20/08/2026
What if marketing described Coca-Cola by what it actually is instead of how it makes you feel?
If marketing was truly honest, Part 6: Coca-Cola.
A refreshing, iconic beverage.
Or, if we stripped away the branding:
Carbonated water.
Added sugar.
Caramel colour.
Phosphoric acid.
Natural flavours.
Caffeine.
Depending on the market, Coca-Cola Original is sweetened with different forms of sugar. In the U.S., the ingredient list includes high-fructose corn syrup. In Canada, Coca-Cola Original Taste currently lists sugar/glucose-fructose.
And here's the part the marketing probably wouldn't put on the front of the can:
Frequently consuming sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with health concerns including type 2 diabetes, while acidic soft drinks can contribute to dental erosion.
That's the point of this series.
Marketing isn't necessarily lying.
It's selecting which part of the truth you see first.
Coca-Cola sells refreshment, happiness, nostalgia and connection.
It doesn't lead with the ingredient list.
And that's exactly why marketing works.