Sexy Cola

There’s nothing quite like a nice ice cold can of coke on a hot summer day. The first few gulps, taken until the burn gets too intense, are just sheer pleasure. Better even if you can find a glass bottle.

But…

Sugary drinks make you fat.

Science has proven that fat consumption doesn’t necessarily lead to obesity. In the ’70′s, America went to war on fat. Today, the average calorie consumption from fat has decreased by 10%. In the same time, obesity has increased by 20%. On average, adults weigh 25 lb’s more than they did 25 years ago.

Studies indicate “soda and sweetened drinks are the main source of calories in [the] American diet”. Source

Specifically, fructose makes you fat.

More on that in another post. This one’s about coke.

In 2011, Coke was the worlds most valuable brand.

The first sales of Coca Cola were on May, 8th, 1886 at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia. There was common belief that carbonated beverages were good for you at the time and Coke was marketed as a “cure all”.

Coke concentrate, or Coke syrup, was and is sold separately at pharmacies in small quantities, as an over-the-counter remedy for nausea or mildly upset stomach.

Coca-Cola once contained an estimated nine milligrams of cocaine per glass. Today, none.

The World Loves Coke

If you’re a child of the ’80′s you may remember “New Coke”. The Coca Cola company made some small changes to the recipe and New Coke was born. People missed the old coke though. Hence, “Coca Cola Classic”. When production of New Coke stopped, Classic became obsolete and everything went back to just plain old Coke.

The Coca Cola Controversy.

So we know caffeine to be addictive. Regular consumption of Coke may cause habits of dependence. But that’s not where the controversy lies.

Everyone knows that Coke contains a lot of sugar right?

It’s there to hide the salt. Any cook who’s worth his sugar knows that the best way to hide salty food is to cover it with sugar.

And salt makes you thirsty right?

Think I need another coke…

Sources: Wikipedia, UCTV-Sugar: The Bitter Truth

Disclaimer: Statements made in this publication are the thoughts and opinions of the author and have not been evaluated by the U.S. or Canadian Food and Drug Administration.