Consumption of sugary carbonated drinks promotes the accumulation of fat in liver cells, but alcohol has a more direct toxic effect, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and other serious diseases. Anton Belkin, a junior researcher at the Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology of Perm Polytechnic University (PPSU), told "Gazeta.Ru" about this.
The specialist noted that online sensational comparisons are spreading, putting sugary carbonated drinks on the same level as alcohol in terms of harmfulness. The "diet" version is even positioned as the most harmful.
According to the expert, the main danger of ordinary cola occurs in case of regular abuse.
"The main enemy is a huge amount of sugar. Excess sugar in the diet directly increases the risk of developing insulin resistance. This is the condition in which the cells of the body stop responding normally to insulin, the hormone that helps glucose (sugar) enter the tissues from the blood," explained the scientist.
The expert warned that sugar substitutes contained in diet carbonated drinks are also unsafe. with regular use, they contribute to the accumulation of fat in liver cells. A number of animal studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can disrupt the composition of the intestinal microflora, stimulating the proliferation of opportunistic microbes.
"Such microbiome imbalance is considered a risk factor for heart disease and endocrine disorders. However, when comparing cola and alcohol, the claim that carbonated beverages are more harmful than alcoholic beverages is a myth," explained Belkin.
The scientist notes that alcohol is simply a hepatotoxin, a substance that specifically damages liver cells (liver cells). With regular exposure, it directly causes cirrhosis and other serious liver diseases. On the other hand, cola does not contain directly toxic substances.
The specialist noted that the harm of carbonated drinks is manifested through systematic abuse, through the development of fatty liver disease or through the creation of additional stress on detoxification systems from chemical additives.
