The truth about energy drinks
Energy drinks have been with us for nearly 20 years and come in a vareity of shapes, sizes and concentrations.
Energy drink companies target children and teens under the age of 18. College students also use a high amount of energy drinks. The flavours they use make them more attractive to these age groups.
However, energy drinks can cause harmful health issues.
What are energy drinks?
Energy drinks differ from soft drinks and sports drinks. Soft drinks have a lower amount of caffeine. They also contain sugar or fake sweeteners. Sports drinks can have vitamins, carbs, and sugar. You should drink them after an intense workout to restore your body.
Most energy drinks list caffeine and vitamins as the main ingredients. This makes them sound healthy and attractive. Energy drinks claim to increase focus and improve performance. They contain a lot of added stimulants, such as:
Guarana. An herb used to prevent tiredness and improve mental speed. It also is used to promote weight loss and increase sexual desire.
Taurine. A supplement used to improve memory and endurance.
Ginseng. An herb used to help reduce stress, strengthen muscles, and improve endurance.
Synephrine (bitter orange). An herb used to promote weight loss.
L-carnitine l-tartrate (LCLT). A supplement used to increase energy, memory, and speed. It is also used to break down fat.
Yerba mate. An herb used to prevent tiredness and improve mood.
Gingko. An herb used to increase focus and prevent tiredness.
St. John’s Wort. An herb used to reduce stress and improve mood.
These are not always harmful by themselves, but when combined together with caffeine, they can cause health issues.
A big problem with energy drinks is that there is little control meaning that a lot of the ingredients have not been tested properly.
Soft drinks have about 30 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per serving.
Coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine per cup.
Energy drinks can have anywhere from 100 to 250 mg of caffeine per serving.
Energy drink companies don’t help. Their advertising can be forceful and dishonest. Some ads promise that energy drinks make you popular. For instance, Red Bull says their drink “gives you wings.” Rockstar invites users to “party like a rockstar.” Amp suggests that it is “energy you need, flavours you crave.” These claims make energy drinks seem safe, stylish, and real.
Doctors worry about the dangers of energy drinks. Side effects differ based on the person, type, and amount used. Reactions to energy drinks include:
Headaches, stomachaches, or diarrhea. These could be caused by lack of water or poor diet.
Chest pain.
Anxious or nervous feelings.
Dizzy or lack of focus.
Unable to fall asleep.
Energy drinks can be high in sugar and calories. These can lead to weight gain or diabetes.
Dental issues.
Severe health issues also can occur from using energy drinks, such as:
Addiction and withdrawal.
High blood pressure.
Seizures.
Heart problems. Many people report rapid heartbeat. Major use has been linked to uneven heartbeat or heart failure. Rare cases have been linked to death.
Children tend to be more sensitive to caffeine. It can be harmful to their growth.
People who have heart conditions or asthma also are at greater risk.
You should be aware of these risks and talk to your children about them.
Promote a healthy diet with regular sleep and exercise. People who do this should have enough natural energy.
There is another dangerous trend with energy drinks. It has become “cool” and common to mix them with alcohol. Energy drinks can offset the effects of alcohol. It is known to make you tired and unfocused. Energy drinks are used to focus and stay awake. Mixing them can make you feel less drunk than you are. It also affects your ability to make good choices. The same is true if you mix energy drinks with illegal drugs or certain medicines.
Source: familydoctor.org
© 2012 7Futures Ltd. Registered Office: Laurel Drive, 7 George Fox Lane, Fenny Drayton, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV13 6BE.Registered in England and Wales No. 7945762
© 2012 7Futures Ltd. Please note that, at 7Futures, our role is to help educate and encourage our clients to take positive responsibility for their wellbeing. We are not medical doctors and are not able to offer individual medical advice. We always recommend you should discuss with your GP or other medical professional before making any changes you hope will impact your wellbeing, or that of your current/future family. 7Futures Ltd offers generic information which is for educational purposes only. The information we provided is not a prescription system and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As such our materials, videos products and communications are for general information purposes only and should not be read as a personal recommendation for specific changes in lifestyle behaviour, nutrition, or exercise. Please click here for a clear description of our services and the relationship with you as a client. You should not participate in any of our services until you have studied this link...it is for your benefit.