Dear doctor; A Coke soda tastes like it has little sugar in it, but people keep saying it has too much sugar and can cause diabetes. Are these claims just made by people who don’t want us to enjoy Coke? Jeffrey, 19, Kibagabaga. Dear Jeffrey, Coke is a syrup prepared from high fructose containing corn syrup or fructose from sugar cane. It also contains soda. Vanilla, lemon, among other spices are used for giving a flavour. The actual detailed contents are closely guarded secret known to very few working in the organisation itself. Coke does have a very high content of sugar. One ordinary can of Coke contains about six to 12 teaspoons of sugar. Large cans as sold in theatres contain as high as 24 teaspoonfuls of sugar. Initially, Coke was promoted as a energy giving tonic. But later on under pressure of US administration, the company had to withdraw this claim. The presumed energy it provides is because of the high sugar content. This can precipitate and aggravate diabetes. The process of deposition of fat inside blood vessels (atherosclerosis) is enhanced by coke. This happens because the excess calories when not consumed deposit in form of fat inside body. This also results in obesity. All these are risk factors for heart problems and high blood pressure. Coke also aggravates problem of hyperacidity, manifesting as burning pain in abdomen or behind chest associated with nausea. Once a while, it is alright but Coke is not a healthy drink to be consumed daily.
