Scientists have been researching for a long time whether Coca-Cola is harmful to health. We know many myths about this drink, some say that it contains such components that bring irreparable harm to the body. For example, many have heard that the drink contains cola nut - one of the main components, and it adversely affects the health of the reproductive system, causing impotence and infertility. This nut was previously grown only in America, and the Indian warriors used it to relieve sex drive, which prevented a productive war. In this article you will find out if Coca-Cola is actually harmful and why.
Composition of the drink
Manufacturers of the world's most popular Coca-Cola still do not disclose the full composition of the drink, the recipe is under the strictest seal of secrecy. But people are already flying into space, so is this composition really a secret to us?
Many studies of the drink were conducted, and scientists were able to almost completely recreate the chemical composition. We found out which of the components Coca-Cola contains. Is this soda harmful? Knowing its chemical composition, we can only assume what changes can occur in the body of a living creature.
In 1886, the most popular drink to this day, called Coca-Cola, was born. Whether this soda is harmful to the body, people did not think then. In its original composition, coca leaves were present, and this is a drug that destroys organs and is very addictive. Today, this ingredient is not in the composition, since it is prohibited by the law of many countries.
The modern Coca-Cola has clove oil, citric acid and vanillin. There is nothing wrong with this, it seems. But, in addition to these ingredients, sugar and caffeine are found in huge quantities, which adversely affect the work of the cardiovascular system, causing many diseases, which we will discuss in the future of this article. A reasonable question arises: “Is Coca-Cola Zero harmful?”, Because, according to the manufacturer, there is no sugar in such a soda. Yes, this mitigates the harmful effects on the body, but does not cancel caffeine. In addition, there are other components hazardous to health, these are:
- Carbon dioxide. Used in soda as a preservative. It has a teratogenic effect on the organism of a living creature, which causes a decrease in reproductive activity.
- Carcinogen E-950 - a component harmful to the body. Methyl alcohol is part of this carcinogen, and it negatively affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system. There is also aspartic acid, and it negatively affects the functioning of the central nervous system.
- Aspartame, or E-951, is a dangerous substance for humans. When heated above 25 degrees, it decomposes into methanol, formaldehydes and phenylalanine - these substances are deadly!
The answer is obvious to those who are wondering if it is harmful to drink Coca-Cola every day. If you drink a glass, another time a month or less, then the changes in the body will not be noticeable. If you abuse this delicious soda, you should think about your health.
Is it harmful to drink Coca-Cola at all? Let's see what diseases a person faces if you drink often.
Tooth decay
The harmful effects of carbonated, sugar-saturated drinks on teeth have long been proven. Phosphoric acid acts on tooth enamel like an electrolyte - acid from car batteries (anyone who has ever burned her or burned her clothes will understand the seriousness of the situation). Of course, you won’t be able to feel the charm of influence on the teeth from one glass, but phosphoric acid is harmful to enamel even in small amounts. When thinking about whether Coca-Cola is harmful, consider the harm of such sugar-saturated drinks.
This soda is especially dangerous for baby milk teeth. There are cases when the child had to completely eliminate the teeth destroyed by the drink.
The caramel dye, which is part of the composition, changes the shade of the teeth, and this should be remembered by lovers of snow-white smiles, even those who prefer soda with a Zero note.
Obesity
People who abuse Coca-Cola notice that the clothes are getting smaller. We hasten to grieve, this is not a poor-quality fabric that narrows after washing, but a banal excess weight, which is deposited when a large amount of sugar is consumed.
One liter of the drink contains 115 grams of sugar, which when counted per glass will be equal to 40 grams - this is 8 teaspoons, which is considered the daily norm for an adult. It’s not enough to drink a glass of drink, because then you will want more, because sweet soda only increases thirst.
"Coca-Cola Zero" will not save you from obesity, because instead of sugar it contains a substitute - aspartame. It provokes the deposition of excess fat mass, leads to depression, causes anxiety and migraines, can cause blindness.
First, the abdomen will be rounded, then the hips, cheeks and chest. Is Coca-Cola harmful to a figure? The clear answer is yes.
High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
The huge caffeine content in this soda nullifies all attempts to start a healthy lifestyle, to stop drinking coffee and smoking. Even with moderate and low physical exertion, the pressure will steadily increase. As a result of such jumps, a cardiovascular disease can develop, which will lead to hypertension, heart attack, stroke, and other life-threatening ailments.
If, against the background of taking a drink, you notice poor health, an increased pulse, then give it up completely. Refusal from Coca-Cola will help bring pressure to normal, to cope with the problem of excess weight.
Is Coca-Cola harmful to health if you drink it in moderate doses and rarely? Like coffee, the drink can be consumed, but only in reasonable portions.
Infertility
As already mentioned earlier, the composition of the drink includes substances that adversely affect the reproductive activity of the body. But have there been studies that have proven this? Perhaps these substances are so few that you have to drink a barrel of Coca-Cola to become infertile? Is Coca-Cola badly harmful? Studies were conducted on volunteers, men and women under the age of 30 years - the very age for children. And what was revealed?
- In men who drank a liter or more of this sweet drink per day, the number of sperm production decreased by 30%.
- Caffeine contained in soda has had a detrimental effect on the fertility of women. The probability of egg fertilization has decreased, the risk of premature birth and miscarriage at an early date has increased.
- In addition, the plastic from which the packaging for the drink is made is also dangerous. The substances contained in it violate reproductive activity.
If you already buy soda, then choose in a tin or glass jars.
Depression
“Coca-Cola" is a drink that tones the body, but with constant use of it in large quantities there is a huge risk of developing mental illness.
In 2013, a series of studies were conducted by the National Institute of Health in the homeland of the drink that proved the relationship between depression and dependence on caramel color soda.
Incidentally, the risk of depression and other unstable mental disorders is many times higher among diet lovers of Coca-Cola.
Brittle bones
Unfortunately, people remember the need to take care of bones only at an advanced age, when the damage done to them is so great that it can no longer be replaced. Coca-Cola, with stable use, washes mineral substances out of bone tissue, reducing their density. The hip area is particularly affected, and people who abuse the drink are more prone to fractures and osteoporosis.
Skin problems and premature aging
Is Coca-Cola harmful to the skin and how? Fans of this sweet drink are simply plagued by problems with the epidermis, these are:
- acne eruptions and acne;
- allergic reactions in the form of rashes and redness;
- premature aging.
The last point can be explained by the presence of a large amount of caffeine in the drink - an alkaloid. This substance triggers the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol, the stress hormone. And the production of a hormone that supports the youth of the body and longevity - dehydroepiandrosterone, leads to the fact that a person looks much older than his age.
Oncological diseases
In the composition of the drink, in addition to caramel dye, there is a component designated as E-150, which contains 4-methylimidazole. This substance releases free radicals that provoke the division of atypical cells in the body.
In addition, Coca-Cola contains cyclamate, a substance banned in many countries. Cyclamate is harmful in that it destroys healthy cells in the body.
Most often, lovers of the drink described in the article suffer from malignant tumors of the thyroid gland, liver and lungs.
Harm to the kidneys
If you drink more than two servings of Coca-Cola per day, then the risk of a disease called nephropathy increases. The course of the disease is chronic, and no treatment has yet been devised for it. Nephropathy progresses, leading to kidney failure and even the need for transplantation.
The cause of the disease becomes the phosphoric acid already familiar to us. The kidneys, when it is removed from the body, literally work for slaughter.
Diabetes
Drinking a glass of drink, you sharply increase blood sugar. After 20-30 minutes, its peak in the blood sets in, people feel a surge of energy and strength. But after an hour the euphoria turns into fatigue, irritability, there is a strong thirst - sugar dropped sharply.
Such differences lead to low insulin susceptibility, which is fraught with the development of diabetes mellitus. Even 1 glass of Coca-Cola per day increases the risk of developing the disease by 30%.
Digestive system
Surely everyone heard that with the help of Coca-Cola, even the most dirty and rusty surfaces can be cleaned. Unfortunately, this drink is more suitable for cleaning than for eating.
Soda increases the acidity of the stomach, which with constant consumption leads to the development of gastritis, ulcers, diseases of the pancreas. This drink is forbidden to people who already have any problems with the digestive system.
We figured out whether Coca-Cola is harmful. But to answer the question of whether to drink or not to drink, only you can!