A moment on the lips, 30 minutes on the hips: The Coca-Cola calculator that reveals how long it takes to burn off the calories in just ONE CAN

Just enjoyed a 'Diet Coke' break? You'll be pleased to hear that you won't need to do any exercise to work off that fizzy drink.  However, according to a newly launched exercise calculator you'll need to go for a half-hour brisk walk if you want to work off the calories from a standard 330ml can. The Work It Out Calculator has been launched by the Coca-Cola company and matches all of its popular drinks with how long it would take to burn the calories off through various forms of exercise. So while a 144 calorie can of Sprite could be worked off in an 18 minute Zumba class, it would take 47 minutes of ballroom dancing, or - if you could face it - 73 minutes of ironing.

Helpful advice or cynical PR ploy? The Coca-Cola calculator lists calories but not the sugar content of each drink

It reveals that 'healthier' vitamin drinks such as Glaceau Vitamin Water Essential would still require a 13minute cycle ride or vacuuming for 19 minutes. But if household chores fill you with dread, Coca-Cola reminds readers that: 'Great music can put the fun into vacuuming. Crank up a fast-paced tune and burn some calories while you clean!' The calculator also doesn't mention just how much sugar is in it's 'full-fat products'.  A can of coke contains 39g or nine teaspoons of sugar, which is close to half of a woman's recommended daily allowance of 90g. It also contains a surprising 1.25g of salt out of an RDA of 6g.

TOP 10 WAYS TO WORK OFF A CAN OF COKE (330ML)

ACTIVITY	TIME
SQUASH	11 MINUTES
SPINNING CLASS	14 MINUTES
JOGGING	17 MINUTES
CLIMBING STAIRS	19 MINUTES
MOWING THE LAWN	21 MINUTES
WALKING	30 MINUTES
YOGA CLASS	32 MINUTES
TABLE TENNIS	34 MINUTES
BALLROOM DANCING	45 MINUTES
VACUUMING	70 MINUTES

A can of Diet Coke contains 0.5 calories so doesn't require exercise to work off, however normal Coca-Cola is a different matter (see table above right) 

The company launched the calculator after it commissioned a survey that revealed over a third of Britons admit they don't have the time to be as active as they like, with motivation (32 per cent) cited as a key barrier.

Coca-Cola GB said: 'We want to help people understand how they can enjoy our drinks as part of a healthful balanced diet, whilst communicating the importance of an active lifestyle.'

The move will be seen by many as a cynical PR stunt to promote Coca-Cola as a healthy-brand.  However, many will doubtless be keen to learn how much jogging they need to do tonight after downing a can of Fanta (12 minutes, in case you're wondering). The company has faced criticism in the past for not responding to health concerns. In June, UK campaigners called for a ban on a colouring linked to cancer, which has been found in Coca-Cola sold in Britain.

Glaceau Vitamin Water can be worked off doing chores

Coca-Cola has recently switched to a new manufacturing process in America to bring down the level of the chemical, 4-methylimidazole (4-MI), which gives coke its distinctive colour. But this precaution has not yet been taken in other countries such as Britain, where product sales top £1.1billion a year. Health authorities in California are so concerned that they have passed a law that requires any can of drink containing a 4-MI reading of 30mcg or more to carry a health warning. If this safety assessment was applied in Britain, all cans of Coke would have to carry a warning. Coca-Cola strenuously denies there is any human health risk from 4-MI.

 Source: Daily Mail UK 

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