For decades, Coca-Cola has been the market leader in carbonated drinks. Can I drink it constantly? Does the drink harm the body? These and many other exciting issues cause a lot of controversy both among the layman and among the doctors.
What does Coca-Cola consist of
To understand whether you can drink Coca-Cola, you need to find out what it consists of. Here are some key ingredients that make up a drink:
- Sugar. A glass of drink accounts for as many as five teaspoons of the sweet product. This amount of sugar can cause metabolic disorders and dental problems.
- Carbon dioxide. This component is associated with the appearance of heartburn, as well as problems with the liver and gall bladder.
- Caffeine. An invigorating ingredient that, when over-consumed, causes hyperactivity and sleep disturbances. In addition, caffeine leads to leaching of calcium from bones.
- Orthophosphoric acid. This is the enemy of tooth enamel and the gastric mucosa. With constant use, it leads to brittle bones.
- Carbon dioxide and sodium benzoate. These are preservatives that are used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. When interacting with ascorbic acid, they turn into carcinogens.
There is another component in Coca-Cola - the mysterious merhandiz-7. This is a flavoring supplement, the formula of which is kept secret, therefore it is impossible to say unequivocally how it affects the body. It is only known that it contains lemon and cinnamon oil, nutmeg, lime, coriander, bitter orange flowers.
Per minute action on the body
To understand whether it is possible to drink Coca-Cola, you need to find out the mechanism of its effect on the body. If we consider this process every minute, we get the following:
- 10 minutes. Phosphoric acid begins to destroy tooth enamel and irritates the walls of the stomach.
- 20 minutes. There is a release of insulin into the blood, blood pressure rises, the heart rate increases.
- 40 minutes. Chemicals that cause brain receptor stimulation enter the bloodstream. Thus, a dependence on a sweet drink is gradually formed, which is accompanied by the destruction of nerve cells.
- 60 minutes There is a strong feeling of thirst.
Can I drink Coca-Cola Zero?
Despite the fact that the chemical composition of the drink is replete with harmful elements, to create a new, dietary product, the manufacturer decided to exclude sugar from the formula. But replacing it with artificial sweeteners, he did not make the drink healthier. On the contrary, strange processes begin to occur in the body. Receptors, capturing the sweetness, transmit the corresponding signal to the brain. Insulin is released, which leads to a sharp drop in blood sugar. Thus, the question of whether Coca-Cola Zero can be drunk by diabetics can be answered categorically with a no.
And what about the diet? It would seem that if there is no sugar in the composition, then there is no reason to be afraid of the figure. But not so simple. After the release of insulin and a drop in blood sugar, the body goes into an energy-saving mode. Thus, he begins to accumulate calories, transforming them into adipose tissue. So, to the question of whether it is possible to drink Coca-Cola on a diet (even if it is sugar free), one can also answer “no”.
Pregnancy period
There are legends about the gastronomic whims of expectant mothers. In this regard, many are interested in whether it is possible to drink Coca-Cola for pregnant women. Of course, occasionally and in small quantities, you can treat yourself to your favorite drink. But its frequent use can lead to such negative consequences:
- Caffeine contained in the drink is strictly contraindicated in pregnant women. It excites the nervous system and speeds up the heartbeat.
- Sweeteners are addictive and trigger migraine attacks. Moreover, accumulating in the body, they cause harm to the cardiovascular system of the woman and the fetus.
- All kinds of synthetic flavors and dyes enter the child’s body through the umbilical cord and can affect the formation of internal organs. This is especially dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy.
- A large amount of drink provokes gastritis and even stomach ulcers. Thus, digestion is difficult, which can adversely affect the process of the intake of beneficial substances to the fetus.
- Phosphoric acid, which is part of the drink, leaches calcium from the body of the expectant mother. Accordingly, the child’s bone system also suffers.
- Carbonated drinks provoke flatulence. The gassed intestines presses on the uterus, which causes serious discomfort to the embryo.
Drinking Tips
Despite numerous medical warnings, there are things that are difficult to refuse. Coca-Cola also belongs to this category of products. If you feel a love for this drink, remember these tips:
- Drink the drink chilled. This is not only a matter of taste, but also a guarantee of safety.
- Try to open the bottle in advance so that as much gas as possible escapes from the drink.
- Drink no more than a glass of Coca-Cola per day.
- Try to drink Coca-Cola in small sips. Ideally, this should be done through a tube so that less drink gets on the tooth enamel.
- Do not drink soda on an empty stomach. Eat something so that the drink does not irritate the mucous membrane.
- Give preference to drinks in a glass container.
- Do not drink Coca-Cola medicine.
Is expired drink dangerous?
Can I drink expired Coca-Cola? Of course not! Any product with an expired shelf life is a danger to the body. As a rule, we are talking about food poisoning. But in the case of a carbonated drink, things can be much more complicated. Coca-Cola has many chemicals that react with each other. And what this reaction will give at the exit is not known for certain. It is possible chemical poisoning.
Expiration usually signals the expiration of preservatives. This means that the propagation of pathogenic microflora inside the bottle may begin. And even if you have not looked at the expiration date indicated on the bottle, the “delay” can be recognized by your taste sensations. If you do not feel the usual characteristic aroma or have caught extraneous notes, it is better to pour such a drink.
When Coca-Cola Benefits
"Can I drink Coca-Cola for children and adults?" - This is a burning question for which there is no clear answer for many years. Yes, the harm of sweet carbonated drinks has been scientifically proven, but there is no definitive ban. Moreover, it turned out that in some cases, Coca-Cola may be useful, namely:
- Reduces intoxication symptoms with food poisoning.
- It fights heaviness in the stomach during overeating, accelerating the process of digestion of food.
- Suppresses nausea.
- Helps deal with diarrhea.
Nevertheless, it is worth considering that Coca-Cola does not contain any antibacterial ingredients. Thus, its effect is only symptomatic, but not therapeutic.
Categorical contraindications
No matter how many disputes there are about whether it is possible to drink Coca-Cola, there is a category of people who are forbidden to drink carbonated drinks, regardless of the conclusions of scientists. Here are some contraindications:
- gastritis;
- ulcer;
- hemorrhoids;
- diabetes;
- bleeding disorder;
- ischemia;
- arrhythmia;
- bladder disease;
- pancreatic disease;
- excess weight.
Economic purpose of the drink
Coca-Cola is a tasty, but not the most useful product. If you got a bottle of a drink in your hands, you should not risk your health, but pouring a liquid is also not worth it. It is quite possible to find application in everyday life:
- Clean the toilet from old stone. Pour the contents of the bottle into the bowl and leave for several hours (preferably all night). It remains to clean the plumbing with a brush and press the lever on the tank.
- Remove stained spots. In equal proportions, mix the drink with a dishwashing detergent. Rub the stained area with the compound. After half an hour, wash the item with ordinary washing powder.
- Wash the windows. Dirty glass after winter, first wipe with a cloth dampened in Coca-Cola. This will help remove even the most severe impurities and give the glass a shine (thanks to citric acid).
- Peel off the chewing gum. If chewing gum adheres to your hair or clothing, moisten the problem area with a drink. After a few minutes, the chewing gum will easily go away.
- Wash greasy dishes. If, after cooking, the dishes are covered with a layer of fat or carbon deposits, fill the Coca-Cola container. After about an hour, you can easily wash the dishes.
- Remove rust. Put rusty tools or parts in a drink container for a couple of hours. If you need to clean the plumbing, rub the problem areas with a sponge dipped in Coca-Cola.