This poison destroys bones. But everyone drinks it, some every day!

A Fact-Based Timeline of What Happens When You Drink a Coca-Cola

Here is a more accurate explanation of the physiological effects based on the known properties of its main ingredients: sugar, caffeine, and phosphoric acid.

First 10 minutes:

• The Sugar: A 12-oz can of Coca-Cola contains about 39 grams of sugar, which is roughly 9-10 teaspoons. This is a large dose of sugar, but it is not "masked by phosphates." Phosphoric acid is added for flavor (to provide tartness) and as a preservative. Your body is perfectly aware of the sugar intake and begins to process it immediately.

• The "Poison" Label: While excessive sugar consumption is undeniably harmful to health, calling it "poison" in this context is a non-scientific exaggeration. The dose makes the poison.

After 20 minutes:

• Blood Sugar and Insulin: The sugar (sucrose) is rapidly broken down into glucose and fructose in your digestive system. This causes a sharp rise in blood sugar.

• Fat Conversion: Your pancreas releases the hormone insulin to manage this spike. Insulin helps shuttle glucose into your cells for energy. The liver does handle fructose, and when consumed in excessive amounts, fructose can be converted into fat in the liver (a process called de novo lipogenesis). However, with a single soda, the primary immediate response is about managing blood sugar, not mass fat production.