If you’ve got a die-hard Diet Coke addiction, brace yourself. Just because your fizzy drink has zero sugar doesn’t mean it’s harmless. In fact, your gut (and probably your heart), might quietly be plotting revenge.
An infographic by the British pharmacist Niraj Naik shows the damage that a 330 ml can of Diet Coke can inflict on the body within one hour of consumption.
Credit: Canva
Even Diet Coke is so sweet that, in theory, your body should immediately want to eject it. Luckily (or unluckily), the phosphoric acid in the drink tones down the sweetness enough that most people can actually swallow it. About 20 minutes after taking a sip, your blood sugar spikes, which triggers a surge of insulin. Your liver then starts turning all that sugar into fat, basically storing it for later, whether you like it or not.
Credit: The Renegade Pharmacist
By 40 minutes, the caffeine in the Coke has fully kicked in. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your brain’s adenosine receptors get blocked, which means you don’t feel sleepy. And just a few minutes after that, your brain cranks up dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical that makes you crave more. Naik even compares Coke’s effect on your reward system to something as intense as heroin (yikes). In short: One can can easily lead to another.
If you’re a person who drinks two or more cans a day, you’re looking at a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, reports Healthline. Yes, your zero sugar lifestyle might actually be doing more harm than that a chocolate bar could. Those fizzy little cans are packed with phosphorus, which can sneakily contribute to chronic kidney disease.
Credit: Canva
Diet Coke also messes with your insulin and gut microbiome. Translation: Your digestive system might start refusing to work. Your metabolism, cravings, and appetite control could all go on strike. And speaking of cravings, that’s the fourth warning: Diet Coke can actually make you hungrier for high-calorie foods, so that can might be sabotaging your attempts at health.
Dr Frankie Phillips from the British Dietetic Association has added that Diet Coke’s acidity can also erode your teeth, potentially dissolving enamel. Yikes.
While Diet Coke is often the go-to for anyone who loves soda but hates sugar, they’re definitely not harmless. Packed with artificial sweeteners, caffeine, acids, and preservatives, they’re essentially a colourful, fizzy cocktail of “meh” with no nutritional benefits.
Your gut, kidneys, heart, and teeth might all be judging you silently… and probably a little harshly.
For more like this, like The Tab on Facebook.
Featured image credit: Canva
