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May 22, 2009
Cola-Induced Hypokalemia
As I sip my Diet Coke, I wonder: How much cola is too much cola? A new syndrome been found that is a result of excess cola consumption: hypokalaemia, a condition in which the blood potassium levels fall, causing an adverse effect on vital muscle function which is especially serious when it involves the heart.
A study was developed by Dr Moses Elisaf from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Ioannina, Greece. Cola consumption of two to nine liters a day can lead to symptoms ranging from mild weakness to profound paralysis. Patients made a full and rapid recovery once they stopped drinking cola.
It appears that hypokalaemia can be caused by excessive consumption of three of the most common ingredients in cola drinks – glucose, fructose and caffeine. However in most of the cases we looked at for our review, caffeine intoxication was thought to play the most important role.
However, don't be fooled -- caffeine-free colas can still cause hypokalemia because of the fructose they contain. Further studies need to be conducted about how much is too much when it comes to daily cola consumption. Doctors are encouraged to add cola consumption to their list of questions about lifestyle habits which includes smoking and drinking. "A number of health issues have already been identified [with cola consumption] including tooth problems, bone demineralisation and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes," says Dr Elisaf.
More staggering statistics:
In 2007 the worldwide annual consumption of soft drinks reached 552 billion litres, the equivalent of just under 83 litres per person per year, and this is projected to increase to 95 litres per person per year by 2012. However the figure has already reached an average of 212 litres per person per year in the United States.
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Posted by linda at May 22, 2009 2:27 PM
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