Coca-Cola, a dangerous and carcinogenic drink

Updated article : 07/11/2017

Coca-Cola in figures

The Coca-Cola multinationale vend 1,8 billion drinks per day in more than 200 countries of the world ! Every second, 12 600 people buy a Coke product.

Although turnover Coke group declined slightly in recent years, in 2016, it was a more turnover of 39,7 billion euros either, all the same, progression 50 % compared to 2010. This multinational is the first global company in the beverage industry, who proposes more than 500 beverage brands sparkling and !

This gigantic firm, known in the entire world, is very far from perfect. We will look primarily to the mythical trademark drink and the effects it has on the human body.

Consumption of Coca-Cola in the world :

A French drinks on average 20,7 litres Coca-Cola per year while an American in average drinks 99,5 litres and a Mexican 105,9 litres (in 2014).

Ingredients of Coca-Cola :

Carbonated water ; sugar ; dye : Caramel E150d ; acidifier : phosphoric acid ; natural flavours (plant extracts), including caffeine.

A drink very (too much ?) sweet

A can of Coca-Cola (33 cl) contains 35 g sugar the equivalent of 7 sugar lumps !

A bottle of 2 L of Coca-Cola contains 212 g sugar the equivalent of 42,5 sugar lumps !

The classic Coca-Cola contains, as we see, a huge amount of sucrose. Too high-dose, sugar can have harmful effects on health and cause of Diabetes, ’obesity and tooth decays.

Diabetes

When it ingests a large amount of sucrose, the blood glucose level increases in the blood. The pancreas will secrete a hormone called “insulin”. Insulin is designed to store glucose mainly in muscles and liver that the organization still has a stable rate of glucose available (between 0.8 and 1 g/L for a man). When blood sugar is very high, the cells become accustomed to insulin making this last less effective. When sugar cannot be stored effectively is still too high (Hyperglycemia) in the blood, causing diseases such as diabetes.

Obesity

Excess sugar is one of the main causes of obesity. Talking to actual pandemic currently both the phenomenon increasingly momentum with our food too oily and too sweet. And after l’WHO (World Health Organization) in 2016, 39 % adults are overweight and 13 % are obese worldwide. In France, one in two adults is overweight according to a report from the health agency Public Health in France 2015.

A large study in the United States on 43 000 adults and 4 000 adolescents showed that drinking one or more soft drinks per day, increases 27 % the likelihood of becoming obese. In addition, 62 % adults who drink at least one soda per day are overweight or obese.

Caries

Sucrose is one of the elements the more cariogenic. Very sweet soft drinks consumption, like the Coca-Cola, increases in mouth bacterial activity, which releases the acid attacking the enamel of the teeth and eventually cause cavities. Because phosphoric acid, Coca-Cola is very acidic, It has a pH between 2,5 and 2,7. This acidity still decreases the pH of the mouth and particularly promotes the development of caries.

Phosphoric acid

Phosphoric acid which gives this sour taste to the Coca-Cola presents risks for health based studies.

Indeed, high levels of phosphoric acid promotes the kidney stones and the kidney function. U.S. researchers conducted a study on 500 people with kidney failure had be diagnosed. Comparing them with a control group and by collecting information on eating habits, more specifically the consumption of beverages, they saw qu’from two glasses of Coca-Cola daily risk to kidney failure were multiplied by two, the health reporter, Isabelle Eustache. She said that this was also the case with the Coca-Cola “Light” and that no association could be established for other carbonated drinks, who use to most citric acid.

Phosphoric acid is also known to slow digestion, promote bone diseases such as osteoporosis and reduce the absorption of calcium by the bones. If Coca-Cola consumption remains moderate and non-daily these problems should not appear.

Caffeine

Caffeine contained in a can (33 cl) varies between 33 mg (Classic Coca-Cola) and 42 mg (Coca-Cola Light). The dose which begins to feel the adverse effects of caffeine is located between 100 and 160 mg per day, knowing that the upper limit of daily caffeine consumption is 200 mg. There is thus a risk of absorbing a toxic dose of caffeine resulting in adverse side effects such as problems :

• Cardiovascular (high blood pressure, tachycardia) in extreme cases can lead to sudden death.
• urinary by flight minerals (magnesium, sodium, calcium) What can accentuate electrolyte disorders during effort, causing injury and decreasing recovery. The diuretic effect results meanwhile dehydration.
• Respiratory (brochodilatation)
• Digestive (stimulation of intestinal motor, Increased gastric acidity etc.)
• Behavioural neuro (anxiety, irritability, earthquakes etc.)