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An infographic comparing sugary beverages to heroine has been making headlines these past few days, but health experts disagree with some of its claims. They have spoken out and admitted that the infographic greatly exaggerates the effects that Coca-Cola has on the human body.
Niraj Naik, a former pharmacist from the UK, put together said infographic in an attempt to warn people that our bodies go through a dangerous process every time we drink a can of Coca-Cola.
According to him, the beverage has such a high sugar concentration that we should normally throw up within 10 minutes of consuming the beverage. However, the phosphoric acid de-intensifies the flavor of the drink and lets us keep it down.
Forty (40) minutes after consuming Coca-Cola, our blood pressure rises, our pupils dilate, our livers start pouring even more sugar in our bloodstreams, and 45 minutes after consuming Coca-Cola, dopamine production is increased and the brain’s pleasure center gets stimulated, creating an effect that resembles the one heroine has.
Naik also claimed that 60 minutes after consuming Coca-Cola, when we go to urinate, we not only eliminate zinc, magnesium and calcium, but also sodium, electrolyte and water containing nutrients that our bodies would have otherwise used to strengthen our teeth and bones, as well as hydrate our systems.
However, several health experts have given statements, saying that while sugary beverages such as Coca-Cola aren’t what they’d consider healthy products, they’re no where near as dangerous as Naik says either.
Heather Mangieri, spokesperson from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, gave a statement informing that if such beverages are consumed in moderation or on occasion, they should not endanger anyone’s health. She mentioned that a person’s “overall diet quality is what’s important”.
She went on to add that whether or not our liver starts pouring even more sugar in our bloodstream depends on whether or not the person consuming the beverage is active at the time. Whether or not the person has eaten is another contributing factor.
Mangieri explained that what happens after a person drinks one of these sugary beverages “relies heavily on whether the body is in need of energy, and what you do after consumption”.
She stressed that claiming sugar is automatically turned into fat “is an over-exaggeration for sure”, and she reminds everyone that dopamine is not only associated with heroine, but with other, more positive things as well – listening to music and having sex.
It’s also important to note that the less than positive effects of caffeine aren’t limited to Coca-Cola, but extend to any food and beverage that contain caffeine.
Image Source: grist.org
