Cola contains a lot of sugar and calories, and the caffeine in this sweet drink may not be beneficial for everyone.
But how dangerous is it really? Hardly anyone thinks about what happens in the body when you simply drink a glass of cola.
How Much Sugar is in a Can of Cola
A can of cola contains about ten teaspoons of sugar that enters the body when consumed. This can have a negative impact on health. However, the phosphoric acid in the drink helps to mitigate this effect.
20 Minutes After Cola: Blood Sugar Levels Spike
“The body reacts to such a large amount of sugar in about 20 minutes. Blood sugar levels rise rapidly, after which a large amount of insulin is released. The liver starts to work actively, converting the excess sugar from the cola into fat,” explains endocrinologist Olga Yuryeva for MedikForum.
40 Minutes: The Effects of Caffeine
Caffeine is fully absorbed in about 40 minutes. During this time, blood pressure may slightly increase and the pupils may dilate.
Excess sugar enters the bloodstream through the liver.
“In the brain, adenosine receptors — a substance involved in energy metabolism — are blocked. This prevents you from feeling tired.”
45 Minutes: A Feeling of Happiness
You feel your best about 45 minutes after consuming cola, as this is when dopamine is released. This neurotransmitter controls physical and mental processes.
“Dopamine activates the reward center in the brain, similar to opioids. This creates a feeling of happiness.”
60 Minutes: Fatigue Returns
“About an hour later, the negative effects of cola become apparent: phosphoric acid binds magnesium, calcium, and zinc.”
These substances are essential for the body, including for bone formation. The excess sugar in cola increases calcium excretion through urine.
Additionally, the diuretic effect of caffeine comes into play. You find yourself visiting the bathroom more often, and along with calcium, you lose magnesium, zinc, sodium, electrolytes, and water. Due to the lack of important nutrients, you start to feel sluggish. Meanwhile, the blood sugar level, which initially spiked, now drops rapidly.
Cola with Sweeteners? It’s Not Any Better
Of course, this list primarily concerns sweet “regular” cola. Currently, there are various versions of caffeinated lemonade that contain no sugar but include sweeteners. However, they also spark controversy.
“There are studies showing that sweeteners can contribute to obesity, and blood sugar levels also spike sharply since the brain receives a ‘sweet’ signal despite the absence of sugar. Thus, sugar-free versions of cola are not actually healthier.”
