Cola

Cola is a fizzy drink flavored with vanilla, cinnamon, citrus oils, and other ingredients, usually sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners. Its name comes from the kola nut, which contains caffeine, though most modern colas get their caffeine from other sources. A caffeinated soda using kola first appeared in the United States around 1880. Cola gained global popularity after Coca-Cola became a hit—a branded symbol of American capitalism that many other companies have copied.

The main modern flavorings in cola include citrus oils from orange, lime, and lemon peels, along with cinnamon, vanilla, and an acidic ingredient. Coca-Cola syrup was originally made at Joseph J. Jacobs's pharmacy, which became the company's second home. Cola makers add tiny amounts of other flavorings, like nutmeg or coriander, to create unique tastes. Acidity usually comes from phosphoric acid, sometimes with citric or other acids. Coca-Cola's exact recipe is a closely guarded trade secret. Sweeteners vary by region: high-fructose corn syrup is common in the U.S. due to subsidized corn, while Europe uses sugar because of production quotas on HFCS. Diet or sugar-free colas use artificial sweeteners or stevia. In Japan, a small craft cola scene has emerged, with local recipes using regional fruits, herbs, and spices.

Clear colas have appeared several times. In the 1940s, Coca-Cola made White Coke for Soviet Marshal Georgy Zhukov. During the clear craze of the early 1990s, brands like Crystal Pepsi, Tab Clear, and 7 Up Ice Cola were sold. Crystal Pepsi was brought back several times in the 2010s. In Denmark, a clear cola was made by the cooperative FDB in 1976, known as "Hippie Cola" because it highlighted the potential harm of artificial colors and boycotted multinational brands. It was inspired by a campaign from the Danish environmental group NOAH. This led to other sodas without artificial coloring. Today, many organic colas are available in Denmark, but clear cola remains popular for nostalgic reasons. In June 2018, Coca-Cola launched Coca-Cola Clear in Japan.

Health concerns have been raised about cola. A 2007 study linked cola consumption—both sweetened and diet—to a higher risk of chronic kidney disease, possibly due to phosphoric acid. Long-term regular cola intake has been associated with osteoporosis in older women (but not men), again thought to be from phosphoric acid, though sugared and caffeinated colas showed a stronger link than diet or decaf versions. Higher cola intake correlated with lower bone density. Replacing milk with soft drinks may harm adolescent bone development and increase fracture risk. A 2005 study found that soda and sweetened drinks are the main calorie source in the American diet, and people who drink more sweetened beverages have higher obesity rates. Most nutritionists warn that excessive soft drink consumption, especially by young children, can be harmful and compete with a balanced diet. Regular soft drink users tend to have lower intake of calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, riboflavin, and vitamin A. Cola has also been criticized for its caffeine content, which can cause physical dependence and reduce sleep quality. Many North American soft drinks are sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup instead of sugar. Some nutritionists caution that HFCS may worsen obesity and type-2 diabetes more than cane sugar, though as of 2022, there is no strong evidence that replacing sugar with HFCS leads to different health effects.

Regional cola brands in Asia include Air Koryo Cocoa Honeydew, a Coca-Cola-style product from North Korea's national airline; Amrat Cola in Pakistan; Big/Real/Royal Cola in Indonesia, Thailand, Nigeria, and South America; Campa Cola, India's top brand before Coca-Cola and Pepsi returned in 1991; Chi Forest (formerly Genki Forest) sparkling water cola flavor in China; Est Cola in Thailand; Future Cola in China; KIK Cola in Sri Lanka; and Laoshan Cola.