In a bid to sadden caffeine-addicted gamers around the world, doctors have revealed new findings linking cola consumption and hypokalaemia.
The frightening sounding condition is typified by a decrease in blood potassium levels that leads inevitably to a decrease in vital muscle function.
Potassium helps regulate the function of many important muscles within the human body, particularly the heart. Once potassium levels in the blood drop too low the heart simply seizes up, often leaving those afflicted with a severe case of death.
Hypokalaemia however, can also cause degraded function in other muscle systems. Research published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Clinical Practice found that cola junkies can suffer from a range of symptoms that “can range from mild weakness to profound paralysis.”
The good news is that the doctors also discovered that those cola drinkers afflicted with hypokalaemia can reverse any damage they might have done to themselves by giving up the sugary beverage and taking a short course of oral or intravenous potassium supplements.
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Published: May 21, 2009 08:33 pm