This Is What Coke Does to Your Body in an Hour – The Results May Surprise You!

Coke is often seen as a silent killer, blamed for many medical conditions by some, while others see it as an innocent treat.

For some people, it’s a digestion aid; for others, its acid content is believed to harm the stomach.

Some people think of Coke as just an energy drink, while others call it a toilet cleaner because of its acidic content.

But what does science really say about COKE? How does it affect your body and metabolism within just one hour of drinking it? The answer might surprise you…

Ingredients in a standard Coca-Cola (Coke):

Coke contains various ingredients that can have various effects on your body. These include:

1. Carbonated Water
   • Adds fizz to the drink.
2. High Fructose Corn Syrup (or Cane Sugar)
   • Acts as a sweetener in regular Coke.
3. Caramel Color (E150d)
   • Provides Coke with its signature dark color.
4. Phosphoric Acid
   • Adds tanginess and helps preserve the beverage.
5. Natural Flavors
   • A proprietary blend of flavoring agents (exact details are a trade secret).
6. Caffeine
   • A mild stimulant present in many colas.
7. Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)
   • Keeps the drink fresh by preventing microbial growth (used in some variations).
8. Citric Acid
   • Present in some regional or flavored variations of Coke for added tartness.
9. Aspartame, Acesulfame K, or Sucralose (Diet/Zero Sugar Versions)

Used as sugar substitutes in sugar-free versions like Diet Coke or Coke.

Due to these ingredients, the effects and changes in your body unfold gradually over time after you drink it.

The First 10 Minutes: The Sugar Surge

When one consumes a can of Coke, the first ten minutes trigger a cascade of physiological reactions primarily driven by the influx of sugar and caffeine.

One can of Coke contains 39 grams of sugar. This exceeds the daily recommendations of added sugars according to AHA:

As the drink is absorbed (and its typically rapidly absorbed compared to solids), there is a sugar surge in our bodies.

The sugar spikes are too rapid and unexpected. The body is not prepared to handle it immediately. This puts stress on your pancreas to release insulin.

Here is a table demonstrating the sugar content in different beverages:

The sugar is then stored in your body and liver as fats, resulting in insulin resistance and weight gain if consumed regularly.

In addition, the rapid rise in blood glucose levels ignites a rush of energy and heightened mental alertness.

This creates a mental state of euphoria and compels our bodies to reach out for another can.

The sugar surge can cause nausea in some people, however, this effect is often blunted by the added phosphoric acid that is added to the coke.

Here is a table demonstrating the sugar content in healthy beverages:

After 20 Minutes: A Spike in Dopamine

The sugar surge activates the ‘reward system of our brain“, resulting in the release of dopamine. Dopamine regulates mood, pleasure, and reward-driven behaviors.

The Dopamine Hit contributes to a sense of satisfaction, euphoria, pleasure, and enjoyment.

Our brain associates this pleasure with the high sugar content in Coke, leading to more cravings and a cycle of dependency.

Just like addictive substances, this habit-forming behavior associated with Coke intake can have multiple health implications later in life.

30 Minutes: The Caffeine Boost Takes Effect

30 minutes after the drink, the caffeine boost kicks in. Your heartbeat may increase, blood pressure rises, and your pupils dilate.

The caffeine present in Coke contributes to the rapid sense of heightened alertness, as it blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, the calming neurotransmitter. This keeps us awake, restless, and jittery.

Here is a table of comparison to show the Caffeine content of different beverages:

Caffeine acts as a stimulant, enhancing alertness and further contributing to feelings of pleasure and motivation.

However, this temporary high can be followed by a subsequent low, possibly leading to crashes in energy and mood.

These fluctuations can leave individuals reaching for another can of Coke or other sugary beverages, compounding the cycle of craving and consumption.

In addition, to maintain the energy stream, the liver releases more sugar, burdening our pancreas to release more insulin to handle the sugar spike.

The more a person is sensitive to caffeine, the more restless and irritable he will be.

Here is a table showing the caffeine content of different Coffee Brands:

40 Minutes After the Drink: Urge for another can:

After 40 minutes, because of the insulin release as a result of the sugar surge, as well as the effects of caffeine, our glucose levels drop.

The adrenergic symptoms of hypoglycemia set in. These symptoms manifest as hunger, cravings, tremors, palpitation, and weakness.

In addition, the diuretic effects of caffeine cause dehydration. This creates an urge to drink another can of Coke.

50 Minutes After the Drink: Your Body is Overdriven

At this stage, our liver and kidneys are the most affected. Our liver works faster than usual to convert the sugar load to fat.

Our kidneys flush the caffeine and chemicals out resulting in urination and dehydration.

At this stage, electrolyte abnormalities and hormonal changes set in which can cause irritability and anxiety.

There is a surge in cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone associated with stress response. Caffeine is primarily responsible for the cortisol surge but low sugars can also cause cortisol to rise.

While temporary increases in cortisol may not be detrimental for healthy individuals, chronic elevations can lead to various health concerns, including anxiety and sleep disturbances.

60 Minutes After the Drink: The Crash

After One hour of the drink, our bodies crash, dealing with the mess. Our sugars have been converted to fats in the liver.

This causes us to feel weaker and lethargic. The diuretic effects of caffeine have caused dehydration by making us pee more.

Along with water loss, we have lost essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc.

Repeated and regular consumption of Coke leads to obesity and weight gain as more fat is stored in the liver.

The stored fat and weight gain along with hormonal changes lead to insulin resistance, diabetes, and heart diseases in the long run.

What Are the Better Choices?

An occasional soda is unlikely to harm your health, but making it a regular habit can lead to long-term issues. Here are some healthier alternatives to consider:

• Sparkling Water:
  • Add a splash of lemon, lime, or orange for a refreshing twist.
• Unsweetened Iced Tea:
  • Enjoy a caffeine boost without the added sugar.
• Infused Water:
  • Enhance plain water with fruits like berries, cucumber, mint, or even ginger.
• Herbal Tea:
  • Chamomile, peppermint, or hibiscus teas are caffeine-free and soothing.
• Green Tea:
  • Packed with antioxidants and a light caffeine kick.
• Black Coffee:
  • A natural energy booster with no added sugars (use sparingly if sensitive to caffeine).
• Coconut Water:
  • Hydrates naturally with a hint of sweetness and electrolytes.
• Vegetable Juice:
  • A blend of carrots, celery, and spinach offers nutrients without excess sugar.
• Smoothies:
  • Blend fruits, leafy greens, and yogurt for a nutrient-packed treat.
• Kombucha:
  • A fermented tea rich in probiotics for gut health.

What Diet Soda Does To Your Body?

You must be wondering why I haven’t added Diet Soda to the above list. Because diet soda, although has zero calories from sugar, it has additives like aspartame and sucralose.

These ingredients can cause cravings for sugars as they train your brain that high sugar intake is rewarding and pleasant.

In addition, these sugar alternatives alter your gut microbiota which has multiple health hazards such as bloating, indigestion, IBS, and even Alzheimers.

Also, studies have linked obesity, hypertension, insulin resistance, and heart diseases with regular intake of diet soda.

Take Away …

While a can of Coke may feel satisfying at the moment, these healthier choices can not only quench your thirst but also support your overall well-being. Remember, even small swaps can lead to big health benefits!

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