The rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi has been bubbling for generations, and a person's preference for one soda over the other likely involves a combination of factors.The differences in the two sodas' ingredients could help reveal why some consumers prefer Coke to Pepsi, or vice versa, according to The Takeout.The outlet reported that Coca-Cola and Pepsi differ somewhat in their formulations.
Pepsi contains citric acid, which Coca-Cola does not, and slightly more sugar per 12-ounce serving — about 41 grams to Coke's 39."Few consumer products have been part of culture for as long as cola," PepsiCo told Fox News Digital.Fox News Digital also reached out to Coca-Cola for comment. OLD-SCHOOL SODA WENT FROM BEING A TOP BRAND TO NEARLY UNFINDABLE"People have known these brands for years, share them at meals and celebrations, and have developed strong personal connections along the way," PepsiCo added."Combine that history with genuine differences in taste, and it's easy to see why the Pepsi-versus-Coke debate still inspires such strong opinions today."A report by trade publication Beverage Digest revealed that Classic Coke was the top-selling soda in the U.S.
in 2025, accounting for 18.5% of carbonated soft drink sales volume, while Dr Pepper held onto second place with an 8.8% share, reported the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.Americans’ loyalty to Coke or Pepsi may be driven by more than taste alone, with experts pointing to branding, memories and cultural associations as factors.(iStock)Pepsi climbed back into third at 8.1% after falling to fourth behind Sprite in 2024.
Pepsi ranked second in 2022 and third in 2023, when Dr Pepper edged past it by a fraction of a point.Sales don't necessarily reflect taste preference, however.A team of researchers from Baylor College of Medicine studied the Coke and Pepsi preferences of 67 people back in 2004.The scientists gave participants blind taste tests, then scanned their brains during tastings that involved cues such ...