Doctor explains why drinking Diet Coke will get you drunk faster than regular
If you feel like you get drunk faster with a diet Coke mixer than with regular Coke, you’re not just imagining things. A doctor has explained the science behind it
Mirror
By Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz, Lifestyle Writer
December 14, 2022
Have you ever felt like some drinks will get you drunk faster than others, despite having the same alcohol content?
Well, it turns out there’s some science behind it. Using no-sugar version of Coca-Cola as a mixer with alcohol will get you drunk faster than regular Coke.
Putting the theory to the test, a TikToker called Loryn Powell uploaded a video to her account where he compared the effects of diet versus regular Coke.
On two separate occasions, she drank four glasses of Jack Daniel’s whiskey to see if one of them would get her drunk faster.
In each drink, she poured a shot of whiskey, followed by either diet or regular Coke. Loryn then waited 30 minutes before using a breathalyser.
She found that with the regular Coke, she has a 0.061% BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration), while with the Diet Coke she had a 0.086% BAC.
Afterwards she said: “I don’t even know how to process this. Wow. I sound like my liver.”
Loryn then waited another 30 minutes and took the test again. After drinking regular coke the breathalyser showed 0.051% BAC, while after Diet Coke it showed 0.088% BAC.
Holding up a six pack of Diet Coke, Loryn asked: “What is in you? The science ‘aint sciencing”.
In the video, Loryn also demonstrated that it took longer for the alcohol to leave the system for the diet drink. After five hours, there was 0.00% BAC left after the regular drink, and 0.058% BAC left after the diet drink.
Keen to explain the science behind it, Dr Karan Raj took to TikTok to upload a video through his @dr.karanraj account.
The NHS surgical doctor 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.”
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Surprised social media users took to the comments, with many saying they were “taking notes”.
One person said: “Noted. Diet drinks with alcohol.”