Diet Coke is low in calories, but experts say its health risks are very high, just in the first hour of consumption.
The sugar-free soda is a cult classic, thanks to its weight-friendly advertising, even as dentists warn it can erode enamel and kick the body into “fat storage mode.”
“Diet Coke, like other carbonated drinks, is very acidic,” Dr Raj Juneja, of the Face Teeth Smile Dental Clinic in England, told The Sun.
“The carbonation process involves the addition of carbonic acid, which gives the drink its characteristic effervescence,” Juneja continued. “The acidity of Diet Coke can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel over time.”
Weakened enamel can “become more susceptible to decay and sensitivity,” he noted.
Dr. Khaled Kasem, an Impress orthodontist, who has locations around the world, recommends sipping the beverage through a straw if you must consume it and drink water afterwards.
He says the body’s “fat storage mode” kicks in within 20 minutes of drinking a soft drink because insulin production kicks in.
But other dental experts say that insulin production depends on the artificial sweetener used and the presence of diabetes.
“Our body releases insulin in response to food, particularly when those foods contain carbohydrates, and it helps those nutrients get into our bodies,” said Dr. Matthew Snelson, a researcher at the Monash School of Biological Sciences and the Victorian Heart. Hospital, he told The Sun.
“Insulin plays a role in helping our bodies store fat. There is no evidence that the types of sweeteners used in Diet Coke (specifically: aspartame, acesulfame K) affect insulin,” she added.
Artificial sweeteners have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as diabetes, according to previous research.
Low-sugar sweeteners have long been touted to help people lose weight, but in May, the World Health Organization said the additives are not recommended for weight loss.
Types of artificial sweeteners include sucralose, saccharin, and aspartame, the latter of which is found in Diet Coke.
Just 40 minutes after taking the first sip of Diet Coke, experts say the drink, which contains 46 milligrams of caffeine in a 12-ounce can, triggers a “brief addictive high.”
At 60 minutes, caffeine can increase thirst.
“Although Diet Coke contains less caffeine than regular Coke, it still contains a moderate amount,” Juneja explained. “Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can contribute to dehydration.”
But a Coca Cola spokesperson told The Sun that the company’s drinks are “perfectly safe and can be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle.”