What Coke does to you... and it ain't pretty...

Last week The Renegade Pharmacist published an infographic on what a can of Coke does to you after just one hour.  It is stunning to think what your body goes through from drinking just ONE can of Coke.  Well this week The Renegade Pharmacist is back with the effects of drinking a DIET COKE.  So, just in case you missed it, here are both.

What happens one hour after drinking a can of Coke (The Renegade Pharmacist).

1.  First 10 minutes.
10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system (100% of your recommended daily intake).  You don't immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.

2.  20 minutes.
Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst.  Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat.  (There's plenty of that at this particular moment).

3.  40 minutes.
Caffeine absorption is complete.  Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, as a response your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream.  The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked preventing drowsiness.

4.  45 minutes.
Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain.  This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.

5.  60 minutes.
The phosphoric acid binds calcium magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism.  This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.

6. 60 minutes.
The caffeine's properties come into play.  (It makes you have to pee).  It is now assured that you'll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolyte and water.

7. 60 minutes.
As the rave inside of you dies down you'll start to have a sugar crash.  You may become irritable and/or sluggish.  You've also now, literally, pissed away all the water that was in the Coke.  But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients you body could have used for things like even having the ability to hydrate your system or build strong bones and teeth.

Now this is me... Lucy Carr... we all know that drinking regular soda is full of sugar and is bad for us but people still drink vast amounts.  After reading this, will you be switching to Diet Coke?

Probably not, because as I said before, The Renegade Pharmacist has, this week, published the effects of drinking Diet Coke and here it is, in his own words.

What happens one hour after drinking a can of Diet Coke (The Renegade Pharmacist).

1.  First 10 minutes.
TRICKS YOUR TASTE BUDS & ATTACKS YOUR TEETH
The phosphoric acid attacks the enamel in your teeth, while the artificial sweeteners like aspartame hit your system.  Aspartame may trigger taste receptors and trick your body into thinking it has just processed sugar.

2.  20 minutes.
CAN SWITCH ON FAT STORAGE MODE
Like regular Coke this can trigger insulin, which sends your body into fat storage mode.

Data from a number of studies, including the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study also reported greater risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Also some data indicates those who consume artificially sweetened beverages double the risk of metabolic syndrome which is related to diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

3.  40 minutes.
CAN CAUSE ADDICTION
The potentially deadly combination of caffeine and aspartame creates a short addictive high similar in the way cocaine works.  Excitotoxins are released which may exhaust your brain by overstimulating it's neuroreceptors, especially if consumed on a regular basis.

4.  60 minutes and beyond
CAN DEPLETE NUTRIENTS, MAKE YOU HUNGRY & THIRSTY FOR MORE
Unlike the small amount of satisfaction you get from regular coke, your body may still crave sweets.  This makes you likely to reach for another soda, or worse, some other junk food you consider to be safe and the cycle continues.

A can of diet coke provides no nourishment and would replace a more nutritious drink you could have drunk while potentially depleting your body of essential minerals.

It will never quench your thirst as it dehydrates rather than hydrates your body.  A lack of vital water can lead to brain fog, poor concentration, fatigue and feeling irritable.

Now, back to me, Lucy Carr.  I was so horrified of the possible side effects of aspartame consumption that I quit Diet Coke in September 2013 and I haven't had a soda, regular or diet since - that's almost 2 years and yes, I feel so much better for it and I don't have a problem controlling my weight anymore.

So, as always, I hope this information will help you make an informed decision about improving your health.

For more information you can also read:

Just How Dangerous are Diet Sodas?
How money can buy what it wants and what that can mean to your health.

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com