Dante Carrillo
There is a theory that diet pop can make you drunk faster, and this theory has been circulating on TikTok. Research has shown that the same amount of liquor causes a higher level of intoxication when mixed with a diet soda compared to regular soda. This is because the body recognizes regular soda as food, which slows down the rate of alcohol absorption into the blood. On the other hand, diet soda contains artificial sweeteners, which the body does not treat as food, so the alcohol gets absorbed more quickly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason | The sugar in regular Coke makes your stomach empty more slowly into the small intestine, slowing down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. |
| Study | A study by Cecile Marczinski and Amy Stamates of Northern Kentucky University published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER) |
| Number of participants | 16 |
| Results | The participants who drank liquor with diet soda had their breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) peak at levels 18% higher than those who drank the same amount of alcohol with regular soda. |
| Other results | The diet soda drinkers' reaction times were slower. |
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What You'll Learn
Diet pop speeds up alcohol absorption
It is a common belief that drinking alcohol with diet pop can make a person drunk faster than drinking alcohol with regular pop. This claim has been circulating on TikTok, with users stating that they get drunk faster when they use diet pop as a mixer. Interestingly, singer Taylor Swift also mentioned that her favorite drink is vodka with Diet Coke.
This theory is supported by science. A study by Cecile Marczinski and Amy Stamates of Northern Kentucky University, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER), found that drinking the same amount of alcohol mixed with diet soda caused breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) to increase more rapidly than when the same amount of alcohol was mixed with regular soda. The diet soda drinkers in the study also had their BrAC peak at levels 18% higher than those who drank regular soda.
The researchers believe that the body recognizes regular soda as food due to its sugar content, which slows down the rate of alcohol absorption into the blood. On the other hand, diet sodas typically contain aspartame, which the body does not treat as food, allowing the alcohol to be absorbed more quickly. This is similar to how alcohol is absorbed more quickly on an empty stomach.
It is worth noting that the diet soda drinkers in the study rated themselves as feeling the same level of intoxication as those who drank regular soda. However, their reaction times were slower, indicating that they were indeed more impaired than they perceived. This highlights the importance of understanding how different mixers can affect alcohol absorption and intoxication levels, even if individuals may not always accurately perceive these differences.
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Sugar slows stomach emptying
It is a common misconception that diet pop or soda makes you drunk faster. However, this is not due to the drink being a "diet" version per se, but rather due to the absence of sugar in the drink. Regular soda contains sugar, which slows down the rate at which the stomach empties into the small intestine. This, in turn, slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream, resulting in a lower blood alcohol concentration (BrAC).
Several studies have been conducted to test this theory, with varying methods and participants. One study, published by Northern Kentucky University in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER), found that participants who drank liquor mixed with diet soda had a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) that peaked at levels 18% higher than those who drank the same amount of alcohol mixed with regular soda. Another study, which included 8 men and 8 women who were occasional drinkers, found that those who mixed their vodka with regular soda had a BrAC of 0.077 grams per 210 liters, while those who used diet soda had a higher BrAC.
The reason for this phenomenon lies in how our bodies process sugar and artificial sweeteners. Our bodies recognize sugar as food, which slows down alcohol absorption. On the other hand, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, found in diet sodas, are not treated as food by the body, allowing alcohol to be absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream.
It is important to note that while diet soda may not directly make you drunk faster, it can still impact your drinking experience. The absence of sugar in diet soda can affect how your body processes the alcohol, leading to higher intoxication levels compared to when regular soda is used as a mixer. Therefore, when choosing between diet and regular soda as a mixer, be mindful of how it may affect your drinking experience and overall health.
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Breath alcohol concentration rises faster
Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) is a measure of the level of alcohol per litre of breath. A study published by Northern Kentucky University in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER) found that drinking liquor with diet soda causes BrAC to rise more quickly than if the same amount of alcohol was mixed with regular soda. The study found that the diet soda drinkers' BrAC peaked at levels 18% higher than those whose drink was mixed with regular soda.
The researchers also tested the participants' reaction times and found that the diet soda drinkers' times were notably slower. Interestingly, when the participants were surveyed on how drunk they perceived themselves to be, the diet soda drinkers rated themselves just the same as the others. The drinkers judged their level of intoxication based on the number of drinks they had, even though the contents of the drink affected how the liquor affected their bodies.
The researchers believe that the body recognises regular sodas (which include sugar) as food, which slows down the rate of alcohol absorption into the blood. Diet sodas, on the other hand, only include aspartame, which the body does not treat as food, so the alcohol mixed in gets absorbed much more quickly. This is the same principle as why you get drunk faster on an empty stomach.
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Diet soda drinkers' reaction times are slower
It is true that diet soda drinkers' reaction times are slower. A study by Cecile Marczinski and Amy Stamates of Northern Kentucky University tested the reaction times of participants with a computer-based test and found that the diet soda drinkers' times were notably slower. The study found that the same amount of liquor causes a higher level of intoxication when mixed with diet soda compared to regular soda. This is because the body recognizes regular sodas (which include sugar) as food, which slows down the rate of alcohol absorption into the blood. On the other hand, diet sodas only include artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, which the body doesn't treat as food, so the alcohol mixed in gets absorbed much more quickly.
The study also found that the diet soda drinkers rated themselves as just as sober as those who drank liquor mixed with regular soda. In other words, the drinkers judged their level of intoxication based on how many drinks they'd had, even though the contents of the drink affected how the liquor affected their bodies. This is an important takeaway from the study, as it shows that people may not be aware of how much their drink choice affects their level of intoxication.
The artificial sweeteners found in diet soda can also have other negative effects on the body. For example, they can negatively affect the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in immune function, nutrient absorption, and heart health. Additionally, artificial sweeteners can cause headaches and migraines, especially in people with neurological or psychiatric conditions. They can also increase sugar cravings and dependence, making it harder to reduce sugar intake.
Overall, while diet soda may seem like a healthier alternative to regular soda, it can have negative effects on the body, including slower reaction times when mixed with alcohol. It is important to be aware of these effects and to consume diet soda in moderation.
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Diet mixers increase intoxication
It has been speculated for some time that diet mixers could affect how alcohol impacts the body, and recent studies have provided some insight into this. Research by Cecile Marczinski and Amy Stamates of Northern Kentucky University, published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research (ACER), found that drinking liquor with diet soda caused breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) to increase more rapidly than when the same amount of alcohol was mixed with regular soda. The study also found that the diet soda drinkers' reaction times were notably slower, despite the participants themselves rating their level of intoxication similarly to those who had consumed regular soda.
The researchers believe that the body recognises regular sodas, which contain sugar, as food, and this slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. In contrast, diet sodas contain aspartame, which the body does not treat as food, allowing the alcohol to be absorbed more quickly. This is the same principle as getting drunk faster on an empty stomach, as the sugar in regular Coke causes the stomach to empty more slowly into the small intestine, slowing the absorption of alcohol.
It is worth noting that the artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas may negatively affect the gut microbiome and have been linked to headaches and migraines, particularly in those with neurological or psychiatric conditions. Additionally, research has suggested that artificial sweeteners can impact the food reward pathway in the brain, potentially leading to increased hunger and food intake. While drinking diet soda in moderation may be enjoyable, it is important to be aware of these potential side effects.
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Frequently asked questions
The sugar in regular pop makes your stomach empty more slowly, slowing the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Diet pop, on the other hand, contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which the body doesn't treat as food, so the alcohol gets absorbed more quickly.
It's not just a myth. Research has shown that the same amount of liquor causes a higher level of intoxication when mixed with diet soda compared to regular soda.
You can use a breathalyzer to test your blood alcohol content (BAC). Studies have shown that participants who mixed liquor with diet soda had higher BAC levels than those who used regular soda.
Participants in a study who drank liquor with diet soda rated themselves as feeling the same level of intoxication as those who drank with regular soda, even though their BAC levels were higher. This could be because they judged their level of drunkenness based on the number of drinks they'd consumed, rather than the contents of the drink.
Yes, there are some potential side effects of consuming too much diet pop. The artificial sweeteners in diet pop may negatively affect your gut microbiome and have been linked to headaches, especially in people with neurological or psychiatric conditions. Diet pop has also been associated with an increased risk of bone loss and weight gain.
