Doctor explains why drinking Diet Coke gets you drunk faster than full fat version
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When enjoying an alcoholic beverage, there is always that one drink you think gets you more drunk than others, despite having the same amount of alcohol in it.
There has been a long-running theory that has been documented on TikTok surrounding using either regular Coke or Diet Coke in some of your favourites like whiskey and vodka.
While this has all been theory to this point, there is some actual science behind the suggestion that having Diet Coke will get you drunk faster.
But first, that theory was put to the test by TikToker Loryn Powell, who had the two variations of drinks with whiskey on two separate days.
She had four drinks of Jack Daniel's whiskey on two separate occasions - with the Diet/regular Coke mixed with a shot.
Loryn then waited 30 minutes after she downed the drink to then use a breathalyser.
The TikToker was shocked to find out that with the regular coke, she had a 0.061 percent BAC (Blood Alcohol Concertation), whereas with the Diet Coke had 0.086 percent BAC.
To confirm her results, and likely another excuse for a cheeky drink, Loryn tested the theory again and found similar results.
This time, the breathalyser showed 0.051 percent BAC, with the Diet Coke showing 0.088 percent BAC.
In the video, Loryn also showed that it took five hours with the regular coke for the alcohol to leave her system, with the Diet Coke taking a much longer eight hours.
At the end of the TikTok, Loryn was evidently puzzled by the theory, and asked someone to explain the science.
Well, that person is Dr Karan Raj, who took to his TikTok account @dr.karanraj to explain the science behind it.
He said: "Why does drinking alcohol with Diet Coke get you drunk faster than regular coke?
"It's got nothing to do with the diet mixer, but more to do with the fact that sugar in regular Coke makes your stomach empty more slowly into the small intestine.
"This slows down the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
"It's the same principle as why you get drunk faster on an empty stomach, because there's nothing to slow down the booze."
Many people took to the comments section of the doctor's TikTok, and we think a fair few will be having Diet Coke on a night out now.
One person said: "note.. diet drinks with liquor."
A second added: "Noted. Diet drinks with alcohol."
And a third person said: "That's pretty cool...so many possibilities with this knowledge."
Featured Image Credit: Mint Photography / Alamy Stock Photo Andrew Steven Graham / Alamy Stock Photo
Topics: Food And Drink, TikTok
