Royal Crown Cola, often referred to as just RC Cola, is a popular cola soft drink that has been around since the early 1900s. With its distinct bold taste, Royal Crown has become one of the top cola brands, competing with other major players like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. As more people pay attention to their nutrition and diet, a common question arises: does Royal Crown Cola have carbs?
The short answer is yes, Royal Crown Cola does contain carbohydrates. Like most soft drinks, Royal Crown gets its sweetness primarily from added sugars. The main sweetener used in Royal Crown is high fructose corn syrup, which is a carbohydrate. A 12-ounce can of Royal Crown Cola contains about 39 grams of total carbohydrates.
Nutrition Facts for Royal Crown Cola
Below is a table showing the nutrition facts for a 12-ounce can of Royal Crown Cola, according to information provided on the company’s website:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Carbohydrates | 39g |
| Sugars | 38g |
| Protein | 0g |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 27mg |
| Caffeine | 34mg |
As you can see, a 12-ounce can of Royal Crown Cola contains 39 grams of total carbohydrates. The majority of those carbs come from added sugars, with 38 grams of sugars per can. So the carbohydrate content comes directly from the use of sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup.
Royal Crown Cola Ingredients
To better understand the carb content in Royal Crown Cola, let’s take a look at the ingredients:
– Carbonated water
– High fructose corn syrup
– Caramel color
– Phosphoric acid
– Natural and artificial flavors
– Caffeine
The main ingredient providing carbohydrates in Royal Crown Cola is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). HFCS is added as a sweetener and is glucose and fructose obtained from corn starch. HFCS is commonly used in processed foods and drinks as a sweetener and preservative.
A 12-ounce can of Royal Crown Cola contains about 38 grams of HFCS. Since HFCS is a carbohydrate, the 38 grams of HFCS directly contribute to the total carbohydrate content in Royal Crown.
The other ingredients in Royal Crown Cola, like carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, and natural flavors, do not contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. So the HFCS is responsible for nearly all the carbs in Royal Crown Cola.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrup is made up of either 42% or 55% fructose, with the remaining sugars being primarily glucose. HFCS is similar in composition to table sugar (sucrose), which is 50% fructose and 50% glucose.
HFCS has been widely adopted by the food and beverage industry because it is inexpensive, easy to use, and extends shelf life. However, there are some health concerns over the widespread use of HFCS.
Since fructose goes straight to the liver and does not stimulate insulin secretion like glucose, there are worries that overconsumption of HFCS could promote metabolic disease. Still, in moderation, HFCS is fine as part of an overall healthy diet.
But with 39g of total carbs and 38g of added sugars, drinking a 12oz can of Royal Crown Cola is equivalent to consuming 9.5 teaspoons of added sugar. This is almost half the recommended daily limit for added sugars for adult women (25g or 6 teaspoons).
So while the HFCS in Royal Crown Cola contributes to its great taste, it also makes it a high carb, high sugar beverage lacking nutrients.
Royal Crown Cola Versus Other Soft Drinks
How does Royal Crown Cola compare to other popular soft drinks in terms of carb and sugar content? Here is a quick comparison:
Coca-Cola (12 fl oz)
Total carbs: 39g
Sugars: 39g
Pepsi (12 fl oz)
Total carbs: 41g
Sugars: 41g
Royal Crown Cola (12 fl oz)
Total carbs: 39g
Sugars: 38g
Sprite (12 fl oz)
Total carbs: 38g
Sugars: 38g
As you can see, the carb and sugar content of Royal Crown is very similar to other cola competitors like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The amount of carbs and sugars are also comparable to lemon-lime sodas like Sprite.
So Royal Crown provides no significant advantage when it comes to carbohydrate content – it is still a high sugar, high carb soda like other soft drinks. The bold, distinct taste of Royal Crown comes from its unique blend of flavors and carbonation – not from having fewer carbs or sugars.
Diet Royal Crown
For those watching their carb and sugar intake, Diet Royal Crown provides an alternative. Here are the nutrition facts for Diet RC Cola:
Diet Royal Crown (12 fl oz)
Total carbs: 0g
Sugars: 0g
As you can see, the diet version contains no carbohydrates or sugars. It achieves the same taste by using artificial sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame potassium instead of high fructose corn syrup.
So diet sodas like Diet RC Cola allow you to enjoy the refreshing cola taste without any carb or sugar impact. However, there are some health concerns over the consumption of artificial sweeteners as well. Moderation is key, even when it comes to diet drinks.
Health Impact of Regular Royal Crown
While the sugars in Royal Crown Cola can fit into a balanced diet, regularly drinking full-sugar sodas like RC can negatively impact your health:
Weight gain – The added sugars in Royal Crown provide empty calories and added sugar intake is linked to obesity. The 38g from a single can is already almost half the recommended daily amount for women.
Blood sugar spikes – The high amounts of rapidly digesting simple sugars lead to spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. This can be problematic for diabetics or prediabetics.
Tooth decay – Like other sugary sodas, the high sugar content can lead to cavities and dental issues.
Nutrient displacement – Drinking high calorie sodas like Royal Crown can displace healthier beverage options like water or milk in the diet.
So while an occasional Royal Crown with a meal may not be an issue, regularly drinking it in large amounts can negatively impact your overall nutrition and health. Moderation is key.
Benefits of Reducing Regular Soda Intake
Here are some benefits that you may obtain by reducing your intake of full-sugar sodas like Royal Crown Cola:
– Weight loss or maintenance – eliminating empty liquid calories
– Improved blood sugar regulation – less spikes and crashes
– Healthier dental hygiene – less cavity risk
– Increased nutrient intake – get more vitamins/minerals from other foods/drinks
– Reduced risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease
– More money saved – soda purchases can add up
Even just gradually cutting back on sugary soda intake can provide health advantages. Consider substituting in more water, unsweetened tea, coffee, sparkling water, or low-sugar drinks instead.
Conclusion
So does Royal Crown Cola have carbs? The answer is a definitive yes. A 12-ounce can of Royal Crown Cola contains about 39 grams of total carbohydrates, coming almost entirely from added high fructose corn syrup.
At nearly 40 grams of carbs and 38 grams of sugars per can, Royal Crown Cola provides a significant amount of empty calories, but no beneficial nutrients. While an occasional RC Cola won’t hurt, regularly drinking full-sugar soda can negatively impact your health and waistline.
If trying to watch your carb and sugar intake, be mindful of your Royal Crown consumption. Consider the Diet RC option or gradually reducing your intake of regular RC Cola and other sugary sodas. Your body and teeth will thank you.
But when you do crave that nostalgic cola taste, you can enjoy a Royal Crown or two knowing its carb content. Just be sure to savor the experience in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
