What is the pH of Coca-Cola?
The pH of Coca-Cola is generally reported to be between 2.5 and 2.7. This highly acidic nature is primarily due to the presence of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄).
The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral; anything below 7 is acidic, and anything above 7 is basic (or alkaline). Coca-Cola's pH falls squarely within the acidic range. Various studies and reports have provided slightly different pH measurements, but they consistently place it within the 2.5 to 2.7 range.
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Study Findings: Different studies have reported slightly varying pH levels for Coca-Cola, ranging from 2.32 (in one study comparing it to other beverages) to 2.56 (in another independent research). A commonly cited value is 2.5. This minor variation can be attributed to differences in measurement techniques, Coca-Cola variations across regions, or the age of the product being tested.
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Main Contributor to Acidity: The primary reason for Coca-Cola's low pH is the phosphoric acid it contains. Phosphoric acid is a strong acid that contributes significantly to the beverage's tart taste.
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Comparison to Other Beverages: Coca-Cola's acidity surpasses that of many other carbonated and fruit drinks. For example, one study showed Coca-Cola Classic having a lower pH than RC Cola.
Sources & Further Reading:
- Several sources confirm Coca-Cola's acidic nature: https://edu.rsc.org/soundbite/coca-cola/2021233.article
- A study highlights Coca-Cola's pH in relation to nutrient absorption: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7486898/
- Other research papers and online resources have also analyzed the pH of various beverages including Coca-Cola.
