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Starting November 1st, Coca-Cola is temporarily reversing the color of their cans. The white can shown below is part of their new campaign to help protect the arctic habitat of their winter mascot, the polar bear.

The world’s largest beverage company will initially donate $2 million to the campaign. It will then match up to a million dollars that Coke drinkers are expected to donate through text messaging.

The Coca-Cola Foundation has donated more than $451 million in support of community initiatives worldwide. Just this last Tuesday, the company donated more than $1 million USD toward relief efforts in eastern Turkey after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the area Sunday. The very next day they pledged $500,000 to the Atlanta Women’s Foundation to support economic empowerment initiatives impacting Atlanta’s women and girls.

Nicola Kettlitz, president of Coca-Cola Ltd., said “We’ve done this for many years and it’s a part of who we are. We understand that without sustainable communities, we really do not have a business. It cannot just be greenwashing, We need to do it (action to protect the environment) and then maybe say it, but to do it is an important aspect.”

Coke hopes that since the arctic is warming, and two-thirds of all polar bears now live in Canada, that their funds will help scientists to understand what the environment will be like in the future so we aren’t rushing last minute to protect the animals. They also hope the money will help protect the communities affected.

“Fluid extract of coca,” citric acid, caffeine, sugar, water, lime juice, vanilla, and caramel are among Coke’s ingredients according to their secret recipe published inside of a 1979 issue of the Atlantic Journal-Constitution found by This American Life.

More surprising ingredients include alcohol, orange oil, lemon oil, nutmeg oil, coriander, neroli, and cinnamon (known as “Merchandise 7X”) is what gives the extremely popular drink it’s signature flavor, smell, and probably overall charm. 

We all know that one of Coke’s major missions is to inspire moments of happiness, and Dr. Allan Hirsch whos latest study showed that smells that turn women on vary by where you live (coffee in NYC, grass in Minnesota) explained that some of the ingredients can in fact affect your emotions.

Vanilla and caramel, he says, make us feel secure and comfortable, while orange and lemon oils as well as cinnamon, make us feel awake. “So when you look at the combination of scents involved in [Coke], they induce some people to feel safe and secure, but also some people to be awake and alert.” Dr. Hirso tells MyDaily, “All this may contribute to Coca-Cola’s popularity.”

Because of Coke’s rich history, Hirsch speculates that our feelings toward the drink could relate to our own memories - each time you drink it, it reminds you of the first time you popped the tab and took that first sip. “When you drink it in certain situations or with family or whatever, it makes you feel happy or more comfortable.”

But more surprisingly, there is one specific documented effect that Cola-like smells have on men. “We researched the ‘cola’ smell and it had the greated effect on penile blood flow in those who have frequent sexual intercourse.” He continues, “While lavender and pumpkin pie had the greatest effect on [arousal], the smell of cola during sexual intercourse has an even greater effect.”