Fanta and Coke are two of the most popular soft drinks in the world and Coke is well-known to be bad for you but what about Fanta? Is Fanta better or worse than Coke? How do these two drinks compare in terms of sugar content and calories? Which drink is healthier?
In this article, we look at their ingredients and nutritional values in detail to answer these questions.
What’s in Fanta and Coke? Let’s Break It Down
Firstly, let’s examine how the ingredients of Fanta and Coke stack up:
| DRINK | INGREDIENTS |
| Coca Cola Original Taste | Carbonated water, Sugar, Caramel Colour (E150d), Phosphoric Acid, Caffeine, Natural flavours |
| Fanta | Carbonated Water, Sugar, Orange Juice from Concentrate (3.7%), Citrus Fruit from Concentrate (1.3%), Citric Acid, Vegetable Extracts (Carrot, Pumpkin), Sweeteners (Acesulfame K, Sucralose), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Malic Acid, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate), Stabiliser (Guar Gum), Natural Orange Flavourings with Other Natural Flavourings, Antioxidant (Ascorbic Acid). |
Both drinks contain carbonated water and sugar but this is where similarities end.
Coca Cola has a very short list of ingredients while Fanta’s ingredient list is much longer. This doesn’t mean Coke is any healthier of course.
One reason why Fanta has a longer list of ingredients is due to its flavour. Its fruity flavour is achieved with several ingredients such as orange juice from concentrate, citrus fruit from concentrate, natural orange flavourings and other natural flavourings.
The other notable difference between Coke and Fanta is the type of sweetening agents they use to make them sweet. In the case of Coke, only sugar is used, but in Fanta, there are also artificial sweeteners.
The other difference worth mentioning is caffeine. Coke has caffeine but Fanta doesn’t have any.
Acids and Their Impact on Teeth
In addition to the other ingredients, Coke contains phosphoric acid, and Fanta includes malic acid and other acids. These acids can erode tooth enamel over time, leading to increased tooth sensitivity and cavities. Both drinks, if consumed regularly, can contribute to dental issues, so it’s essential to limit intake and practice good oral hygiene.
Conclusion? At first look, Fanta seems to be healthier as at least it contains some fruit-based ingredients but how healthy is it really? It’s difficult to judge based on the ingredients so we need to look at the nutritional values as well.
Nutritional Overview: Fanta vs. Coke
Here’s how Fanta and Coca-Cola measure up nutritionally per 100 ml:
| DRINK | CALORIES | FAT | CARBS | SUGARS | PROTEIN | SALT |
| Coca-Cola Original Taste | 42kcal | 0g | 10.6g | 10.6g | 0g | 0g |
| Fanta | 19kcal | 0g | 4.6g | 4.6g | 0g | 0g |
Neither Fanta nor Coke offers significant nutritional benefits. Both are primarily made up of carbohydrates with zero grams of protein or fat. The main differences lie in their calorie and sugar content.
Calories
Per 100ml, Coke has 42 calories, while Fanta has 19 calories—less than half. In a 330ml can, Coke contains 139 calories compared to Fanta’s 63 calories.
Fanta’s lower calorie count is due to the use of artificial sweeteners like Acesulfame K and Sucralose, which substitute some of the sugar content.
Sugar
Coke has significantly more sugar, with 10.6g per 100ml (about 2.5 teaspoons) versus Fanta’s 4.6g (just over 1 teaspoon).
However, the sugar content doubles when consuming 200ml of each drink, leading to a total of 5 teaspoons of added sugar in Coke and slightly over 2 teaspoons in Fanta.
A full 330ml can of Coke has 35g of sugar, exceeding the recommended daily intake of 30g. In contrast, a Fanta can provides 15g of sugar, still a considerable amount but lower than Coke.
Key Health Considerations
Fanta’s lower sugar and calorie content make it appear the more diet-friendly option. However, it contains artificial sweeteners, which come with potential health concerns, such as impacting gut health.
On the other hand, Coke’s high sugar content is linked to obesity and other health risks.
So, Which One is Healthier Then?
While Fanta’s lower sugar and calorie content might make it seem healthier, it’s not that simple.
To reduce Fanta’s calories and sugar content, the brand is using artificial sweeteners which are considered safe but come with drawbacks. For example, they can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your gut and also come with other health concerns.
So, does that mean that Coke is healthier? No, Coke is full of sugar which is associated with a host of health problems, including obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Additionally, both drinks contain acids (phosphoric in Coke, malic in Fanta) that can erode tooth enamel, increasing the risk of cavities.
Ultimately, none of the drinks is healthy but if you need to choose, have Fanta as an occasional treat as it is lower in calories. This will not have a big impact on your health.
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