Abstract

Background:
The scientific community and the general public are very interested in the question of how artificially sweetened drinks, such as diet cola, should be marketed to minimize the intake of free sugars, especially sugar-sweetened beverages. However, contradictory study findings and potential safety concerns have impeded the development of formal guidelines. The reproductive effects of DS diet, particularly in females, have not received much attention.

Aim:
This study elucidates the impact of prolonged consumption of sugar-free cola drinks on several hematological and reproductive parameters in adult female rats over a 4-month period.

Methods:
Rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. The control group was untreated and drank only tap water. The Coca-Cola group (A) received free access to 50% Diet Coke diluted with 50% tap water. The Coca-Cola group (B) received free access to 100% Diet Coke. Several hematological and reproductive parameters were then examined.

Results:
The results revealed that the daily consumption of cola has detrimental effects on the reproductive system of females, as evidenced by a significant imbalance of sex hormone levels and oxidative stress enzymes, which correlated with hematological parameters and lipid profile analysis. These results were more pronounced in the group that received 100% cola.

Conclusion:
Daily administration of Coca-Cola elicited more damage compared to the control and 50% cola groups. To fully comprehend the pathophysiologic processes behind the negative effects of sugar-free cola beverages on public health, more research should be conducted.

Key words: Sugar-free cola, Diet soda, Oxidative stress, Lipid profile, Histopathology