Is cola bad for acne?
Regular cola scores 13, one of the lowest results we measured. A 500 ml bottle has 54 g of sugar and nothing else your body needs. Fast sugar in large amounts is linked to more acne. Cola zero scores 30: no sugar, but still a highly processed drink.
Cola500 ml · 200 kcal
130 g protein · 54 g carbs · 0 g fat per serving
What the scan likes
- It provides quick energy due to its high sugar content.
What pulls the score down
- Regular cola is high in calories and sugar (54g per 500ml), offering little nutritional value.
- Frequent consumption can contribute to weight gain and negatively impact metabolic health.
- The high sugar content can contribute to skin issues and may cause bloating for some individuals.
Better swap
30
Cola zero+17 points · Clear skin 30
Sources
- A low-glycemic-load diet improves symptoms in acne vulgaris patientsSmith RN et al., Am J Clin Nutr (2007)
- Acne and your dietAmerican Academy of Dermatology
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Scanned with the Clear Food app on 29 September 2026. Values are estimates. Not medical advice.