Effect of Cola and Energy Drink Consumption on Blood Glucose Levels of Non-Obese and Obese Medical Students

Objective: To compare blood glucose levels, prior and later to cola/energy drink consumption, between non-obese and obese individuals and to correlate them with anthropometric indices of obesity. Study Design: Quasi-Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Nishtar Medical University-Multan, from Aug 2023 and Feb 2024. Methodology: A total of 108 medical students were categorized as non-obese males (NOMs), non-obese females (NOFs), obese males (OMs) and obese females (OFs), with each of four groups having 27 individuals, whose adiposity and fasting glycemic status was assessed as-per World-Health-Organization standards. To observe effect of cola drink on post-prandial glycemic index, 250 ml of Cola Drink was administered to all study groups in a fasting status while same quantity of Energy Drink was used to observe effect of energy-drink at another occasion. Results: 108 subjects were assessed. Though fasting glucose level of NOMs and NOFs pre-cola/energy-drink1 intake were not significantly different from obese participants, glucose levels later to cola/energy drink intake were significantly different [(p=0.000, p=0.000) and (p=0.000, p=0.000) respectively] with energy drink leading to more marked post-prandial hyperglycemia within obese subjects. Post-cola and energy drink glucose levels within OMs and OFs showed a significant positive correlation with both BMI and WHR [(r=0.394, p=0.042), (r=0.470, p=0.013) and (r=0.404, p=0.037), (r=0.496, p=0.008)] and [(r=0.433, p=0.024), (r=0.496, p=0.009) and (r=0.469, p=0.014), (r=0.507, p=0.007)]. Conclusion: Energy drinks induce marked post-prandial hyperglycemia predominantly in obese individuals.