Are You Addicted to Coke? (And We Mean Coca-Cola)

Are you addicted to Coke? And we mean Coca Cola. If you can’t give up that bottle, then here’s what you should read!

It’s hot here in the Philippines, and summer is making things so much worse in our tropical country. For us Filipinos, it is perhaps part of our daily routine to open a bottle of ice-cold, fizzing Coca-Cola, or Coke in short, to accompany our meals or just slake our parched throats. For many, nothing can satisfy the thirst and the hot humid feeling of the summer season that gulping down a cold Coke.

And no wonder many people drink it on a daily basis. Some can even consume at least a liter of Coke daily. So while indulgence in this cola is good from time to time, this kind of Coke can indeed be addictive, if left unchecked.

Coca-Cola Addict: Are You Addicted to Coke?

Coke contains a lot of ingredients, that are not really harmful when taken into moderation. However, they are best considered “junk” because we’re actually better off not consuming them at all in the first place. These ingredients can easily be highly addictive. In fact, many people get addicted to coke and in return get many negative health effects because of this.

Here are what’s inside Coke:

1. Caffeine. Coke, or Coca Cola, contains caffeine, which can be very addictive in itself. Caffeine can cause an increased risk of blood pressure and a number of heart diseases.

Furthermore, excessive coke consumption can cause you to lose sleep and even have sleep disorders.

2. Sugars. Coke has a huge amount of sugar, causing people who regularly drink coke to be overweight, or even obese. Furthermore, these sugars can slow down metabolism, causing you to have a harder time losing weight. People who are trying to lose weight are advised not to drink Coke, even Diet Coke.

The sugars in Coke are also associated with kidney stones and kidney damage and liver problems, as well as urinary tract infection (UTI). And that’s not all–Coke is also famous for causing people to have neurochemical imbalance and some also  develop Type 2 diabetes.

3. Acid. That strong zip you feel when drinking coke is caused by the acid in it. This acid can cause you to have yellow teeth, as well as cause damage to your tooth enamel, increasing your risk for tooth decay and cavities. Aside from teeth, the acid can also go to your bones, which can demineralize your calcium deposits, making you prone to fractures.

How to stop your addiction to Coke

There is no secret to getting rid of your being addicted to Coke. Still, here are some tips to help you cut down and get rid of your Coke addiction.

• Find a healthier alternative. Replace your Coke with healthier options, such as fresh fruit juices. To be safe, you can always go for water.
• Keep hydrated. When your body is thirsty, this is when you often crave for coke Before you succumb, however, drink more water first.
• Track your Coke consumption. Try to count how much Coke you drink and how much this is equivalent to. Have a money bank where you can put the money you would have used for buying Coke.
• Cut-down the size. If before you buy a liter of coke and consume it after meals, try a smaller alternative. While you can’t see yourself quitting cold turkey, you can cut down slowly by buying yourself a smaller serving of Coke.