Effects of Regular Coke and Coke Zero on Blood Glucose, Serum Lipid Profile and Activities of Serum Aminotransferases in Healthy Human Subjects

Regular coke and Coke zero were investigated for possible effects on blood glucose concentration, serum lipid profile and activities of serum aminotransferases (AST and ALT) of healthy human subjects. Different groups of the human subjects were fed Eva premium table water (330ml), regular coke (330ml) or coke zero (330ml) each day for 4 days. Results obtained showed that regular coke fed group exhibited significantly high blood glucose concentration (p less than 0.05) while coke zero and water fed groups showed no significant difference (p greater than 0.05). Also both regular coke and coke zero showed a decrease in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (p less than 0.05), an increase in serum total cholesterol concentration, low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and AST activity (p less than 0.05), and a statistically non-significant effect (p greater than 0.05) on serum ALT activity and triglycerides. Blood glucose concentration is a marker of diabetes mellitus while a rise in the activities of AST and ALT in the bloodstream gives an indication of failure of vital organs such as the heart and liver. Abnormal lipid profile parameters gives an indication of predisposure to cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. From the findings of this study, it can be concluded that high intake of regular coke and coke zero can predispose one to some diseases, notably organ failure, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis.