Diet Coke and Coke Zero difference explained by dietician

A dietician has sparked a frenzy online after explaining the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Zero in a viral TikTok video.

Abbey Sharp, who is a registered dietitian, took to the platform to break down the ingredients of the two popular Coca-Cola products. She pointed out the main difference between the two fizzy drinks ingredients, reports the Express.

She said: "The key difference is that Diet Coke is sweetened exclusively with aspartame, whereas Coke Zero also contains a sweetener called acesulfame potassium or Ace-K.

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Sharp didn't shy away from addressing the controversy surrounding these sweeteners. She said: "While the wellness community will call both of these sweeteners complete poison, the reality is, they're both FDA-approved and have been deemed safe in moderation."

She also discussed aspartame, an artificial sweetener used in Nutrasweet, Equal, and Sugar Twin, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar Despite last year's claim by the cancer research department of the World Health Organization (WHO) that aspartame is "possibly carcinogenic to humans."

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains a different view, insisting that this "does not mean that aspartame is actually linked to cancer." The FDA has stated that daily intake of aspartame, a common sweetener, should not exceed 50 milligrams per kilogram of your body weight.

Ace-K, another ingredient used in soft drinks, is 200 times sweeter than ordinary table sugar. It is acknowledged as a food additive by the FDA, with over 90 tests carried out to ascertain any detrimental effects.

There has been some concern about these sweeteners' potential health impact, according to a study completed in France in 2022. The research discovered aspartame could elevate stroke risk, while Ace-K may lead to an increased chance of coronary artery disease.

Sharp made his feelings clear, stating: "I'm generally not concerned about either of these sweeteners, though I prefer not to take the risk specifically in pregnancy with Ace-K because it has been shown to cross the placenta. She also highlighted the difference in caffeine content between Coke Zero and Diet Coke - with a Diet Coke can containing approximately 46 milligrams and Coke Zero having 34 milligrams.

She said: "Diet sodas are not health foods, let's be honest. They should be treated no differently than regular, full-sugar soda.

"They don't really add anything to the diet except for maybe some pleasure and a little energy kick. Diet, zero, regular, whatever, if you're gonna drink soda, choose the one you like the most and enjoy in moderation."

People have been sharing their thoughts and opinions on the taste of Coca-Cola Zero and Diet Coke, with many users taking to TikTok to share their own preferences.

One said: "Coke Zero tastes better. Diet Coke has a weird aftertaste".

Another user added: "Diet Coke is just superior, especially with a lime". A third commented: "I don't care for the taste for either one. Though cherry coke zero wasn't terrible."

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