What is in Coca-Cola? A briefing on our ingredients

Q. <strong>What</strong> <strong>is</strong> a calorie or a kilojoule?A. A calorie <strong>is</strong> a commonly used term for the scientific termkilocalorie, also called a kilojoule <strong>in</strong> some countries. Calories,kilocalories and kilojoules are measurements of the energyprovided by a food or beverage and the energy used bythe body.Q. Can dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g Diet Coke/Light Coke/Zero make mega<strong>in</strong> weight?A. No. Dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g beverages sweetened with low and no-caloriesweeteners will not stimulate your appetite or make youga<strong>in</strong> weight. Research has shown that foods and beveragesconta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g low and no-calorie sweeteners can help youmanage your calorie <strong>in</strong>take and, if used cons<strong>is</strong>tently toreduce calories, can help you manage your weight.Q. <strong>What</strong> <strong>is</strong> energy balance, and how does th<strong>is</strong> relateto weight?A. When it comes to manag<strong>in</strong>g weight, it’s important tobalance the calories you take <strong>in</strong> with the calories you burnby consum<strong>in</strong>g a sensible, balanced diet comb<strong>in</strong>ed withregular physical activity. Th<strong>is</strong> concept of balanc<strong>in</strong>g calories<strong>in</strong> and out <strong>is</strong> what the experts refer to as “energy balance.”There <strong>is</strong> widespread consensus that weight ga<strong>in</strong> <strong>is</strong> primarilythe result of an imbalance of energy – specifically too manycalories consumed and not enough calories expended.People consume many different foods and beverages so noone s<strong>in</strong>gle food or beverage alone <strong>is</strong> responsible for peoplebe<strong>in</strong>g overweight or obese. But all calories count, whateverfood or beverage they come from, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those from ourcaloric beverages.Q. Can sparkl<strong>in</strong>g beverages be part of a balanced,sensible diet?A. Yes. The cornerstone of good nutrition and dietary habits <strong>is</strong>balance, variety and moderation. That <strong>is</strong> why we subscribeto the nutrition pr<strong>in</strong>ciple that all foods and beverages canhave a place <strong>in</strong> a sensible, balanced diet when comb<strong>in</strong>edwith regular physical activity. People who want to reduce thecalories they consume from beverages can choose from ourlow and no-calorie beverages, which make up nearly 40percent of our beverage portfolio <strong>in</strong> Europe, as well as ourregular beverages <strong>in</strong> smaller portion sizes.But it <strong>is</strong> important to remember that all calories count <strong>in</strong>ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a healthy weight, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those from oursparkl<strong>in</strong>g caloric beverages.DiabetesQ. Can sugars used <strong>in</strong> caloric sparkl<strong>in</strong>g beveragescause diabetes?A. Diabetes occurs when the body can no longer produce ormake enough <strong>in</strong>sul<strong>in</strong>, or properly use the <strong>in</strong>sul<strong>in</strong> it produces.Insul<strong>in</strong> <strong>is</strong> a hormone produced by the pancreas. When thebody cannot produce or make enough <strong>in</strong>sul<strong>in</strong>, it <strong>is</strong> calledType 1 diabetes and <strong>is</strong> usually diagnosed dur<strong>in</strong>g childhood.16 17