Photo Credit: iStock.com\/Artist’s bopav<\/p>\n
Over the years, we have come across several controversial reports regarding the world\u2019s most popular beverage; Coca-Cola. Just the sound of its name is enough to tempt soda lovers around the world. But, don\u2019t we all, at the same time, vouch for the unhealthy effects it puts on our body\u2019s mechanism? Indeed, most of us do. From the use of mercury to being a \u201ckiller coke,\u201d Coca-Cola fans have heard it all and remained persistent against the odds.<\/p>\n
The Coca-Cola Company<\/strong><\/a> has launched a promotional campaign this year in defense of its use of Aspartame<\/em><\/strong> in the cold-drinks. Aspartame is the typical alternative for a sweetener which is 200 times stronger in sweetness than actual sugar and is said to be used for weight control. It is mostly used for products; such as, sweets, cereals, desserts, yogurt, soft drinks, etc.<\/p>\n By this, I am not just referring to the Canadian film \u201cThe Coca-Cola Case,\u201d<\/strong> which was about the murder of eight Coca-Cola bottlers in Columbia. Nor about the campaign called the Killer Coke<\/strong> (Murder: It\u2019s The Real Thing) which demands a ban on the company\u2019s products from university campuses.<\/p>\n What I am referring to is a number of things including the two mentioned in the above paragraph. The biggest and worst threat is possibly the use of aspartame in cold beverages.<\/p>\n The new ad campaign was rolled out by the company in August this year which openly defends the use of artificial sweetener, i.e. aspartame, in dietary products.<\/p>\n The article featured in AdWeek<\/strong><\/a> says: \u201c<\/em>It\u2019s Coca-Cola\u2019s first ad explicitly defending its use of artificial sweeteners in an ad, but the print execution is an extension of the company\u2019s campaign, launched this January, to combat detractors who blame it for contributing to obesity, by pointing to the host of diet and other beverages it sells beyond traditional, sugary cola.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n However, Michael F. Jacobson, the executive director of theCenter for Science in the Public Interest, was the first to hit back on such claims. He said \u201cAspartame has been found to cause cancer\u2014leukemia, lymphoma, and other tumors \u2014 in laboratory animals, and it shouldn\u2019t be in the food supply.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Research also reveals an increase in appetite, carbs cravings, fat storage and weight gain after using the artificially sweetened \u201cdiet\u201d drinks and foods.<\/p>\n Other ingredients making it unfavorable are: Phosphoric Acid<\/strong>, high fructose corn syrup<\/strong>, sodium Benzoate<\/strong>, citric acid<\/strong>, and mercury<\/strong>, etc. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition<\/strong><\/a> published a study some years ago which provided evidence for the connection between soda consumption and lower bone density. Also the presence of Bisphenol A<\/strong>, Alcohol<\/strong>, and Benzene<\/strong> makes it rather dangerous to consume as a normal human dietary stuff. Just the fact the benzene is a natural constituent of gasoline and crude oil makes it a first class human carcinogen.<\/p>\n So, why are we focusing so much on Coke\u2019s use of aspartame when it is, literally, the most commonly used ingredient in all diet food? Whether it\u2019s a dessert or carbonated drinks, any diet conscious person looks for a healthier alternative and most of us fall into the trap of artificial sweeteners. <\/p>\n•\tThe \u201cKiller Coke\u201d \u2013 Not Just a Controversy!<\/h2>\n
•\tThe Threat of Aspartame:<\/h2>\n
•\tWhy Only Coke??<\/h2>\n