Diet Coke, like most food and drink, is harmless in moderation - but the artificially sweetened beverage can cause negative effects just one hour after drinking.
It comes as a common sweetener used in Diet Coke is set to be declared as potentially cancerous next month by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The sweetener, known as aspartame, will be listed as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" for the first time. Aspartame is found in a range of products, including Diet Coke and Fanta Zero, as well as Wrigley's Extra chewing gum.
A pharmacist has explained what consuming just one can of Diet Coke does to the body in 60 minutes. Also known as The Renegade Pharmacist, Niraj Narik first shared his professional knowledge back in 2015 through a viral infographic - and Diet Coke fans may want to look away.
According to the expert, changes that occur within that post-drink hour impact hunger, energy levels and a number of other areas. Previous studies have linked drinks with artificial sweeteners to weight gain, but further research has found they can affect more than just the scales.
A study published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports suggests that artificially sweetened drinks may boost the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Naik explained that one diet coke can attack teeth enamel ten minutes after the first sip.
He said: "The phosphoric acid attacks the enamel in your teeth, while the artificial sweeteners like aspartame hit your system. Aspartame may trigger taste receptors and trick your body into thinking it has just processed sugar."
The effects of drinking a can of Diet Coke can apparently be seen in just one hour, with an impact seen 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes after finishing that last drop.
Here's what you should know, as reported by the Mirror.
20 minutes
After 20 minutes, Naik says the drinker's body switches to its "fat storage mode", citing studies from The Nurses' Health Study that connect such beverages to a higher risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
According to Naik: "Like regular Coke, this can trigger insulin, which sends your body into fat storage mode."
40 minutes
Naik claims the caffeine and aspartame combination results in a short-term high, in a comparable way to the Class A drug cocaine.
If drunk regularly, Naik claims the excitotoxins released could lead to your brain becoming exhausted and overstimulated. He explained: "The potentially deadly combination of caffeine and aspartame creates a short addictive high similar to the way cocaine works.
"Excitotoxins are released which may exhaust your brain by overstimulating its neuroreceptors, especially if consumed on a regular basis."
60 minutes
After one hour has passed, Naik says the drinker will be left more hungry and thirsty than they were previously, and more likely to reach for sugary junk food.
He continued: "Unlike the small amount of satisfaction you get from regular coke your body may still crave sweets. This makes you likely to reach for another soda, or worse, some other junk food you consider to be safe, and the cycle continues.
"A can of diet coke provides no nourishment and would replace a more nutritious drink you could have drunk while potentially depleting your body of essential minerals.
"It will never quench your thirst as it dehydrates rather than hydrates your body. A lack of vital water can lead to brain fog, poor concentration, fatigue, and feeling irritable."
The Daily Record has contacted the Coca-Cola Company for comment.
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