Here’s something that could take a bit of fizz off your Coca-Cola and Pepsi bottles.
An international study has found the two soft drinks to contain small traces of alcohol, sparking concerns among teetotallers who abstain because of religious reasons and those who believe the worst that colas can do is cause a sugar and caffeine overload.
The Paris-based National Institute of Consumption’s study found the alcohol content in colas — measured as alcohol by volume — to be 0.001% (around 10 mg per litre), making them much safer than fruit juices (0.1-0.5%), beer (3-10%), wine (8-14%) and vodka and whisky (40%).
Most juices naturally contain 0.07-0.5% levels of alcohol through fermentation of sugar. The natural alcohol content goes up after a fruit is picked, depending on how it is stored.
“There are no health concerns about alcohol in colas, even for children, but one needs to worry about the sugar and caffeine that mess with weight and sleep,” said nutritionist Ishi Khosla, director, WholeFoods.
The study found small alcohol traces in 10 out of 19 popular cola brands in France, including Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola Classic Light and Coke Zero.
“Some of these soft drinks contain minute traces of alcohol because of the ingredients used”, but the “Pepsi Cola recipe doesn’t contain alcohol”, UK’s Daily Mail quoted a Pepsi spokesperson as saying.
Coca-Cola France said the Paris Mosque had issued a certificate that its products could be consumed by the Muslim community.
“Some of these soft drinks contain minute traces of alcohol because of the ingredients used”, but the “Pepsi Cola recipe doesn’t contain alcohol”, UK’s Daily Mail quoted a Pepsi spokesperson as saying.
Coca-Cola France said the Paris Mosque had issued a certificate that its products could be consumed by the Muslim community.