Coke Zero is a popular sugar-free soda marketed as a healthier alternative to regular Coke. It tastes sweet from artificial sweeteners, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium (also known as Ace-K). These are zero-calorie sweeteners that are around 200 times sweeter than sugar. These sweeteners are commonly used in sugar-free and low-calorie foods and beverages and are not metabolised in the body. Zero sugar drinks often contain caffeine that can cause hyperglycemic events.
Is Coke Zero harmful?
• Aspartame is an artificial sweetener. Aspartame is a synthetic sweeter that does not add extra calories.
• No reports are available yet on the effect of acesulfame potassium on the increase in insulin in humans.
Coke Zero may seem like a better alternative to regular sweetened sodas as its artificial sweeteners do not add extra calories to the drink. When you consume Coke Zero, these sugars pass through your digestive system without breaking into glucose. They are not metabolised in the body, causing minimal changes in blood sugar levels. When not paired with carbohydrates and consumed on their own, it may not result in hyperglycaemia.
