Top 15 Coca-Cola Myths Debunked
Ever since the Coca-Cola Company opened its doors, there has been a flood of
curiosity about how the company has taken hold of the industry. This curiosity
has lead to the creation of a number of myths. Most of the myths that have been
circulated are downright comical, while others are quite harmful to the
company’s reputation. Because of this, the Coca-Cola Company has had to do a
large amount of damage control to improve the public’s perception of them.
Unfortunately, many of these myths have been around for decades. They just keep
getting re-circulated with different twists being added to them.
By Morio (photo taken by Morio) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0],
via Wikimedia Commons
Myth 15) If You
Place a Penny in a Cup of Coca-Cola Overnight, the Penny Will Dissolve
According to the MSN Health website, this myth is absolutely false. While it is
true that coke contains phosphoric acid and citric acid, it is not a large
enough amount to dissolve a penny. While there are many people who have actually
believed this myth enough to try it out for themselves, it really only required
a bit of common sense to debunk. If Coke contained high enough levels of acid to
dissolve a penny, there would be millions of consumers complaining about
intestinal issues. With as much soda as the general public consumes, there is no
way that this issue would have not resulted in a major lawsuit against the
company. Additionally, Coke is stored in aluminum cans and plastic bottles. If
the drink contained that much acid, the beverage wouldn’t even make it to the
shelves before these containers were dissolved.
Myth 14) Coca-Cola
Contains Small Amounts of Cocaine
The myth that Coke contains small traces of cocaine is one that is no
longer true. According to MSN Health, when Coke was first sold in 1885, this
myth would have been absolutely true. When Coke was first created, it was
marketed as a tonic that contained coca leaves and kola nuts. The carbonated
water that was used at that time was stimulating and considered to be good for
you. However, after the turn of the 20th century, cocaine received its negative
reputation. After this point, the Coca-Cola recipe was completely stripped of
any traces of the drug. So while there are still traces of cocaine in the
company’s name, there is absolutely none left in the recipe. The current
Coca-Cola recipe is actually under lock and key and can only be accessed by two
executives in the company.
This particular myth has been used as a way to explain why so many people
continue to drink Coke in large quantities. There is really only one real
explanation for the Coca-Cola company’s success. The company has worked
tirelessly to provide their consumers with a product that they can enjoy. The
original recipe for Coca-Cola is so different from the recipe that is used today
because the Coca-Cola company listened to their consumers. The recipe has been
worked and obsessed over to ensure that consumers are receiving a product that
is high in quality.
Myth 13) Coca-Cola
Can Relieve GERD
Somewhere along the line, someone started the rumor that Coca-Cola could
actually sooth and help those with GERD. This is a rumor that gained a bit of
popularity and was circulated through email, social media, and word of mouth. It
is also a rumor that upset a lot of doctors and parents.
Hyperacidity in stomach caused by carbonation
Unfortunately for those that have the condition, this myth is completely
false. According to MSN Health, any drink has the ability to temporarily relieve
the pain that you can experience from GERD. That does not, however, mean that
the drink is good for you. In regards to Coke being good for GERD, it is
actually the opposite. Because there is acid in Coca-Cola, the drink will
actually irritate the GERD condition. Drinking large amounts of it can actually
make it worse. It should be noted, however, that any drink containing acidic
components should be avoided by any person suffering from GERD. People who have
GERD and suffer from it should actually stick with water or other drinks that
have been cleared by their doctor.
Myth 12) If You Mix
Pop Rocks with Coca-Cola, You Will Explode
The myth that drinking a mixture of Pop Rocks and Coke will kill you is a rumor
that has been around for years. It is a rumor that many older siblings use
against their younger siblings in an effort to keep them away from the last of
the Pop Rocks and Coke. It is a rumor that has been re-circulated and
altered to fit the current generation. It is also a rumor that many children
continue to have fun disproving. There was, however, a time when this rumor was
the result of much panic in a particular generation.
About 20 years ago, there was a rumor that the actor, John Gilchrist, from
the Life cereal commercials died from drinking a mixture of Pop Rocks candy and
Coke. According to the myth, the combination of the popular popping candy and
America’s favorite soda created a chemical reaction that caused the actor’s
stomach to explode from the inside. This particular myth got so much attention
because people were a little panicked at the thought of their favorite candy and
their favorite drink causing their favorite commercial actor any harm. Luckily,
there is absolutely no reason to worry about any of your favorites. According to
MSN Health, this myth is absolutely false. In fact, the actor that played the
beloved cereal icon is still alive and well, completely explosion free.
Myth 11) Coca-Cola
Was Once Contaminated by Terrorists
There are some myths that have the ability to create severe negative effects for
the company if it is believed. A rumor that created a lot of problems for
Coca-Cola and still continues to is that terrorists were able to infiltrate the
Coca-Cola Company. When the terrorists supposedly infiltrated the company, they
would have been able
to contaminate all of the products created by the company. Those products were
apparently sent out to retailers and were distributed to consumers. Because of
this, consumers were advised to dispose of all of their Coca-Cola products and
to stop buying them. In some versions of this particular myth, Coca-Cola invited
these terrorists into their factories with open arms. In other versions, there
are hidden terrorists throughout the company whose main goal is to bring harm to
Coca-Cola consumers.
By User:Ronbo76 (Own work) [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-2.5],
via Wikimedia Commons
According to the official Coca-Cola Company, there is absolutely no truth to
this myth. This particular rumor was started by a small group of people that
claimed that a major news network put an alert out on the Coca-Cola factories.
Depending on the version that you have heard, you would have to believe that
Coca-Cola is either not secure enough or that they wish to harm the very
consumers that support and purchase their products. Fortunately, neither
scenario is true. In fact, many Coca-Cola employees have felt insulted over
those types of accusations. This particular myth was circulated to thousands of
people via email and social media. It is a myth that has caused a large amount
of unnecessary worry for consumers, employers, and the retailers that sell Coke,
as well as the vendors. Coca-Cola has had a hard time keeping rumors like this
to a minimum. Because Coca-Cola has a large number of committed consumers,
contaminating the factories would cause a lot of harm to millions of people.
This factor makes this type of rumors somewhat believable and even more
dangerous to the company’s reputation.
Myth 10) A Child
Died when He Ate a Mentos and then Drank Coca-Cola
For some time now, a rumor has been circulating that a small child that drank a
mixture of Coca-Cola and Mentos suffered deadly consequences. According to the
official Coca-Cola website, this rumor is absolutely false. This particular
rumor was, and still is, circulated via email, YouTube, and social media. While
most people just laugh it off, it is a myth that Coca-Cola isn’t too happy about
being associated with. In fact the possibility of a Mentos and Coke mixture
causing death is almost impossible.
This is a rumor that was started when it was discovered that putting Mentos
into a full bottle of Coke will create an extreme fizzing effect. When you chew
on a Mentos and then drink Coke, what happens is actually the opposite. Instead
of fizzing and exploding, you will find that nothing happens. This is because
when you chewed and broke the shell of the candy, you destroyed the surface that
was responsible for the carbon dioxide bubbles. There are several variations to
this particular myth, so it is recommended that you disregard any that even
resemble it.
Myth 9) The Aluminum
That Coca-Cola Uses for Their Cans Can Cause Alzheimer’s
Another strange and possibly hurtful rumor is that the aluminum used to create
Coca-Cola cans can cause a person to develop Alzheimer’s disease. According to
the Coca-Cola website, this is absolutely false. In fact, it is quite
impossible. The inside of every single Coca-Cola can is lacquered, which
prevents large amounts of aluminum from being in contact with the actual soda.
In order for a drinker to even come into contact with the amount of aluminum
that is found in aluminum hydroxide-based antacid tablets, they would have to
drink about 5,000 twelve-ounce cans of soda. According to the Alzheimer’s
Association, there is no actual evidence that proves that contact with aluminum
can cause Alzheimer’s disease. So even if you were drinking from a non-lacquered
can, the chance of you developing Alzheimer’s is slim to none.
The development of rumors such as this one is not only harmful to the
company, but they are harmful to the people that actually have to live with a
disease like Alzheimer's. Rumors such as this one take a serious disease that
many people deal with every day and turn it into a sort of joke. Unfortunately,
rumors such as this one often get the most attention because they cause many
people to become fearful or even panicked.
Myth 8) A Consumer
Died After Drinking out of a Coca-Cola Can That Was Encrusted with Rat Urine
This is a rather disgusting rumor that you have probably heard at one point or
another. As the myth goes, a lady went to lunch with her friend and purchased a
can of Coke with her lunch. She enjoyed her lunch, drank her Coke, and went back
to work. About 24 hours later, this lady was dead. The coroner’s report showed
that there were traces of rat urine in her system. After some research and
detective work, it was discovered that the can of Coke that the lady drank from
was encrusted with rat urine.
According to the Coca-Cola website, this myth is absolutely false. The
Coca-Cola website is very quick to point out that each of their cans of soda
goes through rigorous inspection and that there has never been an incident
involving rat urine and a can of Coke. Furthermore, the chances of the lady not
noticing that she were about to put her mouth on a rat urine-encrusted can seems
highly unlikely. Not only would she notice the smell, but she probably would
have noticed the taste as well.
Myth 7) Coca-Cola
Has Ties to the Nazi Regime
The myth that the Coca-Cola Company supports, or ever supported, the Nazi regime
is absolutely false. Not only is it false, but it is a hurtful rumor that is in
no way entertaining. According to the Coca-Cola website, the company completely
rejects the Nazi regime or any ideals that can be compared to it. This nasty
rumor started when photos surfaced of posters that were used by the Nazi regime
to promote their Olympics. On the poster, you can see a clear Coca-Cola
trademark.
Despite this photo that many people use as proof, Coca-Cola never gave the
Nazi regime permission to use their logo, nor did they support the Nazi
Olympics. In fact, the German bottlers were unable to even obtain the materials
that are needed to even create the Coca-Cola drink. Because they were unable to
receive the ingredients and materials, German bottlers created their own
Coke-like soda. It was done in an effort to keep their soft drink industry
alive. There has been a lot of damage control over this rumor. It is a hurtful
rumor that leads many people to question the company values and beliefs that
Coca-Cola has always stood for.
Myth 6) Coca-Cola is
Trying to Create an Aphrodisiac by Adding MSG to Their Coke
A rumor that most people probably wish was true is that the Coca-Cola Company
started to add MSG to Coke in an effort to create an aphrodisiac.
Unfortunately, this myth has absolutely no merit to it. In fact, MSG isn’t even
an ingredient that is used in Coke. Even if MSG was added to Coke, there is no
scientific proof that states that an aphrodisiac would be created. It is a rumor
that was possibly started to explain why so many people continue to drink Coke’s
products, but no one knows for sure. Where this rumor started stumps even the
Coca-Cola Company, but they are more than willing to put an immediate end to it.
Coca-Cola has always been and continues to be a drink that the entire family
can enjoy. A rumor that implies that the company is making a favorite beverage
more adult friendly can cause alarm to parents with young children. It is a
rumor that the Coca-Cola Company has had to debunk several times and will
probably have to continue to debunk in the future.
Myth 5) Coca-Cola
Can Be Used as a Household Cleaner
One of the more silly rumors that have been circulated is that Coke can be used
as a household cleaner because of its acidic nature. According to the Coca-Cola
website, this myth states that Coke can be used to clean toilets, clean car
batteries, remove rust spots, and clean wind shields. Though the drink does have
acidic properties, it is not enough to counteract the other ingredients and
serve as a proper cleaning agent. The acid that can be found in Coke is so
minimal that it would do more harm than good to try and use the beverage as a
household cleaning agent.
One thing that you have to remember about Coke is that it also contains
sugar. If you have ever tried cleaning with sugar-based products, you will know
that all you are left with is a sticky mess that even the most powerful cleaning
products will have problems getting rid of. Just like it is not recommended for
you to try using Windex as a refreshing drink, you should also avoid trying to
use Coke as a cleaning solution. The only thing more laughable than this
particular rumor is imagining a person trying to scrub their toilets with a
toilet brush that had been dipped in a bucket of Coke.
Myth 4) Coca-Cola
Can Cause Cancer
Another rumor that the Coca-Cola Company has had to debunk is that Coke can
cause cancer. As the myth goes, drinking Coke will cause you to become
dehydrated, which in turn will cause you to develop cancer. Another form of this
myth is that the soda is made by using a type of radiation that is strong enough
to cause brain cancer in those that drink it. It is an untrue myth that has been
used to scare people into believing that their favorite soft drink will be the
death of them. This myth was very popular about ten years ago and caused
widespread panic amongst many of the uneducated consumers.
According to the Coca-Cola website, all beverages, including Coke, are a
source of water, and the majority of Americans meet their daily intake by
consuming a variety of beverages every day. While there have been concerns that
caffeine can cause a diuretic effect, research has shown that this effect is
temporary. There is no scientific proof that currently states that Coke will
lead to cancer in any way, shape, or form. Like most of the myths that you hear
about the Coca-Cola products, you really have to use your common sense when
deciding what you should believe about a company.
Myth 3) A Delhi
University Student Died While Chugging Coca-Cola
Another unsettling myth that was circulated for a while is that a New Delhi
student died after drinking eight bottles of Coke too quickly. According to the
myth, there were large traces of CO2 found in his blood, which indicated that
drinking Coke was the cause of his death. It is a rumor that has had many
variations, and, unfortunately, it continues to cause alarm. The thought of a
favorite drink being the cause of death for you or someone you know is
understandably concerning.
Fortunately there is absolutely no truth to this myth. In fact, when carbon
dioxide is mixed with water, it is no longer harmful to ingest. So even if you
drank twenty gallons of Coke, you wouldn’t die from the CO2 that the drink
contains. The carbon dioxide that is used in Coke has been reviewed and
monitored, and it has been found to be safe. There are no effects to either
gastrointestinal health or health in general. If there were any dangers to
gastrointestinal health, Coca-Cola would probably be the first to address them.
Myth 2) Coca-Cola
Will Cause Kidney Failure
The myth that Coke can cause kidney failure is one that has scared many people
into not drinking it. The myth started when it was reported that a young mother
died from consuming too much Coke. According to the Coca-Cola website, these
reports have been looked into and declared false. Additionally, Coke will not
cause you to develop kidney stones. Deteriorating kidney health is largely
caused by an inadequate amount of fluids. Drinks, such as Coke, will actually
help you to consume your daily requirement of fluids. This is just another rumor
that has caused fear in many consumers and has kept them from enjoying a
refreshing drink. While Coca-Cola does encourage restraint, the company insists
that all of the ingredients that are used to make the drink are wholesome and
will not cause harm to anyone.
At the end of the day, it is a consumer’s responsibility to promote their
health. Coca-Cola has done their part by creating a product that is safe,
enjoyable, and easily accessible. If you are worried about kidney failure or
kidney stones, you should talk to your doctor about your concerns. He or she
will probably agree that moderation is key, but enjoying a Coke will not cause
you any harm whatsoever.
Myth 1) Anti-Muslim
Messages Appear in Coca-Cola Graphics
Unfortunately, a myth has lead many people to believe that Coca-Cola is an
anti-Muslim company. According to the myth, the Coca-Cola trademark can be
translated to an anti-Muslim phrase. There is absolutely no truth to this rumor.
The trademark that has been used by Coca-Cola for years was created in Atlanta,
Georgia, in 1886. At this particular time, there was very little that was
actually known or shared about the Muslim religion in the Western world, so the
chance of the trademark being designed to insult Islam is highly unlikely.
This particular myth has been brought before several different Arabic clerics
that have researched it thoroughly. In 1990, a committee declared that there is
absolutely no basis to this rumor. It is these types of rumors that only serve
to segregate people and create hate. Coca-Cola strongly denies rumors that claim
that they are a hateful company. The company has always been one that has
encouraged and accepted the different cultures, lifestyles, and beliefs that
differentiate people from all over the world.
Conclusion
Many of the rumors that have been created about the Coca-Cola Company are
baseless and have absolutely no merit. Some of the rumors have actually caused
others to avoid drinking Coca-Cola products and have been used as a sort of
scare tactic. Fortunately, the company continues to sell their products and goes
about their business with their head held high. The company has created a
product that they feel they can be proud of. All of the rumors and myths in the
world cannot deter a company with such determination. One of the interesting
things about the rumors that claim that Coca-Cola would allow the production and
distribution of harmful products is that the company has always had a history of
philanthropy. It makes you wonder why such baseless rumors would be started and
why anyone would consider passing those rumors on. In most cases, applying a
little bit of common sense will allow you to decide whether you are reading a
myth or an actual fact about any company. You should also keep in mind that no
company is perfect. It is through trial and error that they can learn and grow.
It is the way that they handle their failures and the quality that they strive
to deliver that really matter. The internet has allowed more ways to share these
rumors and myths that can ultimately bring harm to a company. It is important
that you remember this the next time that you want to share a popular myth that
you hear from your family and friends.
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