Soft drinks significantly contribute to health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental cavities. But have you ever wondered exactly what these beverages do to your body after consumption?
There are approximately 10 teaspoons of added sugar in a single can of cola (330ml). The World Health Organization recommends not to consume more than 6 teaspoons of sugar daily, which means that just one can of soda takes us well beyond this limit.
Therefore, it is not surprising that sweet beverages are associated with a range of health conditions. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, individuals who drink 1 to 2 cans of sweet beverages daily have a 26% higher likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, and Medical News Today reported 184,000 deaths annually due to these drinks.
Coca-Cola is comparable to heroin in the way it stimulates the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. According to pharmacist Niraj Naik, the intense sweetness of Cola, due to its high sugar content, should make us vomit as soon as it enters our body. However, the phosphoric acid in the drink reduces the sweetness, allowing us to keep it in our system.
Sugar levels in the blood rise dramatically within 20 minutes of consuming these drinks, Naik explains, causing an insulin spike. The liver then converts the large amounts of sugar circulating in our body into fat.
Within 40 minutes, the body has absorbed all the caffeine from the Cola, causing pupil dilation and increased blood pressure. By this point, the adenosine receptors in the brain have been blocked, preventing fatigue.
Five minutes later, dopamine production increases. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control pleasure and reward centers in the brain. According to infographic data, the way Coca-Cola stimulates these centers is comparable to heroin, making us crave another sip.
An hour after consuming a glass of soda, sugar levels drop, causing irritability and drowsiness. Additionally, the water in the soda will be eliminated from the body through urination, along with important nutrients for health.
These effects are not limited to Coca-Cola but apply to all sweet, carbonated, alcoholic, and caffeinated beverages.
When consumed regularly, these drinks can lead to increased blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. However, a small amount occasionally will not cause harm; moderation is key, writes pharmacist Naik on his blog.
In a press statement, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola states that the beverage is perfectly safe to drink and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle—you just have to ignore the 10 teaspoons of sugar in a glass!
