Coca-Cola, or Coke, is a popular carbonated soft drink sold in virtually every country in the world. It originally was intended as a health tonic in the late 1800s, but has since become a common companion with meals, especially fast food, and between meals as an energy booster thanks to its high sugar and caffeine content. The vast majority of health experts agree that a healthy diet does not include soft drinks of any kind, and research demonstrates they also might negatively impact your blood pressure.
Brief History
Coke, a registered trademark, is made by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia. The original recipe was formulated by John Pemberton in 1886 and sold as a health tonic because of its stimulant properties and carbonation, which was thought to promote better digestion, as cited in "Nutrition and Public Health." Coca-Cola eventually was bought by Asa Griggs Candler, whose marketing acumen led the company to dominance in the soft drink industry. The ingredients of Coke products have changed many times over the years.
Ingredients of Coke
The ingredients of a regular can of Coke made in the United States include carbonated water, sugar in the form of high-fructose corn syrup, caffeine, phosphoric acid, caramel color and "natural flavorings" that remain a company secret. A can of Coke is 355 ml and contains 39 g of carbohydrates from sugar, which is the equivalent of about 10 tsp. and equates to 140 calories. Coke also contains about 50 mg of sodium per can.
Health Effects
The negative health effects of consuming moderate to high levels of processed sugar are widespread and include obesity, increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, dental caries and addiction, according to the book "Human Biochemistry and Disease." Processed sugar, such as high-fructose corn syrup, is highly acidic and overwhelms the pancreas, which needs to secrete large amounts of insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Unlike complex carbohydrates that take some time to digest, simple sugars are quickly metabolized and absorbed into your bloodstream. High blood pressure often is associated with obesity and diabetes, but research shows that people with neither condition are at risk of high blood pressure from drinking soft drinks.
Soft Drinks and Blood Pressure
According to a British study published in a 2011 edition of the journal "Hypertension," people who drink more than one soft drink or sugar-sweetened beverage a day had higher blood pressure, and the more they consumed the greater the increase. The researchers studied 2,700 middle-age people in the U.S. and the U.K. and noted that the type of sweetener didn't make a difference, and those who drank more than one soft drink per day consumed almost 400 more calories than those who drank only one. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
References
- "Nutrition and Public Health"; Sari Edelstein; 2006
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "Hypertension"; Sugar-Sweetened Beverage, Sugar Intake of Individuals, and Their Blood Pressure; I.J. Brown et al.; February 2011
