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Cola is a sweetened, carbonated soft drink, derived from drinks that contain caffeine from the kola nut and non-cocaine derivatives from coca leaves, flavored with vanilla and other ingredients. Most colas now use other flavoring (and caffeinating) ingredients with a similar taste. Colas became popular worldwide after pharmacist John Pembertoninvented Coca-Cola in 1886.[1] His non-alcoholic recipe was inspired by the coca wine of pharmacist Angelo Mariani, created in 1863.[1]

Modern colas usually contain caramel color, caffeine and sweeteners such as sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

Flavorings[edit]

Despite the name, the primary modern flavoring ingredients in a cola drink are sugar, citrus oils (from oranges, limes, or lemon fruit peel), cinnamon, vanilla, and an acidic flavorant.[2][3] Manufacturers of cola drinks add trace ingredients to create distinctively different tastes for each brand. Trace flavorings may include nutmegand a wide variety of ingredients, but the base flavorings that most people identify with a cola taste remain vanilla and cinnamon. Acidity is often provided byphosphoric acid, sometimes accompanied by citric or other isolated acids. Coca-Cola's recipe and several others[which?] are maintained as corporate trade secrets.

A variety of different sweeteners may be added to cola, often partly dependent on local agricultural policy. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is predominantly used in the United States and Canada due to the lower cost of government-subsidized corn. In Europe, however, HFCS is subject to production quotas designed to encourage the production of sugar; sugar is thus typically used to sweeten sodas.[4] In addition, stevia or an artificial sweetener may be used; "sugar-free" or "diet" colas typically contain artificial sweeteners only.

Consumers may prefer the taste of cola manufactured with sugar; as in the United States, with imported Mexican Coca-Cola.[5][6] Kosher for Passover Coca-Cola sold in the U.S. around the Jewish holiday also uses sucrose rather than HFCS and is also highly sought after by people who prefer the original taste.[7] In addition,PepsiCo has recently been marketing versions of its Pepsi and Mountain Dew sodas that are sweetened with sugar instead of HFCS. These are marketed under the name Throwback and became "permanent" products on the lineup.[8]

Clear cola[edit]

Clear cola is a colorless variety of cola produced in the early 1990s. Brands included Crystal Pepsi, Tab Clear, 7 Up Ice Cola and Coca-Cola Clear.

Health[edit]

A 2007 study found that consumption of colas, both those with natural sweetening and those with artificial sweetening, was associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease. The phosphoric acid used in colas was thought to be a possible cause.[9]

Studies indicate "soda and sweetened drinks are the main source of calories in [the] American diet",[10] so most nutritionists advise that Coca-Cola and other soft drinks can be harmful if consumed excessively, particularly to young children whose soft drink consumption competes with, rather than complements, a balanced diet. Studies have shown that regular soft drink users have a lower intake of calcium, magnesium, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin A.[11]

The drink has also aroused criticism for its use of caffeine, which can cause physical dependence (caffeine addiction).[12] A link has been shown between long-term regular cola intake and osteoporosis in older women (but not men).[13] This was thought to be due to the presence of phosphoric acid, and the risk was found to be the same for caffeinated and noncaffeinated colas, as well as the same for diet and sugared colas.

Many soft drinks are sweetened mostly or entirely with high-fructose corn syrup, rather than sugar. Some nutritionists caution against consumption of corn syrupbecause it may aggravate obesity and type-2 diabetes more than cane sugar.[14]

Regional brands[edit]Asia[edit]

• Hay Cola, bottled by "Union" Ltd. in Armenia, produces original Cola and other fruit-flavored sodas.
• ROYAL KIK Cola, popular in South India.
• MyCola, sold in Malaysia by Arqam[15]
• Amrat Cola, popular in Pakistan.
• Campa Cola was India's most popular brand prior to the introduction of Coca-Cola and Pepsi to the Indian market in 1991.
• Future Cola, a local brand in China.
• Laoshan Cola, a local brand in China.
• Est Cola, a local brand in Thailand.
• Mecca Cola, sold in the Middle East, parts of Europe and North Africa.
• Pakola, popular in Pakistan.
• Parsi Cola, popular in Iran.
• Red Bull Cola, popular in Thailand.