Woman’s Death Linked to Excessive Amounts of Coca-Cola

Officials in New Zealand have released the results of an investigation into the death of a woman who drank up to 10 liters of Coke a day.

The coroner’s office found that Natasha Harris died of cardiac arrest caused by the effects of caffeine, as well as poor nutrition.

Her boyfriend told investigators that Harris was addicted to Coca-Cola and would drink it from morning until night. She also smoked about 30 cigarettes a day and ate very little.

Harris died in February 2010 at the age of 30.  She was the mother of eight. The inquest heard that the young woman’s teeth had been pulled out, and that at least one of her children's teeth grew in without enamel due to her habit.

The 10 liters of Classic Coke meant she consumed about 2 pounds of sugar a day and twice the recommended safe limit of caffeine.

David Crerar, coroner for the Southland region, said: "It is more likely than not that the drinking of very large quantities of Coke was a substantial factor that contributed to the development of the metabolic imbalances, which gave rise to arrhythmia."

Coca-Cola released a statement criticizing the report, saying "We are disappointed that the coroner has chosen to focus on the combination of Ms Harris' excessive consumption of Coca-Cola, together with other health and lifestyle factors, as the probable cause of her death.”

The coroner urged Coca-Cola to consider including the quantity of caffeine content on its labels, along with a warning about excessive consumption.