19/02/2020
COKE ZERO
Many questions have been raised about Coke Zero and here are some things you need to know..
-Coke Zero, which has recently been re branded as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, is marketed as a healthier version of the original sugar-sweetened beverage, Coca-Cola Classic.
-It contains zero calories and sugar while providing the signature Coca-Cola flavor, making it an appealing drink among those trying to reduce their sugar intake or control their weight.
-This article takes a detailed look at Coke Zero and explains whether it’s a healthy choice.
-To sweeten this beverage without adding calories, artificial sweeteners are used. This is where our concern comes in;
-Coke Zero uses several common artificial sweeteners, including aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Coke Zero and diabetes risk
-Coke Zero is sugar-free. However, the sugar substitutes it contains may not necessarily be a healthier option for people looking to reduce their risk of diabetes.
1. What are Artificial Sweeteners?
-Artificial sweeteners are synthetic chemicals that stimulate the sweet taste receptors on the tongue. They are often called low-calorie or non-nutritive sweeteners.
-Artificial sweeteners give things a sweet taste, without any added calories.
2. What Causes Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels to Rise?
-We have tightly controlled mechanisms to keep our blood sugar levels stable .
-Blood sugar levels increase when we eat foods containing carbohydrates.
-When digested, carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to an increase in blood sugar levels.
-When our blood sugar levels rise, our body releases insulin.
-Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key. It allows blood sugar to leave the blood and enter our cells, where it can be used for energy or stored as fat.
-But small amounts of insulin are also released before any sugar enters the bloodstream. This response is known as cephalic phase insulin release. It is triggered by the sight, smell, and taste of food, as well as chewing and swallowing.
-If blood sugar levels drop too low, our livers release stored sugar to stabilize it. This happens when we fast for prolonged periods, like overnight.
-There are theories on how artificial sweeteners may interfere with this process.
⦁ The sweet taste of artificial sweeteners triggers cephalic phase insulin release, causing a small rise in insulin levels.
⦁ Regular use changes the balance of our gut bacteria. This could make our cells resistant to the insulin we produce, leading to both increased blood sugar and insulin levels.
3. Do Artificial Sweeteners Raise Blood Sugar Levels?
-Artificial sweeteners won't raise your blood sugar levels in the short-term. Underline short term. This means long term use might have a great impact on our blood glucose levels.
-So, a can of diet coke, for example, won't cause a rise in blood sugar. However, there are studies in humans that has suggested a link between aspartame and changes to gut bacteria hence, It is theoretically possible that artificial sweeteners can raise blood sugar levels by negatively affecting gut bacteria.
4. Do Artificial Sweeteners Raise Insulin Levels?
-Sucralose and saccharin (Artificial sweeteners) may raise insulin levels in humans.
-Acesulfame-K raises insulin in rats, but no human studies are available.
5. Can You Use Artificial Sweeteners if You have Diabetes?
-Diabetics have abnormal blood sugar control due to a lack of insulin and/or insulin resistance.
-In the short-term, artificial sweeteners won't raise your blood sugar levels, unlike high intakes of sugar. They are considered safe for diabetics.
-However, the health implications of long-term use are still debatable.
Therefore, we can all conclude that not enough study has been done to determine the 100% effects of coke zero on a diabetic. However, always remember prevention is better than cure, thus anything that might impact negatively on your health should be a no-go zone.
