A British pharmacist has created a Coca-Cola infographic that shows the physical and mental effects on the human system during the first hour after consuming a can of Coke. The information graphic includes various effects of drinking the fizzy soft drink related to the side-effects of ingesting sugar and caffeine contained in the world-famous beverage.
Niraj Naik is the founder of the website therenegadepharmacist.com. He created the infographic based on an article by health writer Wade Meredith.
Naik's graphic reveals some disturbing facts about the world's top-selling soft drink. It explains that the human body takes in 10 full tablespoons of sugar within the first 10 minutes of drinking a Coke, according to The Market Business. That is 100 percent higher than the recommended daily allowance.
It also explains why humans do not feel nauseous or like vomiting from the beverage's sky-high sugar content. That is due to the phosphoric acid, which reduces the flavor.
About 20 minutes after downing a soda other issues arise. They include blood sugar spikes, insulin production, and the liver's conversation of sugar into fat, according to Tech Times.
At 40 minutes, the body's tissues absorb the drink's caffeine. Physical reactions include pupil dilation and blood pressure increases, while the brain experiences a "high" because a certain depressant is blocked.
Then 45 minutes after consuming the sugary drink, the human body produces dopamine (chemical released by nerve cells). The pleasurable feelings are like those that heroin users experience.
One full hour after drinking a Coca-Cola, the person's metabolism surges. Meanwhile, calcium levels drop, and excess sugar is released through urine.
Finally, a sugar crash happens, causing the Coke drinker to become irritable. The body then flushes out electrolytes that it should have used for nutrients.
Some websites challenge the science included in the original article and infographic. For example, BuzzFeed argued that some of the claims regarding topics such as sugar and caffeine were either exaggerated or completely wrong.
The Coca-Cola Company was listed fourth in Forbes' list of 2015 Most Valuable Brands, with a market value of $179.9 billion (May 2015). This year the iconic "Coke bottle" celebrates its 100th anniversary.