Is Coke Bad For You?
Also Known As: Coca-Cola
Short answer
Yes, drinking Coke is bad for you - it increases your risk of chronic disease, damages your bones and teeth, and provides almost no nutrients.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
As you may have heard, drinking Coca-Cola is bad for you.
There's strong evidence that Coca-Cola leads to osteoporosis and higher rates of broken bones. This effect is particularly pronounced in women. It's been described several times in the literature - in a 1994 study that found adolescent girls who drank more Coke were at higher risk of broken bones and in 2000 and 2003 studies which duplicated the effect. A study from the Tufts school of medicine found that drinking Coca-Cola was linked to higher rates of osteoporosis in elderly women. Others have found that drinking caffeinated beverages like Coke increased the amount of calcium that's passed through urine.
Coke is full of a sugar called fructose. It's different than glucose, a simple sugar found in many foods that's broken down quickly and easily into energy by your metabolism. Fructose is not so easily digested - it's broken down in the liver, and has an effect on your body's fat production. Too much fructose at once, and your body will convert the extra fructose into fat for storage. A 12 ounce can of Coke contains 140 grams of sugar - just ten grams shy of your recommended intake of added sugar for the entire day, without any fiber whatsoever to slow down the absorption of that sugar. More than half of that sugar is fructose, and most of it is stored as fat.
Coca-Cola, like many sugary sodas, also increases your long-term risk of developing certain diseases. Drinking one 12-ounce can of Coke can increase your risk of dying from heart disease by 33%. Drink two, and you may up your chance of developing diabetes by as much as a quarter. The fat stored from the fructose in Coke ends up in your blood vessels, putting you at risk of hypertension and high blood pressure.
There's also an effect on your teeth. Coke is very acidic, and that acidity wears away at the enamel that protects your teeth. The sugar in Coke is also a boon for the bacteria which live in your mouth. They'll multiply, and so will the acidic byproducts that they create, which will further degrade the lining of your teeth.
Lastly, Coke receives it's unique brown tinge from an ingredient known as caramel color. While much controversy is still surrounding this coloring agent, rat studies have shown the ingredient to cause cancer. California has further added the ingredient to their list of chemicals known to cause cancer.
Possible short-term side effects
- hyperactivity
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increased blood pressure
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increased heart rate
Possible long-term side effects
- weight gain / obesity
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diabetes
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cardiovascular issues
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kidney failure
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decreased metabolism
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tooth decay
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weakened bones
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addiction
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cancer
Ingredients to be aware of
Benefits
Healthier alternatives
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