Why is Coca-Cola so Popular?
At the US Professional Cycling Championships, Coca-Cola was the preferred “sport drink” for the final stages of the race. Although conventional scientific wisdom might not support this practice, data from our survey documents that consumption of Coca-Cola by professional road cyclists remains pervasive. It is possible the taste, the availability and the caffeine content contribute to the popularity of this drink for endurance athletes. However, it should be noted that thus far researchers have not been able to document that the caffeine content ( Perkins and Williams 1975 ) or that the carbonation associated with Coca-Cola ( Zachwieja, et al. 1992 ) provides an ergogenic effect. Of particular concern is the relatively high carbohydrate content of most cola drinks which may decrease gastric emptying ( VanHandel, et al. 1977 ). Further research is required to see how much Coca-Cola is used as a sport drink by other top endurance athletes. But more important, any ergogenic effect of Coca-
