According to Healthline, diet sodas were first introduced in the 1950s for people who suffered from diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure but these were then marketed to the general public as well.
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While most of us might consider Diet Coke to be healthier than regular Coke, experts have now found out that drinking Diet Coke can come with its own set of problems such as unwanted weight gain and the increased possibility of diabetes and heart diseases.
Effects of Diet Coke on the body
As per a report by Mirror, research published by a team of scientists in Current Atherosclerosis Reports talks of the probable link between consumption of foods and beverages containing non-nutritive sweeteners and type 2 Diabetes.
As per Express UK, another study of French adults has shown the link between consuming artificial sweeteners and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study was published in BMJ.
What Diet Coke does to the body in the first hour after consumption
Mirror also shared qualified pharmacist Niraj Naik’s (also known as The Renegade Pharmacist) infographic about how a person’s body is affected in the first hour after consuming Diet Coke.
He says firstly,
The phosphoric acid attacks the enamel in your teeth, while the artificial sweeteners like aspartame hit your system. Aspartame may trigger taste receptors and trick your body into thinking it has just processed sugar.
After 20 minutes, Naik says Coke can trigger insulin and the drinker's body switches to its 'fat storage mode.'
After 40 minutes, the caffeine and aspartame combination results in a short-term high for the drinker. He states,
The potentially deadly combination of caffeine and aspartame creates a short addictive high similar to the way cocaine works.
Excitotoxins are released which may exhaust your brain by overstimulating its neuroreceptors, especially if consumed on a regular basis.
After one hour, Naik says, the drinker will be left more hungry and thirsty which can then lead the person to reach for more junk food or sugary drinks, thereby continuing the cycle.
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