What is the difference between zero coke and diet coke

What is the difference between zero coke and diet coke

George Frey/Getty Images

Both Diet Coke and Coke Zero are marketed towards drinkers of soft drinks who are concerned with keeping an eye on their weight. Neither one contains any sugar or calories. However, the two sodas (might) taste different because each beverage uses a different formula, with differing types of flavorings and sugar substitutes (via Coca-Cola Company).

While a look at the labels of the beverages is sometimes less than helpful due to the vagueness of terms like "natural flavors," a few differences can be gleaned. For both sodas, the first couple of ingredients are the same — carbonated water and caramel color (via Huff Post). In Diet Coke, the third ingredient is aspartame and the fourth is phosphoric acid, whereas in Coke Zero, they are flipped. Coke Zero contains acesulfame potassium, a sweetener, and potassium citrate, a common soft drink additive, while Diet Coke doesn't contain either of those ingredients, and appears to rely on aspartame for sweetening.

Coke Zero takes the lead

What is the difference between zero coke and diet coke

Though the ingredients differ slightly, the beverages have the exact same nutritional values. Zeros across the board except for 40 milligrams of sodium, which they share. Diet Coke was introduced to the market in 1982, almost a century after the original Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 (via Coca-Cola Company). Coke Zero, on the other hand — it was rebranded as Coke Zero Sugar in 2017 — was introduced in 2005 (via Coca-Cola Company).

While fans tend to feel very strongly about one formula or the other, just over half of a focus group was able to taste the difference between Coke Zero and Diet Coke, suggesting that they might not be all that different after all. Meanwhile, Coke Zero has done quite well since its introduction, and Diet Coke has suffered as a result. Consider that in 2016, Coke Zero sales increased by 3.5 percent, while sales of Diet Coke dropped almost 2 percent. Even Coca-Cola executives said that the success of Coke Zero was "cannibalizing" the market for Diet Coke, and even Coca-Cola (via Business Insider).

Coke Zero and Diet Coke are Coca Cola's low-calorie sodas with artificial sweeteners. The difference is the target market segments: Coke Zero is Coca Cola's product line aimed at men, and Diet Coke is aimed at women. The other difference is flavor: Diet Coke has a distinct taste of its own, but Coke Zero is made to taste like regular Coke.

Coke Zero is also called Coca-Cola Zero, and Diet Coke is branded Coke Light or Coca-Cola Light in some countries.

Comparison chart

Coca-Cola Zero versus Diet Coke comparison chart
What is the difference between zero coke and diet coke
Coca-Cola ZeroDiet Coke

  • current rating is 3.56/5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

(145 ratings)

  • current rating is 3/5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

(91 ratings)

What is the difference between zero coke and diet coke
What is the difference between zero coke and diet coke
ManufacturerThe Coca-Cola Company The Coca-Cola Company
Introduced2005 1982
Targeted atYoung adult males Women
Flavors and VariantsCoke Zero, Coca-Cola Cherry Zero, Coca-Cola Vanilla Zero, Caffeine Free Coca-Cola Zero, Coca-Cola Lime Zero Diet Coke, Diet Coke Caffeine-Free, Diet Coke with Lemon, Diet Coke with Lime, Diet Raspberry Coke, Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke, Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda, Diet Coke Plus
IngredientsCarbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzonate, natural flavors, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, caffeine Carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzonate, natural flavors, citric acid, caffeine
TasteSimilar to regular Coke Diet coke does not taste like regular Coke.
SweetenerA blend of aspartame and acesulfame-K A blend of aspartame and acesulfame-K
Food AcidPotassium citrate Citric acid
Calories0 0
Fat (g)0 0
Carbs (g)0 0
Protein (g)0 0
Caffeine9.6 mg per 100 ml 12.8 mg per 100 ml
SlogansReal Coca-Cola Taste AND Zero Calories; Great Taste, Zero Sugar Always Great Taste; Just for the Taste of It
Main CompetitorPepsi Max Diet Pepsi

Coke Zero and Diet Coke Variations

The Coca-Cola Company makes both Coke Zero and Diet Coke.

The company introduced Coke Zero in 2005. Coke Zero currently comes in the following flavors: Coca-Cola Cherry Zero, Coca-Cola Vanilla Zero and Coca-Cola Lime Zero. It also comes in caffeine-free. The brand is sold as Coca-Cola Zero in some other countries.

The Coca-Cola Company introduced Diet Coke in 1982. Currently Diet Coke comes in the following flavors: Diet Coke with Lemon, Diet Coke with Lime, Diet Raspberry Coke and Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. It also comes in three variations: Diet Coke Caffeine-Free, Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda and Diet Coke Plus. Diet Coke is branded Coke Light or Coca-Cola Light in some countries.

Nutrition and Ingredients

Both Coke Zero and Diet Coke have the same ingredients base: Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, potassium benzonate, natural flavors, acesulfame potassium and caffeine. Both use the same sweetener, a blend of aspartame and acesulfame-K. Both Coke Zero and Diet Coke are sugar-free. The calories are negligible enough that the company is able to advertise both as zero-calorie. Neither Coke Zero nor Diet Coke has any fat, carbohydrates or protein. The both have 70 milligrams of sodium.

The difference:

  • Food acid: Coke Zero has potassium citrate, while Diet Coke has citric acid.
  • Caffeine content: 9.6 mg per 100 ml for Coke Zero and 12.8 mg per 100 ml for Diet Coke.

Marketing

The Coca-Cola Company created Coke Zero to taste like regular Coke without the sugar or calories. Diet Coke, on the other hand, has a unique flavor profile.

One of the biggest differences comes in the target market of each product. The company produced Diet Coke and initially advertised the product for both men and women. However, the target audience eventually became just women, especially calorie-conscious ones. Diet Coke’s main competing product is Diet Pepsi. The product has had a couple slogans: “Just for the Taste of It” and “Always Great Taste.”

Advertising for Coke Zero has primarily targeted a male audience. The main competitor is Pepsi Max. Their slogans are “Great Taste, Zero Sugar” and “Real Coca-Cola Taste AND Zero Calories.”

Price

Prices for soda vary depending upon the retailer. In general, Diet Coke prices tend to be slightly higher than Coke Zero. Some people like to store carbonated drinks in bulk, for occasional entertaining, and because buying in bulk is cheaper. Here are the current prices on Amazon.com, usually at a discount.

  • Diet Coke prices on Amazon.com
  • Coke Zero prices on Amazon.com

Coca Cola and Health

Studies show a strong connection between consumption of Coke (and other carbonated drinks) and mental health issues. There is also increased awareness about regular consumption of coke leading to obesity.

An Internet user created a satirical take on a Coca-Cola commercial under the alias John Pemberton to raise awareness of the harmful effects of Coke, and how a significant part of the obesity problem in America may be related to regular consumption of sugary drinks like Coke. The parody quickly went went viral.

References

  • FAQs on Coca-Cola's website
  • Coke Zero ingredients and health concerns - Wikipedia
  • Fact sheet on Coca-Cola's website about different sweeteners they use in their products
  • More info from Coke about sweeteners
  • Coca-Cola UK FAQ
  • Diet Coke vs. Coca-Cola Zero: What's The Difference? - The Huffington Post
  • Additives and Labels - Catherine Saxelby's Foodwatch
  • Wikipedia: Diet Coke
  • Wikipedia: Coca-Cola Zero
  • Wikipedia: List of Coca-Cola slogans

  • Follow
  • Share
  • Cite
  • Authors

Share this comparison:

If you read this far, you should follow us:

"Coca-Cola Zero vs Diet Coke." Diffen.com. Diffen LLC, n.d. Web. 11 Nov 2022. < >

Which is better for you Diet Coke or Coke Zero?

There are very few differences between Diet Coke and Coke Zero. As such, there is no concrete, measurable reason to suggest that one is superior to the other. Nutritionally, there are no significant differences. Their ingredient and caffeine contents are similar as well, so neither is healthier than the other.

What is the healthiest Coke?

Coke Zero, which has recently been rebranded as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, is marketed as a healthier version of the original sugar-sweetened beverage, Coca-Cola Classic..
Calories: 0..
Fat: 0 grams..
Protein: 0 grams..
Sugar: 0 grams..
Sodium: 2% of the Daily Value (DV).
Potassium: 2% of the DV..

What is the sweetener in Coke Zero?

We sweeten Coke Zero Sugar in our bottles and cans with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (or Ace-K). Together, they create a great taste with zero sugar and zero calories.

Is Coke Zero OK for weight loss?

If you're drinking two 12-ounce cans of regular Coke each day, you could eliminate 280 “empty” (non-nutritive) calories by switching to a zero-calorie alternative. Over a month, that's 8,400 fewer calories, enough to lose almost two and a half pounds.