From the popular Coca Cola brand, Diet Coke has often been seen as a healthy alternative to the original Coke. Made with sweeteners, caffeine, and other added ingredients found in a typical soda beverage many people often wonder if this soda is vegan?
Diet Coke is vegan. According to the Coca Cola website, the ingredients found in their diet soda does not include any animal byproduct, including the dyes that are used. However, it may not be the healthiest beverage to consume. The best healthier vegan alternatives to Diet Coke include Olipop Vintage Cola, San Pellegrino Pomegranate & Blackcurrant, and MUD WTR.
In this article we will discuss if Diet Coke is healthy and the effects it has on the body. We will also analyze the nutrition information of several different flavors of Diet Coke and see how they stack up against the healthy alternatives we’ve found for you. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Is Diet Coke Healthy?
We won’t go as far as to say that Diet Coke is healthy. Soda has no nutritional value to it and therefore there is no benefit to drinking it. While Diet Coke doesn’t contain any sugar, the artificial sweeteners and other chemicals used in the diet soda are not safe for most people.
Diet sodas have actually been linked to cardiovascular problems. They have also been linked to high blood pressure, due to their high sodium content, which seems to be a major ingredient used to flavor many diet sodas. High blood pressure can be a factor that significantly increases a person’s likelihood of having a stroke or heart attack.
Diet Sodas And Digestive Health
Diet sodas have been linked to a disturbance in the gut microbiome. Your gut microbiome is responsible for keeping your immune system healthy, promoting serotonin production, as well as allowing you to absorb nutrients to help you digest food properly. If your gut microbiome is thrown off balance it can lead to a plethora of adverse health effects including, gas, bloating, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea and more.
The Aspartame used in many diet drinks has also been known to cause dysfunctions in the body that can lead to fatty liver disease. Your liver is your body’s filtration system. It is responsible for excreting bile and carrying away waste. You want to be sure to treat it with respect by not over consuming chemicals like Aspartame.
Does Diet Coke Cause Weight Gain?
As with anything else, Diet Coke will not directly cause weight gain. However, it has no nutritional value or nutritional benefit. If you drink it in excess, there is the possibility that it will not fill you up and hydrate you the same way that water does. Because of this, you may feel hungrier throughout the day which can lead to a potential of over-eating. It is always important to eat a well-balanced diet and be mindful of the food that you are choosing. If you pair that with daily activity you are on your way to living a healthy lifestyle.
Is Diet Coke Gluten Free?
Yes, according to the Coca Cola company website, all of their products are gluten free. It is always important to check the nutrition label on any product to make sure it is gluten free. If wheat, rye, barley, or triticale are listed, then the product contains gluten and is not suitable for a gluten free diet. If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, it is important to consult your doctor to ensure products are compatible with your dietary needs.
Nutritional Information Of Diet Coke
Let’s see how this popular brand name stacks up against the alternatives that are out on the market now.
Original Diet Coke
The ingredients in this product are:
- Carbonated Water
- Caramel Colour
- Phosphoric and Citric Acid
- Aspartame (Contains Phenylalanine)
- Flavour
- Sodium Benzoate
- Caffeine
- Acesulfame-potassium
Nutrition Facts (Per 310 mL):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Blueberry Acai Diet Coke
The ingredients in this product are:
- Carbonated Water
- Caramel Colour
- Phosphoric and Citric Acid
- Aspartame (Contains Phenylalanine)
- Potassium Benzoate
- Potassium Citrate
- Acesulfame-potassium
- Caffeine
Nutrition Facts (Per 310 mL):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Caffeine Free Diet Coke
The ingredients in this product are:
- Carbonated Water
- Caramel Colour
- Phosphoric and Citric Acid
- Aspartame (Contains Phenylalanine)
- Flavour
- Sodium Benzoate
- Acesulfame-potassium
Nutrition Facts (Per 355 mL):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Lime Diet Coke
The ingredients in this product are:
- Carbonated Water
- Caramel Colour
- Phosphoric and Citric Acid
- Aspartame (Contains Phenylalanine)
- Flavour
- Sodium Benzoate
- Acesulfame-potassium
Nutrition Facts (Per 355 mL):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Protein: 0g
Healthy Alternatives To Diet Coke
Olipop Vintage Cola
This prebiotic Cola has the same taste of a vintage Cola but with added health benefits. Olipop has fiber in it, which is great for the digestive system, it helps us break down other nutrients and helps keep our gut microbiome healthy.
The ingredients in this product are:
- Carbonated Water
- OLISMART (Cassava Root Fiber, Chicory Root Inulin, Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin, Nopal Cactus, Calendula Flower, Kudzu Root, Marshmallow Root, Slippery Elm Bark)
- Cassava Root Syrup
- Apple Juice Concentrate
- Lime Juice
- Organic Natural Cola Flavor
- Alpha Galangal Root
- Stevia Leaf
- Himalayan Pink Salt
- Green Tea Caffeine
- Natural Vanilla Flavor
- Natural Caramel Flavor
- Cinnamon Extract
Nutrition Facts (Per 355 mL):
- Calories: 35
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total Sugars: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 0g
San Pellegrino Momenti Pomegranate & Blackcurrant
San Pellegrino is a sparkling Italian drink made with real fruit juices and no artificial sweeteners. It is carbonated water which gives you the texture of soda but is still a hydrating and refreshing alternative.
The ingredients in this product are:
- Water
- Sugar
- Pomegranate juice concentrate
- Blackcurrant juice concentrate
- Carbon dioxide
- Natural flavors
- Fruit and vegetable concentrates (for color)
- Citric acid
Nutrition Facts (Per 350 mL):
- Calories: 35
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Sugars: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 0g
MUD WTR
If you are looking for a caffeine alternative to soda, MUD WTR is the way to go. Similar to coffee, MUD WTR is made with 100% organic ingredients and meant to provide you with energy and focus throughout the day. Not only is it made from mushrooms but it is a sugar free drink as well.
The ingredients in this product are:
- Organic mushroom blend (chaga, reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps mycelial biomass cultured on organic oats)
- Organic cacao
- Organic Spice Blend (organic cinnamon, organic turmeric, organic ginger, organic cardamom, organic black pepper, organic nutmeg, organic cloves)
- Organic black tea powder
- Himalayan pink salt
Nutrition Facts (Per 1 tbsp/6g):
- Calories: 20
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total Sugars: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Protein: <1g
Health-Ade Pop Ginger Fizz
Health-Ade Pop is a functional soda alternative made with probiotics. Probiotics are great for creating a healthy gut which can lead to a healthier immune system. With added fiber this drink can also help you absorb nutrients from the other foods you consume throughout the day.
The ingredients in this product are:
- Organic Fermented Tea
- Prebiotic Fiber From Corn
- Cold-pressed Ginger Juice
- Cold-pressed Lemon Juice
- Natural Fruit Flavors
- Cranberry Extract
- Monk Fruit
- Organic Fermented Tea: [Filtered Water, Acids From Fermentation (Acetic, Lactic, Gluconic, Tartaric), Cane Sugar, Live Kombucha Cultures, Black Tea, Green Tea, Carbonation]
Nutrition Facts (Per 12oz):
- Calories: 30
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Total Sugars: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: <1g
Final Thoughts
Although soda is a popular beverage it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right choice for you. Though it will not inherently cause weight gain the other adverse effects it can have over time are not quite worth the risk. From high blood pressure, to risk of stroke and heart attacks you can skip out on the soda and find a different alternative to benefit your needs.
There are plenty of options available that have added health benefits for your gut system and your overall health. Always be sure to eat a well-balanced diet and pair it with daily activity to live a healthy lifestyle.
Related Questions
Does Diet Coke Have Caffeine?
Yes, a 12oz can of Diet Coke has about 46 mg of caffeine in it. A Coca Cola product will specifically state if it is caffeine-free on the label. If it doesn’t say so, then there is caffeine in the product. You can check the nutrition label to see how much caffeine is in each product.
Can Diet Coke Cause Cancer?
No, in the last few years the studies that have been conducted simply aren’t conclusive enough to prove that Diet Coke or any diet soda can directly cause cancer.
Will Diet Coke Dehydrate Me?
While caffeinated beverages may have a mild diuretic effect– meaning they may cause you to need to urinate more frequently– they haven’t been proven to increase the risk of dehydration.