cola
Beverages
Is cola high in sulfites?
Is cola high or low in sulfites? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
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Compare cola across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why sulfites food checker matters
Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
- Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
- Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
- Check medication labels - some contain sulfites
- Look for 'contains sulfites' on labels (required above 10ppm)
Sensitivities
What cola contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where cola fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about cola
Cola stacks up three things that bother sensitive people at once: caffeine (about 34 mg in a 12 oz can), phosphoric acid that gives it a tooth-eroding pH near 2.5, and a large dose of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. That combination is why cola is a classic driver of reflux and of the caffeine-withdrawal "cola headache," and the sugar load makes it pro-inflammatory and poor for SIBO. It is clean on histamine, gluten and lactose, so the issue is the caffeine-plus-acid-plus-sugar package, not a food-chemistry trigger.
Watch for
- Moderate caffeine, enough to feed a dependence and to cause a rebound headache when you skip your usual can, which is the real "cola headache"
- Phosphoric acid gives cola a very low pH (around 2.5), a common reflux and heartburn trigger and hard on tooth enamel, made worse by the carbonation
- High in sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, so it rates pro-inflammatory, poor for SIBO, and carries moderate excess-fructose and polyol loads from the sweeteners
- Diet colas drop the sugar but keep the caffeine and phosphoric acid, so they still hit the reflux and headache angles
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Sulfites Guide
Everything you need to know about sulfites sensitivity and smart food choices.
Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, dried fruits, and processed foods. They can trigger asthma symptoms, headaches, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Sulfites sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in sulfites and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Sulfites, consider these strategies:
- 1Dried fruits are often high in sulfites unless labeled 'unsulfured'
- 2Wine, especially white, commonly contains sulfites
- 3Fresh foods are naturally sulfite-free
- 4Check medication labels - some contain sulfites
- 5Look for 'contains sulfites' on labels (required above 10ppm)
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
Want personalized tracking?
Download Triggerbites to log meals, track symptoms, and discover your unique triggers.
Get the AppFAQ
Is cola high in Sulfites?
Sulfites: moderate signal - portion size matters.
Can I still eat cola if I'm sensitive to Sulfites?
Try smaller portions and space it out.
What else should I check?
Check Acidic Foods, Inflammation, and AIP next for a fuller picture.