There's a unique pleasure in savouring the first refreshing gulp of an ice-cold Coca-Cola, but there's a startling fact about this sugary beverage that might catch you off guard.
A pharmacist has revealed that the sweet carbonated drink can induce a buzz akin to heroin due to the dopamine rush it triggers. But that's not even the most shocking part.
The effects of the drink are immediate, providing your brain with a swift hit of sugar-laden delight.
However, the alarming truth is that Coca-Cola contains such high levels of sugar that it should theoretically cause instant vomiting. But according to health expert Niraj Naik, the chemicals present in the drink help us keep it down.
He explains the series of reactions our bodies undergo with each sip, reports the Mirror.
"The intense sweetness of Coca-Cola resulting from its high sugar content should make a person vomit as soon as it enters the body," he shared with Medical News Today. "However, the phosphoric acid in the beverage dulls the sweetness, enabling people to keep the drink down."
Within just ten minutes, tooth enamel comes under attack. "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."
Just 20 minutes after guzzling a non-diet fizzy drink, you could be riding a massive wave of blood sugar, which spikes insulin levels and forces your liver to convert all that sweet stuff into fat.
Fast forward to the 40-minute mark, and you've soaked up every last bit of caffeine, with larger pupils and heightened blood pressure to prove it. By this point, the cola has also "blocked the adenosine receptors" in the brain to keep you feeling wide awake. Five minutes on, dopamine production kicks in.
"Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the pleasure and reward centres of the brain," explains Niraj. He added: "The way that Coca-Cola stimulates these centres is comparable to the effects of heroin. It triggers a person's urge to drink another can."
The dopamine hit is what causes the cravings, but as the hour approaches, brace yourself for the dreaded sugar slump that can leave you feeling rattled and sleepy. That's because the body swiftly dumps out the soda's water content, taking essential nutrients with it via urine.
As pointed out by Niraj, "Coke is not just high in high fructose corn syrup, but it is also packed with refined salts and caffeine."
Coca-Cola has acknowledged the high sugar content in its beverage, stating that it contains sugar and caffeine and is "fine in moderation", but emphasised that excessive consumption "isn't good for anyone". In a statement, the company said: "Like all food and beverages, soft drinks with sugar can be consumed as part of a balanced lifestyle as long as people don't consume them to excess."
The company also highlighted its range of low-sugar options, stating: "We offer a variety of great-tasting beverages with reduced, low or no sugar and calories."
Additionally, they pointed out that many of their beverages come in smaller pack sizes, and that they provide clear labeling on sugar and calorie content, allowing consumers to make informed choices for themselves and their families
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