What happens to our body after drinking a can of Coca Cola? A study revealed it through an infographic: the answer will blow your mind.
Invented in 1886 by the American pharmacist John Stith Pemberton, Coca Cola is the best-selling and most popular drink in the world. The drink was born as a medicine to combat headaches and fatigue, taking inspiration from the so-called “coca wine” and replacing alcohol with cola nuts. The international distribution of the drink began in 1919 and, in just a few years, it conquered the whole world. Despite its fame, the debate around its harmfulness to the body has never ended: what happens to our body after drinking it?
Since its origins, Coca Cola has become the protagonist of heated debates, focused on the effects it has on our body. On the other hand, the drink was born as a non-alcoholic variant of “coca wine”, made by mixing wine and coca leaves. When the substance was made illegal, the company revised its recipe by eliminating the alkaloid from the extracts of the leaves used. Over the years, however, the controversies around health have followed one another with numerous criticisms (for example, as regards the case of carcinogenic dyes). The British pharmacist Niraj Naik has recently worked on an infographic with the aim of illustrating what happens to the body one hour after drinking a can of Coca Cola.
Coca Cola, the results of Niraj Naik’s research
According to what emerged, in the first 10 minutes our system welcomes 10 teaspoons of sugar – that is, the maximum daily dose recommended by doctors. The only reason why we are not pervaded by nausea is that the phosphoric acid contained in the drink manages to change its flavor and, consequently, allows us to drink without the desire to vomit assailing us. After 20 minutes the blood sugar reaches its maximum levels and insulin rises sharply. At this point the liver intervenes, which transforms the sugar into fat. 40 minutes later the caffeine was completely absorbed.
Blood pressure rises, pupils dilate, and the liver responds by releasing more sugar into the circulatory system. Adenosine receptors are activated, ready to reduce drowsiness. This explains why, after drinking Coke, we tend to feel more energetic. At a distance of 45 minutes, the production of dopamine in the body increases and the areas of the brain dedicated to pleasure are stimulated. Finally, after 60 minutes, phosphoric acid intervenes again which binds calcium, zinc and magnesium in our intestines, accelerating the metabolism. Caffeine works, with its diuretic properties. Calcium, magnesium and zinc (which should end up in the bones) are excreted from the body in the urine.
Once the feeling of excitement ends, blood sugar levels will drop precipitously. This precipitation is capable of affecting mood. For this reason, many become particularly irritable or feel emotionless. It is not surprising to know that Naik – who published the research in his blog The Renegade Pharmacist – suggest avoiding the consumption of Coca Cola. The expert explained that sugary drinks containing fructose-glucose syrup, such as yours truly, are very harmful to health. His advice is to replace them with simple water (which could be combined with lemon, to increase its flavour) or green tea.
