Diet Coke with protein shake: Influencer swears by viral drink, doctor says could be dangerous

From "nature's cereal" to chlorophyll water and butter coffee, social media has never been short of viral wellness hacks. The latest trend taking over fitness corners of TikTok and Instagram is surprisingly simple: mixing protein powder with Diet Coke.

Videos of gym-goers pouring scoops of protein powder into fizzy diet soda have racked up millions of views, with supporters claiming the combination is refreshing, filling and even beneficial for muscle recovery and weight loss.

But does science support these claims?

According to Dr Mohit Sharma, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, the answer is far less exciting than social media suggests.

What is the protein powder and Diet Coke trend?

The trend involves combining protein powder with Diet Coke or other sugar-free carbonated beverages to create a high-protein drink.

Many social media users claim it helps increase protein intake while offering a lighter alternative to traditional protein shakes made with milk or water.

More from Lifestyle

However, experts say there is currently no scientific evidence showing that mixing protein powder with Diet Coke improves protein absorption, muscle recovery, metabolism, exercise performance or weight loss.

“A good example of how social media can popularise a practice much faster than science can evaluate it is the recent trend of mixing protein powder with Diet Coke,” says Dr Sharma.

“There are no robust clinical trials showing that adding protein supplements to diet sodas improves protein absorption, muscle recovery, weight loss, metabolism or exercise performance, compared to consuming protein with water or milk.”

How does the body actually digest protein?

Many of the claims surrounding the viral Diet Coke and protein powder trend assume that the carbonated drink somehow enhances the effectiveness of the protein supplement.

Dr Sharma says this is not how the digestive system works.

“Physiologically, protein digestion takes place primarily in the stomach and small intestine through the action of gastric acid and digestive enzymes,” he explains.

“The carbonation and artificial sweeteners in Diet Coke don’t help this process. There is no current scientific evidence to support claims of superior nutritional benefits from this combination.”

In other words, the protein itself is still digested in the same way regardless of whether it is mixed with water, milk or a carbonated diet drink.

The hidden downside: Bloating, discomfort and reflux

While there may not be any proven nutritional advantage, there can be drawbacks for some people.

Carbonated beverages are known to increase gastric distension in susceptible individuals. This can lead to bloating, belching, abdominal discomfort and worsening symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

“When protein powders are added to carbonated drinks, the release of carbon dioxide can lead to substantial foaming and increased gastric volume,” says Dr Sharma.

“This can cause nausea or gastrointestinal distress, especially if consumed quickly.”

Anyone who has watched these viral videos has probably noticed the dramatic foaming effect. While it may look entertaining online, it can be far less pleasant once it reaches the stomach.

Are people consuming too much protein?

The popularity of protein supplements has grown dramatically in recent years, particularly among gym enthusiasts and fitness-conscious consumers.

However, experts warn that many people add supplements to their diets without first assessing how much protein they actually need.

“Another factor to consider is the cumulative protein load,” says Dr Sharma.

“High-protein diets are already being consumed by many people and they may supplement without really thinking about what their body actually needs.”

Excessive protein intake over long periods can place additional metabolic demands on the kidneys, particularly in individuals with underlying kidney disease.

“While healthy kidneys can generally handle higher protein intake, indiscriminate supplementation is not recommended,” he adds.

Social media trends are not scientific evidence

The Diet Coke protein trend highlights a broader issue in the wellness industry: the speed at which social media can turn personal habits into perceived health advice.

Fitness influencers often share routines that quickly gain traction online, creating the impression that a trend is backed by science simply because it is popular.

“Social media trends can be deceiving as they are often connected to fitness influencers, giving the impression that they are healthy, but just because something is trending does not mean it is scientifically valid,” says Dr Sharma.

The long-term safety of mixing protein powder with Diet Coke has also not been systematically studied.

Should you try it?

For most healthy adults, occasionally mixing protein powder with Diet Coke is unlikely to be harmful. However, there is currently no evidence suggesting it offers any unique health, fitness or weight-loss benefits compared with traditional protein shakes.

“As doctors, we want people to eat based on evidence-based practices, not anecdotal practices on the internet,” says Dr Sharma.

“Until good studies show a clear benefit, mixing protein powder with Diet Coke should be considered a personal preference and not a scientifically proven health strategy.”

For now, the viral protein powder and Diet Coke trend appears to be more social media spectacle than nutritional breakthrough.

'Proffee': Another trend that combines protein powder and coffee

Another social media-driven trend that has gained popularity in recent years is "proffee", a combination of protein powder or a ready-to-drink protein shake mixed with coffee.

Unlike the Diet Coke and protein powder trend, proffee is often marketed as a way to combine caffeine and protein in a single drink, particularly among gym-goers and busy professionals.

Supporters claim it helps boost energy while increasing daily protein intake. However, experts note that while coffee and protein can be consumed together, there is no strong evidence that combining them provides unique fitness or weight-loss benefits beyond those offered by each separately.

As with any viral wellness trend, the nutritional value depends more on an individual's overall diet and protein requirements than on the drink itself.