Does Coke Zero raise blood sugar?
No, Coke Zero does not raise blood sugar.
Coke Zero is a diet soda that contains non-nutritive sweeteners. These substances show no significant effect on blood sugar levels [1].
Half an hour after drinking a diet soda like Coke Zero, a prominent decrease in fasting glucose occurs [2].
In a study, beverages containing artificial sweeteners (such as Coke Zero) were compared for insulin spike differences. The study found that the beverages did not increase insulin or raise glucose levels in the blood [3].
What does Coke Zero contain?
Coke Zero is a unique zero-calorie variant of Coca-Cola. The main ingredients of this beverage are carbonated water, phosphoric acid, and a caramel color.
Coke Zero does not contain sugar, but contains aspartame, a low-calorie sweetener, instead of sugar. [4].
Coke Zero also contains caffeine at about 44mg per serving [5]. Its caffeine content is comparable to a cup of black tea.
However, also caffeine-free versions are available [6].
Coke Zero can also contains particles from the packaging. For example, a Coke Zero from a can contains magnesium, zinc, and copper. These metallic ions prevent a fast erosion of the can [7].
Interestingly, Coke Zero also contains fluorescent nanoparticles. These small compounds are made of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen [8].
Is Coke Zero safe for diabetics?
A person who has diabetes can safely drink Coke Zero. However, it's important to note that Coke Zero, being sugar-free, would not be suitable for treating hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in diabetics. For hypoglycemic emergencies, fast-acting glucose sources are recommended
The main ingredient of Coke Zero is water. It accounts for 99% of the beverage. Per serving, Coke Zero contains less than 1 gram of sugar [9].
A person with diabetes can safely drink a Coke Zero without worrying about blood glucose spikes.
However, Coke Zero also contains other substances. Among them are acids and preserving and coloring agents [9]. The effect of this ingredient in Coke Zero on health is undefined [10]. Therefore, the overall health impact of Coke Zero on diabetes cannot be completely determined.
What beverages spike blood sugar?
Among the beverages that can lead to big blood sugar spikes are:
- sodas,
- energy drinks,
- fruit juices [11].
Sodas can contain around 40 grams of carbohydrates per serving [11].
Energy drinks also contain high amounts of sugar and caffeine. Thus, they can cause sugar spikes in blood [11].
Additionally, fruit juices contain high amounts of sugar and cause spikes in blood sugar. Regular consumption of fruit juices increases the incidence of diabetes type 2 [12].
Also, the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, like sodas, increases the risk of type 2 diabetes [12].
A crucial factor in the blood spike creation is the speed of drinking the beverage. Fast drinking leads to a quick metabolic reaction. Thus, the spike rises fast and high. Regular big sugar spikes may be associated with a negative long-term influence on the body [13].