Coca Cola is not good for your health.- my brother said.
The acidity in colas destroys your body. Even the teeth and bones can dissolve in it.- screamed an e-mail I received. (I am sure all of us must have received that mail some time or the other).
Do you know how much it affects your health? It may lead to cancer, brain tumours etc.- informed my wife.
Still, I must admit sheepishly, that I really love this drink. As the old adage goes- What to do? I am like that only!
However, being true to my inquisitive spirit, I set out to find the other side of the story. Here is what the Coke guys had to say about it.(Info taken from https://.coca-cola.com)
First, let us talk about the dissolving teeth. I just cannot picturise myself holding the coke in my mouth for more than 3 seconds. Secondly, medical science believes that the human saliva is one of the most useful precaution against acidity. It buffers the acid effects. If that was not the case, even having a simple lime juice can be dangerous for humans. In fact, Cranberries and lemons have more acid than Coke. Saliva, to a large extent, actually neutralizes the acid by the time it reaches the stomach.
Secondly, the cancer rumour. The Coke guys claim(and I believe them...period), that the tests of saccharine(allegedly the reason for cancer) were performed on rats. Recent research shows that the large intake of saccharine does lead to cancer. However, this is unique to male rats and not to humans.
My logic is simple. If I can believe the spam e-mails that criticize the colas, then I can also believe the coke website. I take my choice, you take yours. But it is important that before believing anything, one should know both sides of the coin.
Having said that, here is some information about the company.
THE COCA COLA COMPANY
The Coca Cola Beverages was established in 1886. The beginning of Coke is very interesting. The world famous e-mail which I have referred to earlier in the review, has charged Coke with the allegation that it gives headaches. Ironically, the birth of Coke was a result of an experiment to cure headaches. An Atlanta Pharmacist named John Pemberton experimented with some medicinal formula to find a cure for headaches. After getting the initial nod from some people who sampled the drink, it was first put for sale by Jacobs’ Pharmacy at 5 cents per glass. Pemberton’s bookkeeper Frank Robinson named the drink Coca Cola. That time Coke sold an average of 9 glasses per day. Unfortunately, Pemberton had no idea about his loss when he sold the company to Asa Griggs Candler in 1891, for a sum of $2300.
By 1893, Candler’s shrewd business sense brought about a revolution. Coke syrup plants spranged up in Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles. In 1894, however, Candler turned down a suggestion by Joseph Beidenharn, a Mississippi businessman. This suggestion was to sell Coke in a bottled format. Five years later, two lawyers named Thomas and Whitehead secured exclusive rights to sell bottled coke. In 1900, Coke had two bottlers...in 1920, they had 1000.
From then on, Coke increased in popularity. Truly, it was a big revolution in the soft drinks sector.After fighting many substitutes and fake drinks through extensive advertising. Candler made Coke a household name in the US, before selling it to Ernest Woodruff in 1918. His son, Robert Woodruff, is perhaps the man who had the largest influence in Coke going global. Woodruff revolutionized Coke by extensive marketing. Six bottle packs were introduced. Door-to-door sales were effected to grab the market of housewives. Cheap Coke was supplied to the soldiers in the world war, resulting in huge gains for the company after the war. Post-war America was a picture of fun and prosperity. Coke was a part of that fun. The early 60s saw Coke introducing newer brands like Sprite, Tab and Fresca.
COCA COLA AND INDIA
Coca Cola was first introduced in India in the 60s. It took the nation by storm and as expected, handicapped the other companies’ sales. High political games made the company do a forced exit from the Indian market in 1977. However, Coke was reintroduced to India in 1993.
MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS ON COKE
I personally love the flavour of Coke, and prefer it over the mild Pepsi and the too strong Thumsup. The proportion of mildness and fizz is just right in Coke, as far as I am concerned. The taste is fantastic. According to the market demands, Coke comes in multisized bottles, right from 200ml to 2 ltrs. When outside, I invariably go for the Chota Coke, priced at Rs.5. At home, I generally buy the plastic bottle of 1.5 ltrs, as I can entertain guests in my budget.
As for the ad-war between Pepsi and Coke, I have always liked the Pepsi ads better. But somehow, I have always opted for Coke over Pepsi. To my limited wisdom, I can only give the credit to the authentic taste of the drink.
IN CONCLUSION
I would like to stress here that my brother, father and wife were not entirely wrong. Too much Coke can really become a health hazard. But then, too much anything can become a health hazard. Even virtues, in their extremes, become vices.
Be smart. Do not be oversmart!
Have a Coke! In Limits!