Coca-Cola is extremely popular, both with children and adults. In 2011 it was considered to be the world’s most valuable brand.
It is sold in 200 countries and it was estimated that about 1.8 billion servings are consumed every day. As its sugar-free versions became available on the market, people started thinking of it as a harmless drink that they can have instead of water.
Even if it has been consumed for over a century, the negative effects of this carbonated soft drink on the human body have only recently become known.
Naraj Naik has designed an infographic that openly points out to these effects after the consumption of this famous beverage.
The title of the infographic is “What happens one hour after drinking a can of Coke” and it gives the viewer a very clear picture of the whole process within an hour after ingestion.
Thus, the chart shows that a can of coke contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar, which represents 100 percent of the daily recommended intake of sugar. We might not be aware of the fact that the beverage is so sweet because the phosphoric acid that it contains reduces the intensity of its sweetness.
The sugar excess causes an insulin burst, about 20 minutes after ingestion. The liver tries hard to manage the extra sugar that our system was hit with and all it can do is transform it into fat.
However, this drink also contains caffeine. This kicks in after about 40 minutes and it usually results in pupils dilation and increased blood pressure. In response, the liver reacts by releasing more sugar in our blood, while our brain has its adenosine receptors blocked to prevent us from being sleepy.
After 45 minutes, the pleasure centers in the brain are stimulated due to the dopamine production that our system enhances.
Later on, after an hour has passed, the phosphoric acid that a can of Coke contains has the effect of binding the magnesium, zinc and calcium in our lower intestine. This effect is enhanced by high amounts of sugar and artificial sweeteners. The calcium, zinc and magnesium are then eliminated through urine instead of going to our bones.
Thus, it is safe to say that daily consumption of Coca-Cola can have incredibly harmful effects on our body in the long run, leading to obesity, heart diseases and diabetes.
Image Source: nowtheendbegins