Why are Coca-Cola and all carbonated drinks harmful? Consequences of regular consumption of Coca-Cola

As soon as the summer heat sets in, the famous Coca-Cola advertisement returns to TV screens. The sight of a soft drink in a steamed glass makes you want to quickly enjoy its taste. Of course, there are many fans of the famous soda, but they often do not care whether Coca-Cola is harmful and what the consequences of its constant use may be.

What ingredients in cola are harmful?

It's been more than a century since the first bottle of Coca-Cola saw the light of day, and despite this, no one knows for certain what it was. real composition at this drink. The company keeps this information under lock and key, allegedly after the ingredients are made public, it will no longer be considered a monopolist. Even if we do not take into account the secret technology, those components that are known to the public, as they are indicated on the bottle, already cause significant harm to health.

1. A bottle of Coca-Cola contains your daily allowance of sugar. Moreover, for a long time, a sweetener – aspartame – has been used to make it. This amount of sugar provokes a sharp release of insulin into the blood, which can lead to pancreatic dysfunction and obesity.
2. At the end of the 18th century, cola contained only citric acid, but today the situation has changed. The manufacturer uses phosphoric acid to make the drink. This component can cause significant harm to the body, as it leaches calcium from it in large quantities. As a result, salt crystals form in the kidneys, which can soon turn into stones.
3. Another one not at all healthy ingredient Phenylalanine is an amino acid found in the sugar substitute aspartame. It slows down the production of serotonin, and this leads to depressive states, neuroses, and frequent mood swings.
4. Should we mention that cola contains caffeine? Compared to the components described above, it still does not cause as much harm. It has a stimulating effect and speeds up metabolism.

Many people think that the drink also contains cocaine. In fact, of course, this life-threatening poison is not contained in Coca-Cola. Where then does this name come from? For the first 17 years of cola's existence, it actually contained cocaine.

Initially, it was sold in pharmacies as a pain reliever for migraines, and no one suspected that there was a drug in the pleasant-tasting soda. However, in 1903 the composition had to be changed, since this component had already become known as a substance harmful to human health. At the moment, the drink contains only an extract of peeled coca leaves. The second part of the name comes from cola nut extract, which is also found in sweet soda.

How does Coca-Cola affect the body?

Drinking sweet carbonated drinks with food is very harmful, according to doctors. This can lead to obstruction of the outflow of bile, diseases of the pancreas and liver. When chilled Coca-Cola is ingested at the same time as food, the following occurs:

• The gastrointestinal tract cannot absorb such an amount of sugar that enters the body at one time and, logically, nausea and vomiting should occur, but phosphoric acid blocks these reactions;
• insulin is released into the blood - the ingestion of such an amount of sugar with food immediately leads to the replenishment of fat reserves;
• phosphoric acid and caffeine speed up metabolism and quickly move food from the stomach into the intestines in an undigested form, which starts the fermentation process.

Thus, the food is not properly processed and the person very quickly feels hungry again. Nutrients are absorbed in minimal doses, as the digestion process is accelerated significantly. Thirst is also quenched for a short time, since caffeine quickly removes fluid from the body, so you want to drink another bottle, and this is a direct path to obesity.

What can a cola drinker get sick with?

The media strongly warns against drinking Coca-Cola, as they have been discovered interesting facts when used for other purposes.

As an experiment, we tried to wash off rust with the drink and limescale and, who would have thought, but everything worked out! In addition, cola has been found to be an excellent stain remover and dishwashing detergent. After receiving such shocking information, many were convinced of this personally.

It’s scary to think how harmful cola is to the body if it cleans the most difficult to remove stains from surfaces and clothing. If you get seriously addicted to this drink, you may encounter the following ailments:

• chronic cholecysto-pancreatitis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• rapid weight gain, which gradually leads to obesity;
• stomach and duodenal ulcers;
• increased acidity and, as a result, gastritis;
• bone fragility and tooth decay;
• depression and nervousness;
• the risk of cancer, usually affecting the liver, pancreas and lungs.

In addition to the above harmful influences, Coca-Cola is credited with the development of sexual dysfunction in men and decreased reproductive function in women. There is some truth to this, since if a representative of either sex suffers from obesity, fertility decreases, and sexual function is suppressed due to hormonal imbalance, which is caused by metabolic disorders.

The conclusion suggests itself: Coca-Cola is not just useless - it is very harmful. Before buying a glass, it is better to think about the consequences and give preference to pure water or juice. The amount of harmful ingredients in cola is simply off the charts, so if you drink it, then only occasionally.

What is Coca-Cola? Is the harm of Coca-Cola confirmed and is there any benefit from it? What is its origin and how did the name of the sweet drink come about?

The drink Coca-Cola is over a hundred years old and is popular. The first cola was sold in a pharmacy in 1886 as a remedy for pain and nervous disorders, and it contained cocaine (Coca).

In 1903, the properties of the drug were studied and a decision was made to exclude this component from the composition.

Cola nut extract remained in the drink. Coca-Cola advertising creates the feeling that the soda improves mood, relaxes and brings celebration. But how does the drink actually work? Is it harmful or not?

How does Coca-Cola affect the body?

The harm and benefits of Coca-Cola are determined by its composition. They say that the true composition of the drink is kept secret and not disclosed. Thanks to laboratory research, it was possible to identify the main components. What effects do they have on the human body?

Cola composition:

1. Sucrose and the sweetener aspartyl phenylalanine sharply increase blood glucose levels, which impairs the functioning of the digestive system and promotes weight gain.
2. has a stimulating effect on mental and physical activity, increases heart rate. Promotes the removal of calcium, zinc, magnesium, sodium and water from the body.
3. Phosphoric acid is an inorganic compound that leads to the leaching of calcium and the accumulation of salt in the urinary tract.
4. Amino-phenylpropionic acid belongs to the class of aromatic amino acids. Disturbs the functioning of the central nervous system; leads to depression, nervous breakdowns and impulsivity.
5. Methyl hydroxide is a dangerous ether that worsens the condition of blood vessels and the heart.
6. Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid that provokes inflammatory skin diseases.
7. Sucralose is an intense sweetener that can cause allergies and decreased immunity.
8. Sodium cyclamate is a chemical sweetener that has strong carcinogenic properties.

Cola affects the functioning of the nervous, motor and urinary systems. Causes chronic liver and kidney diseases. Are there any benefits from Coca-Cola?

Are there any benefits from Coca-Cola?

The benefits of Coca-Cola are evident in its everyday use. Great content acids in the drink can clean rusty surfaces and deposits.

Benefits in everyday life:

1. Removes stains from clothes (from manganese, brilliant green, blood).
2. Removes grease from cast iron surfaces.
3. Removes scale and limescale deposits.
4. Gives a shiny look to metal.
5. It eats away clogs in sinks.
6. Cleans car parts from rust and oil traces.
7. Fights against harmful insects in agriculture.

Thanks to the citric acid in Coca-Cola, you can clean windows and microwave ovens. In winter, the drink can defrost ice on motorists' windshields.

The harm of cola is caused by its constant consumption. Most body systems are susceptible to negative influences. What will happen when frequent use cola?

Consequences of poisoning:

• Chronic diseases of the pancreas, biliary tract and kidneys;
• Damage to the endocrine system;
• Promotion blood pressure;
• Peptic ulcers gastrointestinal tract;
• Obesity;
• Chronic fatigue and panic attacks;
• Deterioration of bones, nails and teeth;
• Tachycardia;
• Addiction;
• Convulsive syndrome;
• Muscle weakness;
• Insomnia;
• Acne;
• Apathy and irritability;
• Risk of developing malignant neoplasms.

A sweet drink negatively affects the reproductive system of the body. Leads to impotence in men and infertility in women, as it disrupts hormonal levels and slows down metabolism. For children, Coca-Cola is poisonous, as it leads to the formation of dental caries, osteoporosis and obesity.

How does Coca-Cola affect the body?

Coca-Cola has negative effects. High sugar content (about two spoons per glass of drink) negatively affects the gastrointestinal tract and general condition.

Symptoms such as nausea and vomiting are actively blocked by phosphoric acid, and the drink drinker does not pay attention to them. But excess weight, skin rashes and worsening mood will be noticeable.

How much can you drink a day without harm?

Drink Coca-Cola no more than once a day, in a volume of three hundred milliliters (one and a half glasses). Constant consumption of soda is harmful to human health. Is it possible to reduce negative influence drink?

How to drink cola:

1. Soda must be cooled, so it exhibits less harmful properties.
2. Release the gas, this will reduce the discomfort in the stomach.
3. Drink in small sips or with a straw.
4. Give preference to a glass bottle.
5. Do not mix with alcoholic beverages and medications.

Under the influence high temperature Coca-Cola breaks down into methyl alcohol and formaldehyde. These compounds have toxic and carcinogenic properties.

Are there any differences between Pepsi and Coke?

At first glance, it seems that Pepsi and Coca-Cola are the same drinks. Are there any differences between them?

Initially, Coca-Cola was used as a pain-relieving drink, but Pepsi contained “pepsin” (a stomach enzyme) and improved digestion. There is an opinion that Pepsi contains no fat, but this does not mean that it is healthier than cola.

It is impossible to distinguish drinks by taste and smell. And according to statistics, cola is more often chosen among the two sodas.

Consequences of cola

Abuse of the drink leads to mental disorders, excess weight and bone deformation. A sweet, highly carbonated drink develops hypertension, pancreatitis and stomach ulcers.

The high acidity of the drink corrodes the mucous membranes of the esophagus and oral cavity, which provokes chronic diseases.

They cause irreparable harm to health, so it is better to give preference to clean water, fruit juices and compotes.

Video: what if you drink cola often

On January 31, 1893, entrepreneur Asa Griggs Candler registered the Coca-Cola trademark. For 122 years the recipe original drink has changed noticeably. The first Coca-Cola, invented by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in 1886 and sold in pharmacies as a cure for morphinism, neurasthenia, depression and digestive problems, consisted of sugar syrup, coca leaves (coca bush) and caffeinated kola nuts. By the end of the 19th century, it was discovered that cocaine was not the most innocent stimulant. They began to fight against its widespread use, so in 1903 cocaine was excluded from the drink. Nowadays, the exact formula of Coca-Cola is a trade secret. It is only known that it contains sugar, sugar coloring, phosphoric acid, caffeine, natural flavors And carbon dioxide.

Being one of the most valuable brands in the world (fourth place according to the latest Forbes estimate), Coca-Cola has been criticized more than once. From the latest news: since January 1, 2015, a law has been in force in the Vologda region that prohibits the sale of non-alcoholic tonic drinks containing caffeine, including cola, to persons under 18 years of age.

Is Coca-Cola so dangerous that we need to limit its consumption along with alcohol and tobacco? We have collected data from scientific studies that look at the effects of cola and other sweet carbonated drinks on human health.

Obesity, hepatic steatosis, metabolic syndrome

According to numerous studies, the main culprit in the modern obesity epidemic is not hamburgers and French fries, but sweet soda. Scientists led by George Bray, a professor at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center (USA), found that drinking a liter of soda every day for six months increases the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (a metabolic disorder in which fat is deposited in the abdomen and increases probability of development cardiovascular diseases and diabetes) and liver steatosis (fatty hepatosis, accumulation of fat in liver cells).

However, according to the Obesity Society of America, the extent to which drinking cola will affect your waistline depends on genetic factors. But there is no need to despair, the effect is reversible: giving up these drinks leads to weight loss.

Kidney diseases

In a large-scale joint study by scientists from Italy and the United States, led by Pietro Manuel Ferraro, it was shown that those who drank more than one serving of Coca-Cola per day had a 23% higher risk of developing kidney stones than those who consumed less than one serving per week. At the same time, those who preferred other types of sweet soda had an even higher risk – 33%. The study monitored the health of 194,095 people for eight years, during which time 4,462 cases of urolithiasis were recorded.

The risk of developing kidney disease was also high among those who drank soda with artificial sweeteners, while chronic kidney disease was less common among those who drank low-calorie Coca-Cola Light. The same study found that those who drank more than one cup of coffee per day had a 26% lower risk of developing kidney disease. Scientists reported that about 80% of kidney stones consisted of calcium oxalate, a salt of calcium and oxalic acid.

Drinking Coca-Cola leads to immediate removal of calcium from the body. Japanese scientists from Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences showed that just two hours after healthy subjects drank one can of Coca-Cola, the amount of calcium in their urine increased. This is due to the fact that Coca-Cola, like some other sodas, contains a lot of orthophosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4, used in high concentrations, for example, in dentistry for etching teeth) - it masks huge amount sugar and promotes the excretion of calcium. As a result, when consumed large quantity Such drinks lead to kidney disease and osteoporosis.

Coca-Cola, both regular and low-calorie, is a high-phosphate drink and is therefore contraindicated in patients with chronic renal failure. Such patients need a low-phosphate diet, since the kidneys cannot cope with removing phosphates from the body. High levels of phosphate in the blood (hyperphosphatemia) are associated with low calcium levels, a sharp drop in blood pressure, heart failure, and can be fatal. However, manufacturers of refreshing drinks and fast food often hide the true phosphate content, and as a result, people find it difficult to choose necessary products. As a survey of patients with chronic renal failure conducted by Japanese scientists led by Yoshiko Shutto showed, 93% were afraid of the high sugar content in Coca-Cola and other sodas, while only 25% realized that these drinks contain large amounts of phosphoric acid. acids. Almost half of the patients said they consumed 1-5 cans of soda per week, despite the fact that 78% of respondents were warned about the dangers of a high-phosphate diet.

Hypokalemia

A review by Vasilis Tsimihodimos and colleagues from the University of Ioannina Medical School in Greece shows that drinking large amounts of Coca-Cola can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). IN mild form it manifests itself as weakness, increased fatigue, muscle pain. When severe, this condition can lead to necrosis of the cardiac and skeletal muscles. Hypokalemia is caused by three components of Coca-Cola: glucose, glucose-fructose syrup and caffeine.

Coca-Cola contains a large amount of glucose (up to 110 grams/liter), excessive consumption of which can lead to osmotic diuresis (excretion of a large amount of urine with a high concentration of excreted substances) and the excretion of potassium from the body in the urine. In addition, large glycemic loads can lead to hyperinsulinemia (increased insulin levels in the blood), which in turn causes potassium to be redistributed into cells.

To sweeten Coca-Cola in the USA and Canada, glucose-fructose syrup is used: about 60% fructose and 40% glucose. When fructose and glucose are consumed in equal concentrations, special proteins facilitate their absorption in the intestines. But if there is more fructose than glucose, chronic osmotic diarrhea may develop (it occurs due to the high concentration of substances dissolved in the intestinal contents - in in this case, fructose) and potassium loss.

Coca-Cola contains between 95 and 160 mg of caffeine per liter. It is known that consuming caffeine in amounts of 180-360 mg can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood), due to potassium pumping into cells, potassium excretion by the kidneys, or a combination of these mechanisms.

Excessive production of sex hormones

Recently, MedNews wrote about a study by scientists from Harvard Medical School, the authors of which showed that drinking sweet soda promotes early puberty in girls . And according to a group of American researchers led by Karen Schliep, carbonated drinks with a lot of sugar affect the production of sex hormones in adult women. Study participants who drank more than one cup (240 ml) of sweet soda per day had a 16% increase in estrogen production compared to those who drank less sweet soda. Even small amounts of sweet soda consumption increases follicular estradiol production in premenopausal women. Increased level The female sex hormone estrogen is directly linked to the risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other diseases. The authors advise women to drink less sugary soda to avoid these diseases.

Bone and Teeth Health

According to data published in British Dental Journal, drinks with high acidity contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel. Such dental damage is not associated with caries - tooth enamel and dentin are destroyed, and most often all teeth are “affected”. The study involved 1149 adolescents aged 12-14 years. Teens who drank soda regularly were twice as likely to experience tooth decay, while those who drank four or more glasses of soda were five times more likely.

As we have already written, the consumption of tonic sweet soda is associated with the loss of calcium, and, as a result, the development of osteoporosis. The study, led by Professor Katherine Tucker from Tufts University, involved older adults - 1,413 women and 1,125 men. It turned out that drinking Coca-Cola (but not other carbonated drinks) reduces the strength of the hip bones in women. The authors attribute this effect to the presence of orthophosphoric acid.

Bisphenol AI phthalates

Drink packaging matters too. According to The Coca-Cola Company, a substance containing bisphenol A is used in the lining of aluminum cans, and plastic bottles made of PET - polyethylene terephthalate, which does not contain bisphenol A.

Bisphenol A is similar in structure to estrogens and can adversely affect the reproductive function of both women and men and provoke the development of tumors. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority once again reviewed its attitude towards bisphenol A and decided that it is not harmful to either adults or children, including in the womb. However, the agency called for a reduction in daily BPA intake from 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight to 4 micrograms/kg.

However, a comparison of the two types of packaging - glass bottles and aluminum cans - published in the magazine Hypertension scientists from Seoul University showed that drinks from cans help increase blood pressure and heart rate. Researchers attribute this effect to the presence of bisphenol A in the inner lining of aluminum cans. In addition, two hours after drinking such drinks, the amount of bisphenol A in the urine of the subjects increased 16 times. In another study published in Journal of Food Protection, the amount of bisphenol A in beer stored in aluminum cans has been shown to vary from 0.081 to 0.54 µg/L.

Phthalates, components of PET packaging, are also structurally similar to estrogens and may increase the risk of breast cancer and endocrine disorders. A study by Portuguese scientists showed that bottled water contains a small amount of phthalates and is not dangerous to human health. According to the results of Hungarian scientists, water in 0.5 liter PET bottles contains greatest number phthalates compared to water from two-liter bottles. According to Croatian researchers, in samples of soda stored in PET bottles, . It was noted that although this concentration does not officially pose a risk to human health, systematic consumption of products containing phthalates can lead to their accumulation in the body.

Questionable policy

Thiago Hérick de Sá from the School of Public Health at the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil) protested against the policies of fast food corporations such as The Coca-Cola company and McDonalds. According to the article “Does Coca-Cola promote physical activity", published in The Lancet in June 2014, these corporations are trying to prove that the obesity epidemic plaguing children around the world, and especially in developing countries (such as Brazil, India, China), is associated with a lack of physical activity, and not with consuming unhealthy foods and overly sugary drinks. According to Tiago Eric de Sa, the strategy of fast food giants includes not only sponsoring sports (in particular, The Coca-Cola company has been a sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1928), but also influencing some scientific research, and is reminiscent of the strategy of tobacco companies, the harm from whose products is more obvious and beyond doubt.

And yet you should not feel superstitious fear of red and white jars. If you have healthy kidneys and you like the taste and invigorating effect of Coca-Cola, you can easily afford to drink a can a week. Doctors recommend replenishing the calcium lost after drinking one can of Coca-Cola with a glass of milk. And don't forget that sweet soda is almost 10% sugar.

For health? The harm of Coca-Cola on the human body is not a myth: all carbonated drinks are harmful to the body, and sweet carbonated drinks are even more harmful. Unfortunately, teenagers and even small children often choose not to quench their thirst. clean water, A harmful drinks. Nowadays, they, like many other food products, contain real biological weapons of mass destruction - !

• Doctors' recommendations for drinking Coca-Cola and all carbonated drinks: people who already have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, those suffering from obesity, hepatitis, allergies, women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and young children should not drink them at all.

Why are carbonated drinks harmful?

All carbonated drinks contain carbon dioxide - carbon dioxide, which is harmful because

• accelerates the absorption of other harmful substances that enter the stomach with the drink;
• increases acidity and gas formation, resulting in heartburn, belching and bloating;
• over time, with its regular use with drinks, the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract become inflamed (and these are gastritis and colitis) up to ulcerative lesions.

Why is Coca-Cola harmful?

Coca-Cola has a history of more than 130 years, becoming the most popular carbonated drink on our planet, including in Russia. The composition of Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by a chemist, the owner of a pharmaceutical company in the USA. The drink was patented as a medicine for nervous system disorders and was sold only in pharmacies. 102 years later, Coca-Cola appeared in the USSR. Currently, Coca-Cola is sold in more than 200 countries around the world.

Composition of Coca-Cola

Initially, Coca-Cola had two main components: coca leaves (from which cocaine had already been isolated) and cola nuts (containing caffeine). At the very beginning of the 20th century, cocaine was no longer added to the drink, as a campaign against this drug was launched. But the kola nut remained in the drink: with its long-term use, men can develop impotence, and women - infertility (in the distant past, Indians chewed it during wars as a means to reduce potency). It’s easy to guess why Coca-Cola is harmful to the future of today’s children - as adults, they themselves risk being left without offspring.

Nowadays, thanks to the presence of acids in Coca-Cola, it has been used in production and at home. Cola is poured onto parts and machines to clean them of rust; it is used to remove scale from teapots; Cola is also used to remove urinary stones and limescale in toilets.

On modern bottles of classic Coca-Cola we can read the following list of ingredients: sugar, carbon dioxide (E290), dyes, phosphoric acid (E338), caffeine, citric acid(E330). Such a drink creates only a short-term feeling that a person has satisfied his need for water and soon he again wants a sweet fizzy drink... There are big doubts that this is the complete composition of the drink (in addition, there are claims that Coca-Cola contains a stimulant and) ...

But even these harmful substances are enough to seriously harm anyone, and especially a growing child’s body. Sweet carbonated drinks, including Coca-Cola, which contain at least four tablespoons of sugar in one glass, cause calcium deficiency and urolithiasis; lead to obesity diabetes mellitus and cancer; have a destructive effect on internal organs: on the pancreas, stomach, heart, liver, kidneys...

Citric (E330) and orthophosphoric (E338) acids

dissolve minerals. Their regular use threatens the destruction of tooth tissue, reducing the strength of nails and bones, and also has a detrimental effect on the kidneys. Kidney stones and renal colic appear due to the presence of phosphoric acid in carbonated drinks, which is added as an acidity regulator to almost all lemonades and colas.

Important! If you drink fizzy drink, it is better to drink it through a straw and not brush your teeth right away!

Phosphoric acid is also used to remove rust from metal surfaces; in dentistry - for removing enamel before filling teeth; in the aviation industry it is present in hydraulic fluids; in freezing units - as part of freons.

Caffeine

increases blood sugar levels and causes stimulation of the nervous system, which is bad for children. In addition, caffeine is addictive. In carbonated drinks its concentration is not too high, but carbon dioxide enhances its effect several times. Therefore, caffeine consumption by children may lead to them developing diabetes in the future.

Sodium benzoate (E211)

interacting with ascorbic acid (which is also very often present in carbonated drinks), this preservative turns into toxic benzene. May cause hyperactivity in children, and with prolonged exposure increases the risk of developing cancer. In allergy and asthma sufferers it can cause allergic reactions. In addition to this, it can damage human DNA and cause other serious diseases! Sodium benzoate was originally intended for use in aviation as a coating protectant for aluminum parts and for making fireworks.

We already know why regular Coca-Cola is harmful. This is poison. But Diet Coca-Cola, Cola Light and Cola Zero (in principle, these are the same cola, just different names) are ultra-poison! These “light” types of Coca-Cola, like other sweet carbonated drinks without sugar, contain various sugar substitutes. Although they reduce the number of calories in drinks, people still gain weight from them, even more than from regular Coca-Cola. In addition, lovers of sweet soda often wash down their food not with tea or plain water, but with a chilled drink. Therefore, food is digested in the stomach not for 2-4 hours, but only for 20 minutes and the feeling of hunger returns too quickly.

Sugar substitutes in light Coca-Cola:

• Xylitol (E967). Promotes the occurrence of kidney stones.
• Sorbitol (E420). Cause of headaches, seizures and asthma.
• Aspartame (E951). Genetically modified substance. When heated above 30 degrees, it decomposes into methanol and phenylalanine. This is what happens in the human body. It is very dangerous (it has even been called a biological weapon), especially for children, pregnant and nursing mothers, and for people with metabolic disorders. It causes and provokes rashes, seizures, depression, diabetes, obesity, joint pain, tuberculosis; severe disorders of memory, hearing, vision, touch; mental retardation, tumors and degenerative diseases of the brain; deaths.
• Sodium cyclamate (E952). There is evidence that it contributes to the development of cancer bladder, therefore prohibited for use in the USA. Also not recommended for pregnant women.
• Acesulfame potassium (E 950). A very harmful food additive, however, like all sugar substitutes. It is especially dangerous for children and pregnant women. Accumulates in the body and is not absorbed by it. Increases appetite. Causes dehydration, obesity, diabetes, brain disease and various other diseases.
  

In addition to the above, all sugar substitutes that are added to sweet carbonated drinks instead of real sugar cause hormonal imbalance, put a strain on the liver and can cause angioedema.

Why Coca-Cola and all carbonated drinks are harmful for children

Numerous publications have been published about the dangers of Coca-Cola. laboratory tests and the conclusion of these works is the same: the ingredients in Coca-Cola cause irreparable harm to human health! And to a greater extent, Coca-Cola and all carbonated drinks are harmful to the health of children. Doctors believe that if an adult regularly drinks Coca-Cola, then he will cause great harm to your health. But if a child drinks cola regularly, then he is healthy destroys. A growing body requires a lot of different useful substances. They are the guarantee and foundation of his health in the future. But if a child consumes such poisonous products as Coca-Cola, it becomes impossible to grow up as a healthy person.

Take care of the health of your children and refuse when asked to buy them a Coca-Cola or any other carbonated drink. Teach them to think about their health and not to succumb to annoying advertising offering dangerous products. Teach children about nutritional supplements; that almost all of them are made from chemicals; that they undermine health and lead to terrible diseases. Children must understand that with every glass of soda, with every pack of chips, the threat to their health grows like a snowball!

2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary Coca-Cola packaging. The world famous drink Coca-Cola is over 120 years old. Interestingly, the drink was invented by the American pharmacist John Pemberton as medicine“for any nervous disorders” and the first portions were sold for five cents per glass. The powerful promotion of this drink on the international market has led to the fact that it is now produced and sold in more than 200 countries around the world. Every second, 8,000 glasses of this drink are drunk around the world.

If all the Coca-Cola produced was distributed in bottles to everyone on the planet, each of us would receive 1,500 bottles. At the same time, one of the most expensive brands, Coca-Cola, is a sponsor of the sports and Olympic movements. Suffice it to say that back in 1928, this company acted as an official partner of the Olympic Games in Amsterdam, and in 1980 - in our country during the Olympics.

Despite these interesting facts, the use of this drink causes a lot of debate, and the history of its creation and use is shrouded in many myths and legends. Housewives use it in everyday life to clean the bathroom and kitchen, and motorists use it as an anti-corrosion agent that eats away rust on battery terminals. In some eastern countries There is information about the use of Coca-Cola by farmers as an insecticide to kill insects in the fields. Despite such facts, millions of people continue to drink this drink around the world. The name “Coca-Cola” has become a household name and is associated with a refreshing brown drink. But this is all lyrics. Here I will add my fly in the ointment.

In writing this article, I wanted to introduce readers to sources from respected scientific journals about research into the effects of Coca-Cola on human health. But the paradox is that over the 120-year history of the drink there were no scientists who would illuminate this problem. In my opinion, the reason for this is obvious. Let me emphasize once again that the Coca-Cola brand is on the list of the most expensive brands in the world, and in some years it was even in first place among Microsoft and Toyota. But the history of the Coca-Cola brand also has its unfortunate moments. In 1999, numerous cases of schoolchildren calling to medical institutions. They all drank Coca-Cola at school and experienced abdominal discomfort, nausea, malaise and headache. Some patients had more severe neurological symptoms, such as ataxia, seizures, confusion, paresis, double vision, and memory impairment. (B. Nemery, "The Coca-Cola incident in Belgium", Food and Chemical Toxicology 40 (2002) 1657–1667). The Coca-Cola Company admitted then that it had some problems with product quality in this country. Back in 1999, the sale of this drink was banned for some time in Belgium, France and other European countries, which was even announced on television. Years have passed, and now almost no one remembers this incident, and the drink is consumed in excessive quantities. It is especially popular among children and teenagers - and this is a global problem.

If we talk about the composition of Coca-Cola, it is still believed that original recipe This drink is known only to two people from the management team, is stored in a special jar and is a trade secret. To date, only a few ingredients are known, which are indicated by the manufacturer on the label. In addition to sugar and water, it contains a lot of chemicals.

But let's start with the sugar content in this refreshing drink. And the sugar content in Coca-Cola is 10.2 g per 100 g. For comparison, a teaspoon contains 5 g Sahara. Now do a simple experiment - try diluting 4 tablespoons of sugar in 200 grams of water (this is a regular drinking glass) - this is exactly how much sugar is contained in Coca-Cola. Even a healthy person cannot drink this and a gag reflex immediately occurs. However, the manufacturer here found a way out of this; he added orthophosphoric acid to the drink. Acid, in turn, seems to extinguish sweet taste drink On the packaging it is designated as acidity regulator E-338, which is officially not a carcinogen.

At the same time, many doctors are confident that phosphoric acid in large quantities not only destroys tooth enamel, but also has a negative effect on the stomach. And if you consider that 60% of the world's population suffer from gastritis in one form or another, then for such people drinking Coca-Cola is comparable to drinking acetic acid in pure form. In children who consume Coca-Cola excessively, orthophosphoric acid can cause leaching of calcium from bone tissue and lead to musculoskeletal diseases. When you drink Coca-Cola, the body tries to neutralize phosphoric acid with calcium contained in bone tissue. Calcium reacts with it and the acid seems to dissolve it, that is, you deliberately destroy calcium in your body.

So, after a crazy dose of sugar with Coca-Cola enters the human body, a sharp jump in insulin levels occurs. But insulin is the main fat-forming hormone, and when it is in excess, the liver begins to convert glycogen into fat. Thus, drinking Coca-Cola is a direct path to obesity. In addition, over time, such a dose of sugar becomes simply necessary for the body - thus another addiction arises. The famous champion for drinking Coca-Cola is the USA, where the number of people suffering overweight makes up 60% of the total population. Even during the Second World War, “every American serviceman could buy a bottle of Coca-Cola for 5 cents, no matter where he was, and no matter how much it cost the company,” this was the order issued by the head of the Coca-Cola Company. These unique “front-line 100 grams” were supposed to maintain the morale of American soldiers. Thus, all of Europe, Japan, the countries of Africa and Asia tried Coca-Cola during the war. After the war, Coca-Cola production doubled. Today, just like 70 years ago, Americans consume gigantic amounts of carbonated soft drinks, including Coca-Cola.

The independent American consumer protection organization Center for Science and the Public Interests (CSPI) conducted a study on the effects of Coca-Cola on the human body. (https://www.cspinet.org/new/pdf/liquid_candy_final_w_new_supplement.pdf) This study found that drinking Coca-Cola increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as kidney stones. In addition to sugars and acids, the caffeine content of Coca-Cola is also a concern. The article provides facts that high content caffeine can be addictive and addictive. In America, Coca-Cola is advertised and sold almost everywhere: in stores, restaurants, gas stations, museums, and even in schools. The Coca-Cola Company spends approximately $700 million in media advertising every year.

Currently, many US states are actively fighting against advertising and the sale of it in schools and public places. But despite this, many famous people advertise Coca-Cola, claiming that there is nothing harmful in it - 90% water, 10% sugar and zero calories. In 1998, M. Douglas Ivester, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola, said: “Drink plenty of fluids: Drink at least eight glasses of fluid a day, and even more when you exercise. In fact, our product is quite healthy. Drinking fluids is key to health. Coca-Cola makes a great product because it encourages people to drink more and more fluids."

One of the advertising solutions of the Coca-Cola company was the invention of the “Coca-Cola light”. “It only took two years for the new brand to take first place in the world among low-calorie soft drinks. Now Coca-Cola light is one of the five most popular drinks in the world, and is sold in more than 150 countries. Coca-Cola light is low-calorie, it contains only 0.2 kcal per 100 ml of product, but still has the same great taste.” This is a quote from the official website of Coca-Cola in Russia. Here again, the manufacturer is silent about what replaced sugar in this drink with a “great taste.” We are talking about a sugar substitute, food additive E951 or aspartame. By the way, it is added to one degree or another to many carbonated drinks, candies and sweets. Aspartame 200 times sweeter than sugar and quite cheap. In the human body, it decomposes into two compounds: methanol and amino acids.

Methanol is formed in small quantities in the human body as a result of metabolism. In large doses, methanol is a mutagenic substance and a dangerous poison, since it is very well absorbed and mixes with water. Ingestion of 5-10 ml of methanol leads to poisoning and can lead to blindness and even death. Scientists cannot yet determine how much Coca-Cola you need to drink to exceed the dangerous level of methanol. However, there is some evidence that aspartame causes the development of malignant tumors. Researchers from the Italian Ramazzini Foundation have received evidence that eating aspartame can lead to the development of lymphoma, leukemia, kidney cancer and peripheral nerve cancer. Clinical studies were conducted on 1800 rats. Even 20 milligrams of aspartame per kilogram of body weight can lead to irreversible changes. Coca-Cola light contains approximately 180 milligrams of aspartame per 245-milliliter bottle. In addition, the use of aspartame, as it were, deceives our body and stimulates appetite.

Manufacturers are doing everything they can to keep up the pace of Coca-Cola sales. It is advertised by many famous people, claiming that there is nothing harmful in it - 90% water, 10% sugar and zero calories. In fact, this is just a marketing ploy, and Coca-Cola poses a serious health hazard due to the fact that it contains various additives, which we are not even aware of. They are not listed on the label, they are not talked about on radio or television. One of these components is hydroxymethylfurfural, an intermediate product of the decomposition of sugars. It is formed during the so-called Maillard chemical reaction. It is what gives Coca-Cola its brown color. It is also called sugar caller dye or E-150 dye. The international organization JECFA has established acceptable daily consumption E-150 up to 200 mg/kg. Until now, discussions and debates about the safety of this additive are taking place on the sidelines of the international chemical safety organization IPCS. The carcinogenic effect of this component has been known since 1995. Then an article was published in the journal Biochem Biophys Res Commun (209 (3): 996-1002, 1995). The authors described the process of metabolization and activation of hydroxymethylfurfural through sulfonation of its allylic residue with a hydroxyl functional group. In support of this idea, the authors found a direct mutagenic effect of hydroxymethylfurfural on the liver of rats. Also in 2008, the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology showed the carcinogenic effects of hydroxymethylfurfural on mouse populations.

According to the American Consumer Protection Organization (CSPI), a study of the composition of Coca-Cola and Pepsi showed very high levels of a known carcinogen - 4-methylimidazole. This substance is used in the production of dyes and can cause cancer. (http://cspinet.org/new/201203051.html). According to CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson, “We collected samples of Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, and Dr Pepper from Washington. These products contained 145 to 153 micrograms (mcg) of 4-methylimidazole in two 0.33" cans. At the same time, the permissible level of 4-methylimidazole in products is 29 mg, that is, the content of this dangerous substance is 5 times higher than its level. CSPI estimates that 4-methylimidazole in Coca-Cola and Pepsi may be responsible for approximately 15,000 cancers in the US population.

Do you still have the urge to drink Coca-Cola? Of course, you say, the temptation to buy a can of this drink is very great, especially now in the heat. “The most delicious, most invigorating, most festive, most real” drink, Coca-Cola, beckons and attracts with its taste. But as I said at the time English writer Jonathan Swift, “Whoever begins to walk with confidence will end in doubt, and he who begins his journey in doubt will end in confidence.” Perhaps, after reading this article, you will also begin to doubt the safety of drinking Coca-Cola and will look for some other evidence-based literary sources. Perhaps someone will start looking for an alternative to this drink - and will pay attention to mineral waters, will brew natural herbs or drink chilled green tea, compotes and jelly. Remember that by drinking Coca-Cola, especially in public places, you are setting an example for children and adolescents. They are still young and cannot fully appreciate all the harm that drinking Coca-Cola can cause to their health.