Are energy drinks dangerous for your health?
Do you know a teenager addicted to energy drinks? Energy drink consumption by teens and 20-somethings is the fastest growing group in the soft drink industry, with sales totaling a whopping $9 billion. In fact, they are quite popular on most college campuses and with adults in the workplace. Many of these energy drink companies are finding ways around the FDA and do not have to report the amount of caffeine or even disclose certain information to the FDA. Many people are becoming dependent on these drinks as they feel they perform better during physical and mental activities, can stay awake longer for study, fight fatigue, increase metabolism and athleticism. The CDC reported that “one in three adults consumed an energy drink in the past week, 21% had had more than once in the past week, and 11% consumed more than three energy drinks per week.” The most alarming trend is that these drinks are commonly mixed with alcohol, and research shows that college students consume more alcohol when mixed with energy drinks.
Drinks like Red Bull, Monster, Rock Star, AMP, 5-Hour Energy, and others contain ingredients like caffeine, taurine, sugar (even more sugar, like sucralose and high fructose corn syrup), synthetic vitamins, and chemicals. , and other aromas. Side effects may include:
Caffeine: According to the Mayo Clinic, caffeine has been shown to cause anxiety, nervousness, tremors and shakes, dehydration, headaches, fast and hard pace, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, irritability, and lack of sleep. It stimulates the central nervous system, making it difficult for many people to sleep. Red Bull, among many other high-caffeine energy drinks, causes the body to leach calcium, resulting in weaker bone structure, which can contribute to osteoporosis when taken over a long period of time. Red Bull is banned in Norway, Uruguay, France and Denmark due to its many adverse effects.
taurine: An essential amino acid, taurine helps regulate body water and salt levels, and is an antioxidant. It also plays a role in helping heart patients with angina and breathing problems. The University of Utah reports that consuming only an amino acid supplement like taurine can upset the nitrogen balance in the body, slow metabolism, and put undue strain on kidney function. Increased taurine supplementation in children may cause growth retardation.
Sugar: With a lot of extra sugar, like glucose and sucrose, cavities and other dental problems can develop, not to mention adrenal and pancreatic problems. Rockstar contains 102 grams of sugar!
A healthy alternative: drink orange juice and eat orange slices to help improve circulation and oxygenate tissues. Apples are also great energy-boosting fruits! So goes the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Alarming statistics include:
- A federal agency, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, reported that energy drinks caused more than 13,000 emergency room visits in 2009.
- Children drink more caffeinated beverages and average 60-70mg per day and sometimes up to 700mg per day.
- 33% of American teens and 50% of college students consume energy drinks and caffeinated beverages consistently.
Do energy drinks help athletes perform better? Creighton University conducted a study on 17 college men to investigate the effect of sugar-free Red Bull on weight lifting. The study did not determine any improvement in lifting after consumption. Another study was conducted by Utah State University using a low-calorie caffeine energy drink with taurine on 20 NCAA Division I football players, and they did not run faster or perform better in various athletic events.
When choosing a drink, water is the best option. You may even consider adding lemon/lime drops to your water. Smoothies with added fruit and a quality protein powder also help with energy. Do your research to determine which drink is right for you and what positive and negative effects it may cause.