificial sweeteners are used to make them taste good. While the drinks have this in common, there are ways they’re different from each other too.
How do they compare when it comes to nutrition and how they affect the body? Below, registered dietitians give their honest thoughts about Coke Zero vs. Diet Coke. Here, find out everything you need to know about which sweet drink is best for your health.
Coca-Cola’s website says that Diet Coke is naturally flavored with cherry and ginger lime. However, looking at the ingredients list, it’s clear that not everything in the drink is all-natural.
That the fact that both beverages are made with artificial ingredients instead of sugar does not make them healthier than Coke. “Artificial sweeteners do not make a beverage healthier.
In addition to aspartame, Coke Zero has acesulfame potassium. “It is a calorie-free sugar substitute that is commonly used in processed foods and drinks. It is often combined with other sweeteners, such as aspartame, to enhance its sweetness,” Brown says.
She explains that both aspartame and acesulfame potassium are not known to raise blood sugar levels, making them an attractive option for people with diabetes or those trying to manage their blood sugar levels.
All three dietitians say that the slight difference in artificial sweeteners used does not make one soda healthier than the other. This leads us to the other main difference: the caffeine content. As previously stated, Coke Zero is lower in caffeine than Diet Coke.