coke vs pepsi

 

Pedro Segura

ENGL &102

Professor Montoya

April 8th, 2025

Coke Vs. Pepsi

            There has always been a rivalry between which beverage industry is better, Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Coca-Cola is a giant global beverage, meaning the industry operates through independent bottling partners, manufacturers, retailers etc. Coca-Cola operates in over 200 countries, making it one of the largest selling beverages globally. On the other hand, Pepsi is a multinational company working globally and operating in 200 countries, as well. PepsiCo is a leading company in the food and beverage industry and has a wide range of diversified products. Both companies own the beverage competition, both being the top horsemen of the soda world. The biggest question of the century is which drink is better?

Origins

Coca-Cola founded its company first in 1892 when a pharmacist named John Pemberton created a syrup and sold it as a soda fountain drink at “Jacob’s Pharmacy” in Georgia. Pepsi was first founded in 1893 originally called “Brad’s Drink” by a pharmacist named Caleb Bradham and renamed it “Pepsi-Cola” in 1898. Caleb developed a carbonated drink and sold it at his very own drugstore. During the 1980’s the competition between who’s drink was tastier started to escalate since both drinks had very similar attributes and some even claimed both had the same taste, these wars were then known as the “Cola Wars.” Throughout the years, both continuously attempting to one-up the other with their new products and new flavors.

Health Statistics

Sugary drinks are known to contributing to several health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, tooth decaying. Etc. It is shown that drinking a can of Coca-Cola can damage your body within an hour. (Marengo, 2023) In the article “Is Coca-Cola bad for you” Asher Rosinger states, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of the United States population Trusted Source, will drink at least one sugary beverage on any given day. Young adults are the most regular consumers of sugary drinks.” Most individuals drink sugary drinks on a daily basis which even with just one drink you are consuming 37 grams of added sugar. In a 2015 study it was shown how 184,000 global deaths happen each year due to the consumption of sugary drinks. (Marengo, 2023) Coca-Cola is known for having the same effect as heroin. In the article “Is Coca-Cola bad for you” by Katherine Marengo it states “Within 40 minutes, the body has absorbed all of the caffeine from the cola. This caffeine causes the pupils to dilate and the blood pressure to increase. By this point, the Coca-Cola has blocked the adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing drowsiness. Just 5 minutes later, the production of dopamine has increased. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. According to the infographic, the way that Coca-Cola stimulates these centers is comparable to the effects of heroin. It triggers a person’s urge to drink another can.”

Now that’s all the boring word facts for the pop brands, here’s the interesting numbers when it comes to health facts:

 

Based off these nutrition labels, Coca-Cola has less sugar, Coke having 39 grams per serving vs Pepsi, sneaking 41 grams per serving. I am sure that if you’re reading this review then the absorption of calories is important to you, luckily Coca-Cola has less again compared to its competitors at PepsiCo. Coke is the healthier option between the two, but if being overweight and not caring about your health is for you then sip your Pepsis away!

Price

            When it comes to the debate between which soda is better, it is important to mention price and how much each soda costs and contrast the prices. The average price of a Coke can cost between 44 cents and 73 cents. On the other hand, its competitors at Pepsi charge around the same amount per can as Coke but when it comes to a liter, customers will pay for a better deal at Pepsi than at Coke. The diagram below explains how much each 2-liter bottle costs at different stores, with Pepsi being cheaper at Walmart than Coke by 20 cents, 10 cents being cheaper at Target, Giant Eagle raising the price for Pepsi at a whopping $ 3.29 and Coke being sold for $2.99. Giant Eagle sells Pepsi at a more expensive price, but Albertsons does the complete opposite, making Coke more expensive, sitting on the shelves priced at $3.39 and Pepsi at $2.99. The grocery store Kroger sells both products at the same price, $2.99 for a 2L bottle, based off of the examples of grocery stores, the wiser, cheaper option would be Pepsi over Coke. The question is

This image was used from Coke vs. Pepsi: Which Soda Costs You More in 2023? - The Krazy Coupon Lady

Different Products

One thing that can be agreed when it comes to discussing both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are the different products both companies produced out. With Pepsi producing Mountain Dew, which I must add is one of my personal favorites, and Coke Marketing Fanta, which again one of my personal favorites. I suppose the big question is which brand produces the most favorite drinks? 

The Zero’s

            When it comes to Zero’s (Coke Zero and Pepsi Zero) it is very important to acknowledge the ingredients of both. They are honestly pretty similar to each other, both contain artificial sweeteners, carbonated water, caffeine, preservatives, and flavorings. Nevertheless, the two drinks do have their own differences.

Pepsi Zero Ingredients: Caramel Color, Carbonated water, Phosphoric Acid, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Natural Flavor, Caffeine, Potassium Benzoate (Preservative), Calcium Disodium EDTA (to protect flavor)

Coke Zero Sugar: Caramel Color, Carbonated water, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavors, Caffeine, Potassium Benzoate, Aspartame.

            Critic Acid and phosphoric acid are both found in Pepsi Zero, while Coke Zero only contains phosphoric acid. Ginseng extract is also added to Pepsi Zero, not found at all in Coke Zero. On the other hand, Coke Zero contains Potassium Citrate, not found at all in Pepsi Coke. The flavor of Coke Zero gets improved by this ingredient, Potassium Citrate.

There are no calories in either Pepsi Zero or Coke Zero. Coke Zero is salt-free, on the other hand, Pepsi Zero has a trace amount of sodium (40 mg per 12-ounce can). Therefore, Coke Zero would be a better choice if you're seeking a drink that is overall healthier, and totally free of calories and salt.

 

Pepsi’s Products

     Pepsi has produced many thirst-quenching beverages, but my personal favorites consist of Mountain Dew. Everyone loves Mountain Dew, I cannot tell you enough about how many times a customer will come into the restaurant I work at, asking for Mountain Dew, the drink is extremely flavorful, almost feels as if it’s lightning in a bottle! Watch out when drinking this Pepsi beverage though because it’s full of 46 grams of sugar from a 12 ounce can of Mountain Dew.

Coke’s Products

     Pepsi had some acceptable products; I will admit that but wait till you get a taste of these Coca-Cola drinks. Sprite! Fanta! The first three sodas which all three shine in the soda beverage world, Coke outdid themselves when releasing Fanta, with over 100 flavors worldwide. The taste of Fanta’s is just indescribable, Orange! Strawberry! Watermelon! You name it Fanta and it has it. People would describe Fanta as a juice drink on steroids, due to its fruity flavors but soda kicks to it. Energy? Last but certainly not least, Sprite, the refreshing drink, has been crushing the beverage scene since late 1950’s. With different flavors like Sprite Cranberry, Sprites have always been the go-to drink at your local gas station.

 

Although the products produced by Pepsi are some of the most refreshing drinks on the market, Coca-Cola still holds its crown as the best soda over the rest including Pepsi. Coke has been leading the market since the 1890’s, overcoming Pepsi through their upbringing. The next time you find yourself thirsty on a hot sunny day, go to your local gas station, do not reach for the Pepsi. Instead pick up a Coke, open it, take a sip, and enjoy it!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
    What If social media didn’t exist? Social media has significantly increased throughout the years. But have you ever sat and wondered how life would be if we didn’t have social media? Social media changed society but for better or worse? If social media never came into the picture, then the inference that life would be simpler could be made. If social media didn’t exist it is more likely that people would have less social comparison and be more confident in themselves. Without social media platforms less fake news and rumors would be spread around and cyberbullying would never abuse anyone. There would be negative effects if the platforms were never existent, for example, businesses and brands would struggle drastically to market themselves. However, brands and businesses would have adapted to promote their products just as they did it in the 1900s before social media. Using TV commercials or billboards or as simple as business cards, three ways to solve the marketing w...
Read more

Is ‘The Dark Tower’ Worth Watching?

Image
    Is ‘The Dark Tower’ Worth Watching? “The Dark Tower” a novel written by Stephen King read by millions of readers. Nikolaj Arcel, inspired by the book, directed a film based of the novel’s story. The movie begins with a young teenage boy, Jake Chambers (Tom Taylor), an outcast at school, and a reject at home, cursed with nightmares, or blessed with visions? Jake is forced to follow his calling through unfortunate events, leading him to the man in his dreams, Roland, The Gunslinger. (Idris Elba) Roland and Jake travel through different worlds, fighting different demons and monsters, all in attempt to locate the Man in Black, (Mathew McConaughey) who’s doing everything in his might to destroy the very thing Roland swore to protect, The Dark Tower. An action-packed movie filled with bullets flying, usage of magic, and powerful visions! “The Full Package” (The Dark Tower movie reference)   The entire film had me out of my seat, full of questions, full of thrill, and ...
Read more