Why is Coca-Cola so addictive? The Sugar.

Why is Coca-Cola so addictive? The Sugar. Soft drinks contain large quantities of sugar which, when consumed, causes a 'rush' that is extremely addictive and leads to even bigger cravings. The reward centres of the brain are activated, releasing dopamine and other hormones to create a feeling of euphoria. Addictive ingredients: Soda contains ingredients like caffeine and sugar that can be addictive. For instance, much like addictive substances such as alcohol and drugs, caffeine also triggers the release of the feel-good hormone dopamine in the brain, making you crave more of it. There are 37 grams (g) of added sugar, which equates to almost 10 teaspoons (tsp), in a single can of cola. For optimal health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend consuming no more than 6 tsp of added sugar daily. By drinking just one serving of cola a day, a person will easily exceed this amount. Is Coca-Cola bad for you? Effects on the body Recent research Summary Sugary drinks can contribute to many health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. Research has shown that drinking a can of Coca-Cola can damage the body within an hour. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of the United States populationTrusted Source will drink at least one sugary beverage on any given day. Young adults are the most regular consumers of sugary drinks. There are 37 gramsTrusted Source (g) of added sugar, which equates to almost 10 teaspoons (tsp), in a single can of cola. For optimal health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend consuming no more than 6 tsp of added sugarTrusted Source daily. By drinking just one serving of cola a day, a person will easily exceed this amount. A 2015 studyTrusted Source attributed 184,000 global deaths each year to the consumption of sugary drinks. In this article, we look at the effects of cola on the body. Effects on the body The sugar in Coca-Cola can contribute to many health conditions. An infographic by the British pharmacist Niraj Naik shows the damage that a 330 milliliter (ml) can of Coca-Cola can inflict on the body within 1 hour of consumption. Naik based the infographic on research by health writer Wade Meredith. According to Naik, the intense sweetness of Coca-Cola resulting from its high sugar content should make a person vomit as soon as it enters the body. However, the phosphoric acid in the beverage dulls the sweetness, enabling people to keep the drink down. Blood sugar levels increase dramatically within 20 minutes of drinking the cola, explains Naik, causing a burst of insulin. The liver then turns the high amounts of sugar into fat. Effects similar to heroin Within 40 minutes, the body has absorbed all of the caffeine from the cola. This caffeine causes the pupils to dilate and the blood pressure to increase. By this point, the Coca-Cola has blocked the adenosine receptors in the brain, preventing drowsiness. Just 5 minutes later, the production of dopamine has increased. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the pleasure and reward centers of the brain. According to the infographic, the way that Coca-Cola stimulates these centers is comparable to the effects of heroin. It triggers a person’s urge to drink another can. An hour after drinking the beverage, a sugar crash will begin, causing irritability and drowsiness. The body will have cleared the water from the cola, along with vital nutrients, in the urine. According to Naik, the infographic applies not only to Coca-Cola but to all caffeinated fizzy drinks. “Coke is not just high in high fructose corn syrup, but it is also packed with refined salts and caffeine,” writes Naik on his blog, The Renegade Pharmacist. “Regular consumption of these ingredients in the high quantities you find in Coke and other processed foods and drinks can lead to higher blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. […] However, a small amount now and then won’t do any major harm. The key is moderation!” In a press statement, a spokesperson for Coca-Cola says that the beverage is “perfectly safe to drink and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and lifestyle.” Recent research In 2018, a mini literature reviewTrusted Source highlighted more ways in which sugary drinks can affect health. The review authors examined the effects of sugar sweetened beverages on the brain. They found that these drinks increased levels of certain compounds and chemicals that interfered with brain activity, increasing the risk of stroke and dementia. They also found that regularly consuming sugary drinks may affect the quality and duration of a person’s sleep cycle. Some compounds also had effects on memory and motor coordination, which may contribute to the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, many of the studies in this review took place in rats. The full extent of the effects of sugary drinks on humans is not yet clear. The authors of a 2018 studyTrusted Source involving 2,019 participants found that they could not even rule out the consumption of diet sodas as a risk factor for diabetes. They note that their findings support the suggestion that sugar-sweetened beverages, such as cola, play a role in the development of this chronic disease. A 2016 studyTrusted Source on rats found that the rodents that drank Coca-Cola showed signs of decreased kidney and liver function in comparison with the rats that did not drink soda. Again, further research would be necessary to confirm the effects of Coca-Cola in humans. Here, learn about the sugar content of a range of popular foods and drinks. Summary Research has confirmed many risks of regularly consuming Coca-Cola and other sugary drinks. These beverages increase blood sugar levels rapidly and affect the pleasure centers of the brain in a similar way as heroin. More recent research adds to the evidence of a link between sugary drinks and diabetes and seems to confirm the adverse effects of these drinks on brain, kidney, and liver activity. Q: What can I drink instead of soda? A: By swapping soda out for a low sugar alternative, you can not only reduce your sugar intake, but by making the right choices, you can also add many beneficial antioxidants to your diet. Try unsweetened iced tea, iced coffee, or fruit infused water, or blend the two and have a fruit-infused iced tea. Add a splash of fruit juice to sparkling water or seltzer or try some coconut water without added sugar for a sweet treat. Homemade smoothies with no added sugar are always a fun addition to a healthful diet, but remember that variety is the key to keeping things interesting. Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. From our expert nutritionists More in Nutrition DiabetesNutrition / DietObesity / Weight Loss / Fitness How we reviewed this article: Share this article Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D., Nutrition — Written by Adam Felman — Updated on February 10, 2023 Latest news Reducing night light exposure may be a simple way to cut diabetes risk Toxic metals in tampons: Should you be worried? Starting hormone therapy in perimenopause may help slow down aging High salt intake may trigger mechanism that contributes to multiple sclerosis Acute kidney injury linked to higher risk of some forms of dementia Was this article helpful? Yes No 5 reasons why sugar is bad for you Nutritional value Weight gain Diabetes Tooth cavities Heart disease Added sugars Summary Consuming too much sugar can be bad for the health. It can lead to various health problems, such as increasing the risk of weight gain, diabetes, tooth cavities, and more. Many healthful food products, such as dairy products, vegetables, and fruit, naturally contain sugars. The sugar in these foods gives them a sweeter taste. It is important for people to include these foods in their diet, as they come with a range of other nutrients that provide valuable health benefits. However, manufacturers tend to add sugar to foods such as cereals and cake and some drinks. It is these added sugars, or free sugars, that cause health problems. Unlike foods and drinks that naturally contain sugar, those with added sugar provide no nutritional value. They are also a poor energy source, as the body digests added sugar very quickly. Consuming too much may cause health problems over time. This article discusses five reasons why added sugars are bad for health. 1. Lack of nutritional value Sugar does not provide any vitamins or minerals. Sugar is an empty calorie. Adding it to foods and drinks significantly increases their calorie content without adding any nutritional benefit. The body usually digests these foods and drinks quickly. This means that they are not a good source of energy. Products that naturally contain sugar are different. For example, fruits and dairy products contain natural sugars. The body digests these foods at a slower rate, making them a lasting source of energy. Such products also tend to contain other nutrients. For example, they also contain fiber and a range of vitamins and minerals. The average adult in the United States consumes around 308 caloriesTrusted Source from added sugars per day. This is a lot more than the American Heart Association’s (AHA)Trusted Source recommendations of 100 calories from added sugars for females and 150 calories for males. Consuming empty calories undermines the health benefits of consuming other foods and drinks that do have nutritional value. It can also cause imbalances, where nutrient deficits can lead to further health complications. 2. Weight gain A significant risk of consuming excess dietary sugar is weight gain. In most cases, sugary foods and drinks are high in calories. Consuming too many of these products will lead to weight gain, even with regular exercise. There is strong evidenceTrusted Source showing that excess dietary sugar is a cause of weight gain. As the body usually digests products containing added sugars more quickly, they do not offset hunger for very long. This can lead to eating more regularly throughout the day and a greater calorie intake overall. There is also some evidence to suggest that sugar can affect the biological pathways that regulate hunger. Leptin is a hormoneTrusted Source that regulates hunger by determining how much energy the body needs. Disruption to leptin functioning can lead to weight gain and obesity. A study in rats from 2011 revealed that a diet high in fat and sugar could lead to leptin resistance. Leptin resistance occurs when the body no longer responds to leptin correctly. The study authors found that removing sugar from the diet reversed leptin resistance. Another studyTrusted Source from 2014 found that sugary drinks could be a particular problem for leptin resistance. It is important to note that sugar does not cause weight gain and obesity by itself. Sugar is one of several causes. Being overweight or obese is the result of a complex interaction between diet, physical activity, genetics, and social and environmental factors. However, limiting the amount of sugar in a diet is one of the simplest ways to prevent weight gain. 3. Diabetes Drinking soda or other sugary drinks may increase a person’s risk of developing diabetes. There is a link between consuming sugary drinks and developing type 2 diabetes. It is not true that sugar causes diabetes. A high-calorie diet of any kind can lead to type 2 diabetes. However, in most cases, diets high in sugar are high in calories. This can increase the risk of diabetes. Sugary drinks are particularly problematic. A meta-analysis of data from 310,819 people found that those with a high consumption of sugary drinks had a 26 percent greater risk of type 2 diabetes than those with a low consumption. The study defined “high consumption” as between one and two sugary drinks per day. The American Diabetes Association recommend avoiding sugary drinks to prevent type 2 diabetes. Nutrition resources For more science-backed resources on nutrition, visit our dedicated hub. 4. Tooth cavities Sugar consumption can cause tooth decay, which may lead to the development of cavities. After eating sugar, bacteria in the mouth formTrusted Source a thin layer of plaque over the teeth. These bacteria react with the sugars present in foods and drinks. This reaction triggers the release of an acid that damages teeth. It is possible for the body to repair some of this damage itself. Over time, however, a diet high in sugar will cause lasting damage. This can lead to tooth cavities. Cavities are permeant holes that form on teeth. Limiting the intake of foods high in sugar is one effectiveTrusted Source way to prevent tooth cavities. 5. Heart disease High-sugar diets may increase the risk of heart disease. The resultsTrusted Source of a 15-year study suggest that people with a lot of added sugar in their diet are significantly more likely to die from heart disease than people with minimal amounts of added sugar in their diet. Again, research suggestsTrusted Source that sugary drinks may be particularly problematic for increasing the risk of heart disease. This association may be because sugary drinks are high in calories, do not affect hunger, and provide an insufficient amount of energy. Although there is a clear link, more research will be necessary to better understand the relationship between sugar and heart disease. Added sugars to look out for Many products contain added sugars such as honey. Added sugars can appear in many surprising products. Checking the contents of food before buying it is one way to avoid added sugar. However, some food labels make it difficult to tell whether they contain added sugar, as there are many different names for it. Some examples of other names for added sugar include: dextrose sucrose agave nectar maltose molasses honey high-fructose corn syrup corn sweetener crystalline fructose evaporated cane juice To maintain a healthful diet, it is best for males to consume no more than 36 grams (g) of added sugar per day, and for females to consume no more than 25 g per day. This is the recommendation from the AHATrusted Source. Currently, the average person in the U.S. consumes far more than these limits. Summary Sugar is not unhealthful in itself. However, consuming a natural source of sugar is better for health than consuming added sugars. Having excess sugar in the diet can cause a range of conditions, including heart disease, weight gain, and diabetes. To be aware of added sugars in food products, it is important to read labels carefully. From our expert nutritionists More in Nutrition DiabetesNutrition / DietObesity / Weight Loss / Fitness How we reviewed this article: Share this article Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.D., Nutrition — Written by Aaron Kandola on April 2, 2019 Latest news Reducing night light exposure may be a simple way to cut diabetes risk Toxic metals in tampons: Should you be worried? Starting hormone therapy in perimenopause may help slow down aging High salt intake may trigger mechanism that contributes to multiple sclerosis Acute kidney injury linked to higher risk of some forms of dementia Was this article helpful? Yes No Related Coverage Is fructose bad for you? Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, RD In this article, we look at whether or not fructose is bad for a person’s health and how it compares with other sugars such as glucose. READ MORE Bitter polyphenols in plant-based foods may help lower obesity and diabetes risk Polyphenols in plant-based foods may trigger gastrointestinal hormones that could help reduce a person's risk for both obesity and type 2 diabetes… READ MORE Fasting may have health benefits, but there could be a downside, study suggests A new study in mice has shown that intermittent fasting may help stimulate cell regeneration but also carry the risk of stimulating the formation of… READ MORE Eating more plant fats from grains, vegetable oils may lower death risk People who ate the highest amounts of plant fats, especially from grains and vegetable oils, had a 14% lower risk of dying from heart disease, a new… READ MORE Get our newsletter Keep up with the ever-changing world of medical science with new and emerging developments in health. 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Doctors’ ‘ignorance of nutrition’ is affecting patient outcomes. A lack of formal training in nutrition could significantly limit how physicians practice, according to an editorial published in JAMA Internal Medicine this month, in some cases leading them to recommend risky treatments to patients in lieu of dietary counseling that might be just as effective. In JAMA, Neal D. Barnard, MD, an adjunct associate professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, said today’s physicians are failing to grasp the full importance of nutrition in a patient’s care plan—but it’s not entirely their fault. In a 2018 survey, 61% of internal medicine residents reported they’d received little to no training in the area. Barnard admits he’s been guilty of this “nutritional ignorance,” too, recalling an instance earlier in his career in which his team had recommended a foot amputation to a patient who had presented with a diabetes-related infection. Ready to amputate, Barnard was frustrated the patient declined the recommendation and instead opted for IV antibiotics. Reflecting on the incident later, Barnard guesses the patient eventually lost the battle with his illness. He’d left the hospital with his foot intact, but Barnard said the patient’s care team had failed to ever speak with him about the underlying cause of his diabetes: his diet. “Even though the roots of type 2 diabetes are in the everyday food choices that lead to obesity and insulin resistance, we were ready to amputate, but never started a discussion about improving diet,” Barnard wrote. He said we know that insulin resistance starts with the buildup of lipid particles in muscle and liver cells, pushing blood glucose values up and interfering with insulin signaling. Those intramyocellular and hepatocellular lipids are derived from food, and with sufficient changes diabetics can improve—and in some cases reverse—their condition. Barnard cited other instances of nutritional ignorance, including one case in which a number of cardiologists recommended a patient for open-heart surgery before discussing dietary changes that might have fixed the problem more easily. “This is not to suggest that physicians are not interested in nutrition,” Barnard wrote, noting the two most-read articles in JAMA Internal Medicine last year centered around diet. “But the curiosity about nutrition that physicians share with the general public does not equate to clinical competence.” Barnard suggested mandating nutrition education through CME programs, integrating it into the hours currently required by programs to allow physicians better access to this information. He also said EMS services should include customizable nutrition questionnaires and handouts that could duly educate patients and their physicians. Physicians are also role models, he said, and should practice what they preach. Still, one study conducted in 2012 found physicians were far less likely to record an obesity diagnosis if their own body weight was higher than their patient’s. Barnard recommends that all physicians work alongside registered dietitians to recognize the role nutrition plays in disease, especially so they can communicate that information effectively to their patients. Just like seeing a pack of cigarettes in your doctor’s coat pocket would compromise their credibility, so would their inability to answer common questions about diet and nutrition.

Doctor Ken D Berry says Here's a pic of me from back when I was a fat, inflamed, irritable doctor (but not my heaviest). My crappy S.A.D., and lots of alcohol (sitting at the bar at the family pool) caused pre-diabetes, daily joint pain, heart-burn, dandruff and a general state of being pissed off all the time. I was arrogant, unhappy, and never satisfied. Only after I fixed my own diet, eating and drinking only what my body needed, and removing the slow poisons of the S.A.D. STANDARD AMERICAN DIET and alcohol, was I able to reverse my pre-diabetes, and the multiple other physical and mental maladies I suffered from. The dietary advice I gave patients during this period of my career was stupid and unhelpful, I obviously didn't know what I was talking about. I apologize to my patients for giving such bad dietary advice, and to my kids for being such an angry, unhappy dad. Angela Andersen For me the best part of what you said is that you now understand how that life and also drinking around your child is a very bad decision, regardless of its legality. This is, of course, influenced by the fact that I was raised around family parties. A very close second is that you tell others how the SAD is responsible for so many physical and mental illness and that keto has drastically changed it all. I’m sorry for the difficult journey but thank you for enduring it and for sharing the truth with others. Irlanda Montiel Troxel I’m so happy your kids have a much happier and healthier dad now. I’m 3 weeks on Keto and going strong because of you. 5 lbs down 10 to go. You rock, Dr. Berry! Keep it up. Love you. 😘 Dianne Keyworth Harris Your journey is an inspiration to us all. We all have a journey and this is yours. You help so many people and your children love you- you can tell. You are an amazing human being and a great doctor! God Bless you.

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