Coca-Cola Zero — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Coca-Cola Zero by Coca-Cola ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

A lab-built diet cola: carbonated water dosed with two artificial sweeteners, phosphoric acid, a preservative, and caramel colour. Zero sugar, but zero nutrition too.

Why this verdict

• Two artificial sweeteners stacked (sucralose + acesulfame potassium)
• Phosphoric acid erodes enamel and is linked to lower bone density
• Sodium benzoate preservative plus caramel colour 150d (sulphite-ammonia caramel)
• Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) — zero actual food, zero nutrition
• Caffeine and engineered sweetness keep cravings going

Ingredients (9)

• Carbonated Water (safe) — Plain fizzy water, the harmless base.
• Phosphoric acid (acidity regulator 338) (moderate) — Sharp acid that erodes tooth enamel and, in heavy soda drinkers, is associated with lower bone mineral density.
• Sodium citrate (acidity regulator 331iii) (safe) — Common, well-tolerated buffer that tunes tartness.
• Sucralose (sweetener 955) (moderate) — Calorie-free artificial sweetener ~600x sweeter than sugar; keeps you hooked on intense sweetness and may disrupt gut bacteria.
• Acesulfame potassium (sweetener 950) (moderate) — A second artificial sweetener, usually paired with sucralose to mask aftertaste — two stacked sweeteners is engineered sweetness.
• Sodium benzoate (preservative 211) (moderate) — Preservative; can form trace benzene with vitamin C and is a common irritant in sensitive people.
• Caffeine (moderate) — Added stimulant (~10mg/100ml) that makes the drink mildly habit-forming; not a nutrient.
• Caramel colour (150d, sulphite-ammonia caramel) (moderate) — Cosmetic colour only; the ammonia-process variant can carry 4-MEI, a compound flagged for concern at high intake.
• Natural Flavouring Substances (moderate) — Undisclosed proprietary flavor blend — 'natural' tells you nothing about what's actually in it.