What’s the difference?

luce_de_luce · January 2018

I can’t find much of a difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero (besides the taste - I definitely prefer the Diet). Both have 0 calories, 0 fat, 70 mg sodium, and although Coke Zero explicitly states it has 0 sugar, there’s no sugar content listed on Diet Coke. Coke Zero has slightly less caffeine. Also, both contain aspartame but Diet Coke lists it as the 3rd ingredient while Coke Zero lists it as the 4th. Both also contain phenylalanine, which I have no clue what it is but it sounds deadly. Anyway, can anyone offer some insights that I’m clearly lacking?

Also, have any Diet Coke drinkers (or any soda/caffeine drinkers) noticed an uptick in breakouts when you consume Diet Coke? It seems I break out more when I drink it, but there are so many other variables that I can’t be sure so I’d love to hear other people’s experiences with that.

bendyourkneekatie · January 2018

mae_bud wrote: »

which I have no clue what it is but it sounds deadly.

O_o

bpetrosky · January 2018

The only difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar is the flavoring and marketing.

mae_bud wrote: »

Both also contain phenylalanine, which I have no clue what it is but it sounds deadly. Anyway, can anyone offer some insights that I’m clearly lacking?

The only difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar is the flavoring and marketing.

Phenylalanine is a molecule that is a part of the structure of aspartame. It's disclosed because people with a relatively rare condition called PKU can have a reaction to products with aspartame. Otherwise it's perfectly safe.

This is a good thread that discusses the safety of aspartame.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary/p1

ccsernica · January 2018

mae_bud wrote: »

Both also contain phenylalanine, which I have no clue what it is but it sounds deadly.

The number of syllables in the name of a substance has nothing to do with it being poison. "Lead" has only one syllable, after all.

Phenylalanine is an amino acid commonly found in, among many other natural sources, breast milk. It plays enough important roles in our metabolism that there's a minimum daily requirement established for it. The reason the cans display a prominent warning is that some people have a disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU) where they cannot properly metabolize phenylalanine and must be careful of their intake. In this case it's a byproduct of aspartame, and you'll find the same warning on any food sweetened with aspartame.

To answer your question, Coke Zero appears to have been more carefully formulated so that it tastes somewhat closer to real Coke. Or at least, that's what they were going for.

Eelkov · January 2018

Just the taste...
Pepsi Max is my favourite.

luce_de_luce · January 2018

Thanks for your replies. I think the “phen” reminds me of “phen fen,” which may have no similarities whatsoever. Reading about it left a strong impression so I guess that’s what I relate it to.

AnvilHead · January 2018

mae_bud wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. I think the “phen” reminds me of “phen fen,” which may have no similarities whatsoever. Reading about it left a strong impression so I guess that’s what I relate it to.

Here's a good read about aspartame and the 'deadly' phenylalanine, written by a biochemist - http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary/p1

ccsernica · January 2018

mae_bud wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. I think the “phen” reminds me of “phen fen,” which may have no similarities whatsoever. Reading about it left a strong impression so I guess that’s what I relate it to.

Organic molecules are often named by splitting it up into discrete groups and then naming off the groups. "Phenyl" is a ring of 6 carbon atoms, similar to benzene but with a missing hydrogen atom making a bond available for attachment to other groups. (Hence, "phenylalanine".) It has nothing to do with the "phen" in fen-phen, which is short for phentermine, a stimulant and appetite suppressant.

Ironically, phentermine was the relatively benign part of fen-phen, and is still used for its original purpose. It was the "fen" part, fenfluramine, that was eventually shown to cause heart problems.

luce_de_luce · January 2018

Thank you, @ccsernica for explaining!

MarylandRose · January 2018

Since the safety (and deliciousness) of various Coke products has been discussed above, I'll say that I have not noticed a correlation between my soda consumption and acne. I haven't noticed any food correlations, actually, much less causation.
Stress does make me break out, and stress also tends to lead to me sleeping less, holding my chin/rubbing my face more, and/or being less meticulous about washing my face (rinsing face before collapsing into bed vs washing/toning/moisturizing). That's been the only correlation I've found: more stress = more acne, probably due to hormones, lack of sleep, and decreased quality of facial care routine.
I drink soda occasionally, so it would stand out to me if Monday I drank a Coke Zero and Wednesday I woke up to a breakout, but that hasn't happened. In fact, on Saturday I drank 3 (plus an 8 oz Diet Coke, plus coffee in the morning), and no harm done to my skin.

What’s the difference?

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