COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF CARBONATED DRINK (BIGI TROPICAL) AND HEALTH DRINK (EVIRON) ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL INDICES IN HUMANS

Abstract

Carbonated drinks are drinks containing carbonated water, artificial sweeteners and flavorings and preservatives. Health drinks are drinks which claim to be beneficial to the health having medicinal properties. In recent years, there has been high rate of consumption of carbonated drinks (mostly containing high level of sugar) in Nigeria and other countries resulting in increased incidence of hyperglycemia which predisposes to disease conditions such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. The acclaimed benefits of health drinks include anti-oxidants properties, blood pressure control, anti-cancer properties, anti-inflammatory properties, improved digestion, hydration, bone health and weight loss among others. Therefore, consumers have to enlighten themselves with the effects of health drinks and carbonated drinks on health to help them make the right choice of drinks to take. The reason for this research is to compare the effects of a branded carbonated drink (Bigi tropical) and health drink (Eviron) on blood glucose level and lipid profile of human, as markers of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Human volunteers (male and female) were recruited from Mountain top University and were grouped into three groups of 8 persons each. Their fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood samples were initially taken to know their pre-treatment blood glucose level and lipid profile. Group one volunteers were given 25 mL of table water, group two were given 25 mL of carbonated drink and group three were given 25 mL of health drink. Administration was once a day for seven days. On day 7, the fasting blood glucose levels were determined and blood samples were collected for determination of lipid profile. The group given Bigi-tropical showed an increased level of fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL and normal level of LDL-cholesterol compared to the group that took water. The group that took Eviron showed no significant (p>0.05) increase in the lipid profile on day 7, but there was no difference in FBG recorded compared to the bigi tropical group. No difference in FBG with decreases in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides concentrations were recorded in the water group after administration. Therefore, it was concluded that among the drinks, water and eviron seems not to affect biochemical parameters that may predispose to hyperglycemia and related diseases. Thus, may be safe drink options.