Whether you prefer to call it “cola,” “pop,” or “soda,” Coca-Cola is undeniably one of the most popular cola brands in existence, with millions of people around the world consuming Coke products every day. While a cold can of the iconic Coca-Cola may seem like a refreshing and satisfying beverage, have you ever wondered what happens to your body when you drink a Coke, and drinking Coke is bad for you?
On the one hand, this drink’s more than 130-year legacy has made possible its reputation as the epitome of crisp, cold, satisfying sodas, and when you have a craving for Coca-Cola’s effervescent taste, resistance is sometimes futile. . On the other hand, colas are notoriously high in sugar and also lack other critical nutrients that help your body thrive, making it an unhealthy beverage choice.
To help us get to the bottom of this dilemma and explore the possible effects of Coca-Cola on your body, we’ve done more research with health care experts. Read on to find out how regularly drinking Coke can potentially affect your health in the short and long term, and for more on the health impact of another common fizzy beer, be sure to check out Carbonated Water Is Bad For You. you? 8 side effects of drinking it.
A standard 12-ounce can of regular-flavored Coke contains nearly 39 grams of sugar, which is also about 77 percent of the recommended daily limit. That said, a few sips can stimulate an intense sugar rush followed by a crash. A British pharmacist, Niraj Naik, has even gone so far as to compare the effects drinking a sugary Coke can have on the body with using heroin, according to a report in Medical News Today.
“Within 40 minutes, the body has absorbed all of the caffeine from the cola. This caffeine causes the pupils to dilate and blood pressure to rise. By this time, Coke has blocked adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing drowsiness.” reads the Medical News Today report, which describes Naik’s research. “Just 5 minutes later, dopamine production has increased. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. According to the infographic, the way Coke stimulates these centers is comparable to the effects of heroin “Triggers a person’s urge to drink another can. An hour after drinking the drink, a sugar crash will begin, causing irritability and drowsiness. The body will have eliminated the water from the cola, along with vital nutrients, in the urine.”
While comparing Coca-Cola consumption to heroin use and withdrawal is probably a bit extreme, what cannot be denied is that Coca-Cola’s high sugar content compared to its lack of nutrients can trigger sugar spikes (or even sudden spikes) and lows to some extent.
“Because soda lacks healthy fats, protein, and fiber, it doesn’t have much ‘lasting power,'” she explains. Lauren Manager, MS, RDNregistered dietitian and author of The first-time mom’s pregnancy cookbook AND Nurture male fertility. “This factor can lead to the sugar consumed in the soda immediately causing a blood sugar spike followed by a drop.”
At the same time, Manaker also notes that the sugar content of Coke can prove useful in some situations, particularly when someone’s blood sugar gets too low and they need to recharge as soon as possible.
“Coke may be a viable choice for people who have low blood sugar and need a quick boost to get their levels back into the normal range,” says Manaker.
According to the results presented in a 2010 Circulation study, there was a correlation between consuming sugary drinks and developing obesity and/or type 2 diabetes. That said, drinking a Coke could potentially increase your risk of developing these conditions, especially if you regularly drink Coke in excess.
“While having an occasional drink is unlikely to be linked to diabetes risk, consuming multiple servings each day may not be the best choice for those who are trying to reduce their risk,” says Manaker. “Observational data suggest that frequent consumption of sugary soda is linked to type 2 diabetes risk. However, it is still unclear whether it is the actual soda that contributes to this risk or whether it is the overall diet and lifestyle practiced. by those who tend to drink a lot of soda.”
RELATED: The Ultimate List of the Best Drinks for Diabetes
Coca Cola’s rich mahogany color is almost as evocative as the brand name itself, often eliciting thirst-quenching nostalgia for many. But this brown hue can also potentially lead to yellowish-rotten teeth in the long run.
According to International Journal of Dentistry, the darker the soda, the more likely it is to stain the surface of your teeth. Not to mention, its high sugar content can lead to dental erosion and tooth decay.
“Coke has a very acidic pH, which will lead to decalcification of tooth enamel if consumed in excess,” he explains Jack Hirschfeld, DDS, clinical instructor at the School of Dental Medicine at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. “Also, it’s very sugary and the bacteria in the mouth will act on the sugars which will also contribute to the acidity, leading to demineralization.”
Drinking the occasional Coke is one thing, but some studies suggest that drinking Coke regularly may actually shorten your potential lifespan. A study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine A follow-up of 450,000 Europeans over the course of 16 years revealed that those who frequently drank sugary and artificially sweetened sodas such as Coca-Cola (or even Diet Coke, which is sweetened with aspartame or Splenda) were 26% more likely to die prematurely.
According to a New York Times In the study’s editorial board, consuming large amounts of soda was also “associated with elevated risks of death from all causes.” Furthermore, the results of a study published in Circulation suggest that the inflammatory properties of sodas can potentially increase your risk of cardiovascular complications, increasing your risk of having a heart attack by 20% and that’s if you drink just one tiny 12oz can a day!
“Coke is made with added sugar and doesn’t provide fiber, protein or healthy fats, three nutrients that promote satiety,” says Manaker. “Consuming too much added sugar can contribute to weight gain.”
At 145 calories per can, the original-flavored Coca-Cola is also sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, a common ingredient used to sweeten drinks that a study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition linked to obesity.
Manaker notes that “Coke offers very little nutrition, but it is a liquid and therefore can help support a person’s hydration status.” While cokes can provide hydration to some extent, Manaker is also quick to point out that “there are many other beverage choices that are far better choices for people who want to stay hydrated.”
“For generally healthy people, Coca-Cola should be considered a ‘treat’ and should be reserved for enjoying occasionally, if at all,” advises Manaker. “The amount people can consume depends on how many other sources of added sugar the person is consuming, as we should aim to consume lower amounts of this ingredient.
“I wouldn’t advise people to go out of their way to consume regular Coke,” Manaker continues. “But if a person absolutely loves this drink, enjoying it in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet is probably okay for most people.”
“Thankfully, there are better-for-you options out there for Coke lovers that have far less added sugar and are made without artificial colors or flavors,” says Manaker. “Options like OLIPOP Vintage Cola offer an eerily similar flavor to classic sodas but with a fraction of the added sugars, zero artificial ingredients and 9 grams of fiber to support gut health.”
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