I’m sure you’re well aware that drinking sodas aren’t the best thing for you, but check this out…
On May 27, Health Day reported that drinking too much cola can increase the risk of a muscle problem called hypokalemia.
What is hypokalemia? In people with hypokalemia, a drop in blood potassium levels results in problems with vital muscle functions. Symptoms can range from mild weakness to serious paralysis.
Did you know that there are people out there drinking between 2 and 9 LITERS of cola PER DAY? Isn’t that crazy?
“We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before, and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralization and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes,” and there’s increasing evidence that excessive cola consumption leads to hypokalemia, Dr. Moses Elisaf, of the University of Ioannina, said in the news release.
Elisaf said the three most common ingredients in cola — glucose, fructose and caffeine — can contribute to hypokalemia.
“The individual role of each of these ingredients in the pathophysiology of cola-induced hypokalemia has not been determined and may vary in different patients,” Elisaf said. “However, in most of the cases we looked at for our review, caffeine intoxication was thought to play the most important role. This has been borne out by case studies that focus on other products that contain high levels of caffeine but no glucose or fructose.”
However, “caffeine-free cola products can also cause hypokalemia because the fructose they contain can cause diarrhea,” Elisaf said.
So if you know anyone who drinks an abnormal amount of Coca-Cola or Pepsi, let them know that it could be very harmful to their muscles and their overall health.
Helping you live YOUR Vibrant Potential,
Dr. Chris Frykman