Latest news with #BrunoVenditti
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
How Coca-Cola's Secret Formula Has Changed Over Time
Coca-Cola debuted in 1886 as a pharmacy fountain drink. Its original syrup drew on coca leaves and kola nuts for stimulation and flavor. Over time, the recipe changed alongside regulations, technology, and tastes. In the following chart, Visual Capitalist's Bruno Venditti pairs a quick dataset with context on how ingredients and nutrition have evolved. Early formulas included coca leaf extract, and small amounts of cocaine remained until the early 1900s. By 1903, the drug was removed amid changing laws and public health concerns. Coca-leaf flavoring persisted in 'decocainized' form, prepared under license in the U.S. by a facility now operated by Stepan Company. These shifts preserved the brand's flavor profile while complying with evolving regulation. In the U.S., Coca-Cola transitioned from cane sugar to high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) during the 1980s, with reporting in 1984 noting the move across major soda brands. Cost and supply dynamics favored corn syrup at the time. Not every market followed: in the U.K., for instance, Coca-Cola Original lists 'sugar' rather than HFCS. This split explains why 'Mexican Coke' tastes different to some consumers. 'I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so… It's just better!' – Donald Trump U.S. Coke has six standard ingredients: carbonated water, HFCS, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine. A 20 fl oz (591 mL) bottle has ~240 calories, ~65 g added sugar, and ~75 mg sodium, though labels can vary. Because the 1886 recipe is proprietary and not publicly released, a direct comparison isn't possible. Following Trump's push, Coca-Cola has announced it will launch a new product sweetened with U.S.-produced cane sugar next fall.
Gulf Insider
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
These Are The Countries With The Most Nuclear Weapons
As of 2024, nine countries possess all of the world's 12,000 nuclear warheads. This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Bruno Venditti, visualizes the world's nuclear powers based on data from the Federation of American Scientists. The exact number of nuclear weapons each country possesses is a closely guarded national secret, so the estimates presented here come with significant uncertainty. Despite reductions since the Cold War, the global nuclear arsenal remains significant. The U.S. and Russia together hold around 88% of the world's nuclear weapons and 84% of the warheads ready for military use. Combined, both countries have over 10,000 warheads. A 2018 study suggests that 100 nuclear weapons would be the 'pragmatic limit' for any country's arsenal. While the U.S. has been reducing its nuclear arsenal, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea are increasing their warhead stockpiles. Of the warheads in military stockpiles, approximately 3,904 are deployed with operational forces (on missiles or bomber bases). Among those, about 2,100 U.S., Russian, British, and French warheads are on high alert, ready for use on short notice. President Trump has threatened to breach the NATO treaty and send U.S. military support only to allies who contribute what he deems a fair share of their national GDPs to defense spending. Even without the U.S., France and the UK provide NATO with the third-largest nuclear arsenal, maintaining the alliance's strategic deterrent capabilities. Despite the world's continued ability to cause mass destruction, nuclear weapon stockpiles have significantly declined over the last few decades. Since the Cold War, global arsenals have decreased from a peak of approximately 70,300 warheads in 1986 to an estimated 12,331 at the beginning of 2025.
Gulf Insider
20-02-2025
- General
- Gulf Insider
Charting America's Single Mothers By Ethnicity
There are 7.3 million single mothers in the U.S., as well as 1.9 million single fathers. Single parents often face the dual challenge of being both the primary breadwinners and caregivers for their families. This graphic, via Visual Capitalist's Bruno Venditti, represents the percentage of mothers in the U.S. who are single, by race/ethnicity, in 2023. The data comes from the Center for American Progress. In 2023, single-mother families accounted for 1 in 5 families with children under 18. 47% of Black mothers were single mothers. of Black mothers were single mothers. 25% of Hispanic mothers were single mothers. The majority of single mothers are in their 30s or 40s and do not have a college degree. Overall, single mothers face a 28% poverty rate. According to the Center for American Progress, family structures in the U.S. have changed significantly over the past five decades. In 1970, 67% of adults (ages 25 to 49) lived with a spouse and at least one child. By 2021, that number had dropped to 37%. Marriage rates have also declined: In 1970, 69% of adults were married, compared to 50% in 2021. Meanwhile, the percentage of adults who have never been married rose from 17% to 31% over the same period. If you enjoyed this topic, check out this graphic that shows the distribution of wealth in the United States from 1990 to 2023 by generation. Also Read: Kuwait Witnesses 11.8 % Increase in Elderly People
