Diet Coke fans warned about effects on body that begin 10 minutes after drinking

Last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that a common sweetener found in Diet Coke, called aspartame, can be 'possibly carcinogenic' to humans.

Also found in sugar-free products such as chewing gum, aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sucrose and is commonly used as a sugar substitute in foods and beverages.

Niraj Naik, also known as The Renegade Pharmacist, first shared his knowledge of what Diet Coke does to the body back in 2015 through a viral infographic - and it's not good news.

According to the expert, changes that happen within that post-drink hour affect hunger, energy levels and much more. Previous studies have linked drinks with artificial sweeteners to weight gain, but further research has found they can affect more than just the scales.

A study published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports suggests that artificially sweetened drinks may boost the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Naik explained that even the first sip of Diet Coke attacks teeth enamel within just 10 minutes.

He said: "The phosphoric acid attacks the enamel in your teeth, while the artificial sweeteners like aspartame hit your system. Aspartame may trigger taste receptors and trick your body into thinking it has just processed sugar."

Here's everything else you need to know, as reported by the Mirror.

20 minutes

20 minutes after sipping Diet Coke and Naik says your body switches to its "fat storage mode", citing studies from The Nurses' Health Study that connect such beverages to a higher risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

According to Naik: "Like regular Coke, this can trigger insulin, which sends your body into fat storage mode."

40 minutes

According to Naik, the combination of caffeine and aspartame results in a short-term high similar to that of cocaine.

If consumed regularly, Naik claims the excitotoxins released could lead to your brain becoming exhausted and overstimulated. He explained: "The potentially deadly combination of caffeine and aspartame creates a short addictive high similar to the way cocaine works.

"Excitotoxins are released which may exhaust your brain by overstimulating its neuroreceptors, especially if consumed on a regular basis."

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60 minutes

One hour after drinking Diet Coke, you might find yourself even more hungry and thirsty than before - and more likely to crave a sugary snack.

He continued: "Unlike the small amount of satisfaction you get from regular coke your body may still crave sweets. This makes you likely to reach for another soda, or worse, some other junk food you consider to be safe, and the cycle continues.

"A can of Diet Coke provides no nourishment and would replace a more nutritious drink you could have drunk while potentially depleting your body of essential minerals.

"It will never quench your thirst as it dehydrates rather than hydrates your body. A lack of vital water can lead to brain fog, poor concentration, fatigue, and feeling irritable."

The Daily Record contacted the Coca-Cola Company for comment when a version of this story was written in 2023.

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