Serious side effects of consuming energy drinks
Tags: Addiction, Drinks, Alcohol, Red Bull, Energy Efficiency

Energy drinks were introduced in 1987 in Europe and since then their popularity has not decreased. Their consumption is increasing worldwide and that has raised concern about these drinks and their impact on young people. Some energy drinks contain caffeine and stimulants which improves concentration and enhance alertness. However, some studies show that energy drinks pose some serious health effects.

This is because of the vast array of ingredients placed in energy drinks, which may make them more likely to produce negative and even deadly side effects as opposed to beverages containing just caffeine alone.

The safety of energy drinks has become a major issue as consumption has increased among children and teens.Some jurisdictions have even prohibited the sale of energy drinks to minors or those under 16 years of age.

This article reviews the possible side effects of energy drinks, including whether drinking too much of it could be life-threatening.

Caffeine in Energy Drinks

The caffeine content in popular energy drinks varies greatly as the energy drink industry is not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Ironically, some drinks do not even list the caffeine content on their label. Instead, they state that it’s part of their secret “proprietary blend.”

Energy drink makers also claim their beverages are “natural dietary supplements,” thus not subject to the regulations that apply to food products. This means consumers often do not know how much caffeine they’re downing with an energy drink, and it’s likely a lot more than you think. A typical 16-ounce energy drink contains between 150 to 280 milligrams of caffeine; larger cans have up to 500 milligrams of caffeine. This is in stark contrast to sodas, which are regulated by the FDA. By comparison, a 12-ounce can of soda can contains about 35 milligrams of caffeine.

Many energy drinks also contain guarana, which is a South American plant with a more potent form of caffeine. One gram of guaranine, a derivative of guarana, is equivalent to 40 to 80 milligrams of caffeine. Due to these additives, these energy drinks can contain much more caffeine than stated on the packaging.

Caffeine overdose may lead to hypertension, palpitations, calcium deficiency and more.

Dehydration and Weakness

Energy drinks are used to give your body an instant energy boost. This is why people end up drinking it during workout hours and while playing sports. When these drinks are taken exclusively without any fluids, it may lead to dehydration. High levels of caffeine in these drinks prevent the kidney from retaining the fluids, thereby dehydrating your body.

Diabetes and Weight gain

After water, sugar is the main ingredient in energy drinks. A nutritional comparison shows that a 12-ounce cola drink contains about 39 grams of sugar, 41 grams of sugar in an energy drink. Research has found that consuming high-sugar drinks of any kind can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and gout.

Because of the amount of sugar and stimulant ingredients, there is concern that these beverages may not be helpful, and even worse, harmful to adolescents and people with certain health conditions.

Dangers with alcohol

A greater danger is introduced if energy drinks are combined with alcohol, a trend largely seen in underage drinkers and associated with binge drinking.

Studies suggest that drinking this type of cocktail leads to a greater alcohol intake than if just drinking alcohol alone. This may be because energy drinks increase alertness that masks the signs of inebriation, leading one to believe they can consume even more alcohol.In case reports, high consumption of energy drinks-especially when mixed with alcohol-has been linked to adverse cardiovascular, psychological, and neurologic events, including fatal events.

Energy drinks may damage teeth

Energy drink products contain citric acid, which is highly corrosive to teeth Imagine the collision of citric acid with sugars, and you have the perfect storm for tooth enamel demineralization and/or tooth decay.

Once your enamel is gone, it won’t grow back! What’s next? Tooth sensitivity and thinner enamel, which will look more yellow and attract more stains. What’s even more concerning is that the precise amount of citric acid is not required on the label, so we don’t actually know how much we’re getting.

Therefore, pregnant women, children, individuals with heart problems, and caffeine-sensitive individuals should avoid drinking energy drinks entirely.

What’s more, as it’s high in sugar and has little nutritional value, you may benefit from choosing healthier alternatives to help boost your energy levels, such as coffee or tea.