Is Coke good for cycling?

This question is about Nutrition and Cycling

Sarah Achleithner

No, Coke is not a good option for cycling during a ride or off the bike. While glucose is an important fuel source for endurance activity, Coke is void of electrolytes, acidic and carbonated, which may lead to irritation and discomfort when cycling.

Off the bike, research shows that those who consume large amounts of soft drinks such as Coke also tend to eat lower amounts of healthful foods (such as dairy products, fruits, and vegetables) and have a higher intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar, all of which can lead to a decrease in cycling performance [

1

]. Studies have also found a positive correlation between high consumption of soft drinks and bone fracture risk, which obviously impacts cycling performance [

2

].

4 bottles of coke on a marble table

[1] Vartanian, L. R., Schwartz, M. B., & Brownell, K. D. (2007). Effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American journal of public health, 97(4), 667–675.

https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2005.083782

[2] Chen, L., Liu, R., Zhao, Y., & Shi, Z. (2020). High Consumption of Soft Drinks Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Fracture: A 7-Year Follow-Up Study. Nutrients, 12(2), 530.

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020530

 

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