The Hidden Dangers of Energy Drinks: What You Need to Know
We all reach out for an energy drink, once in a while, as it boosts our energy, increases our focus /concentration and charges our mind and body. All said and done, but do you know that energy drinks are potentially dangerous for your health? Yes, you read it right. The heavy sugar and caffeine content in these energy drinks is potentially damaging to health.
Fact: Many get their energy “kick” from energy drinks like Red Bull / Mountain Dew. Let us see what they contain
Red bull
- Caffeine 160mg, Sugar 54g, Taurine 2000 mg, Gluconolactone 1200 mg, unspecified quantities of Inositol, vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12
Mountain dew
- Caffeine 72 mg, Sugar 61, Carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, concentrated orange juice, citric acid, natural flavour, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, gum Arabic, erythorbic acid, calcium disodium, yellow 5 (artificial colour)
Composition
Energy drinks contain amino acid taurine and herbal extracts like ginseng and guarana. Individual consumption of taurine, ginseng, and guarana (a plant extract stimulant) may be beneficial for their respective properties – i.e. being anti-inflammatory/antioxidant, energy enhancer, brain, and cardiovascular health supporter, but when they all come together, with caffeine and sugar, it becomes a ticking time bomb!
The number one stimulant is Coffee. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a Venti coffee from Starbucks contains 410 mg of caffeine, which is 10 mg more than the daily requirement for a healthy adult. The ideal requirement of caffeine per day is 400 mg.
Risks associated with energy drinks
Sporadic consumption of energy drinks may be permissible, but frequent consumption, daily, gives rise to health risks.
- Insulin resistance: Energy drinks with caffeine and added sugars lead to insulin resistance and spike blood sugar levels. Therefore, diabetic patients should best avoid energy drinks.
- Blood pressure surge: Caffeine content in energy drinks spikes blood pressure as it constricts the blood vessels and releases adrenaline.
- Enhanced cardiovascular issues: Energy drinks with caffeine content lead to irregular heart rhythms (arrythmias), aortic dissection, cardiomyopathy, coronary thrombosis, coronary vasospasm and heart attack.
- Stress: According to a 2021 review, 35% of participants showed signs of stress; 25% of participants showed symptoms of jitteriness, restlessness, and shaking hands.
- Insomnia: According to a 2021 review, 35% of participants showed signs of insomnia, having trouble falling asleep and sleep disorders, due to the high sugar and caffeine content in energy drinks.
- Mood swings: Energy drink consumption leading to insomnia can cause mood swings, low attention span and cognitive functions.
- Depression: Consumption of energy drinks by patients, undergoing medication, for underlying mental issues like anxiety or depression, may alleviate their symptoms.
- Digestive issues: According to research reviews (2017 and 2023), it has been observed that some contents of energy drinks irritate the lining of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, leading to abdominal pain, gastritis, upset GI, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea.
- Stroke: Energy drinks cause reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) , a sudden spasm of the blood vessels that restricts the blood supply or leads to brain haemorrhage.
- Dental issues: Energy drinks are highly acidic (having a very low pH) that erode tooth enamel, causing dental issues like cavities, sensitivity, etc., with the sugar content, lending a hand by reacting with the acidic nature.
- Weight gain: Energy drinks with high sugar and calorie contents lead to weight gain.
- Dehydration: Caffeine is a diuretic, which tends to make you pass more urine, resulting in loss of fluid from the body and dehydration.
- Liver & kidney issues: According to a 2023 review, energy drinks may cause kidney issues like hyponatremia and rhabdomyolysis, owing to their high content of caffeine and vitamin B3.
Energy drink combinations
- Energy drinks combined with alcohol reduce the effects of alcohol thereby however much of the combo you drink, you won’t feel drunk.
- Energy drinks paired with medication is a big “No-No”, as this may elevate or alleviate the effects of your medication, thereby posing serious health hazards.
Who should not consume energy drinks
The risks of energy drinks are diverse and they are best avoided by the following :
- Children
- Adolescents
- Pregnant women
- Patients with underlying health conditions – heart/kidney patients
- Patients under constant medication for their illness – hypertension, depression etc.
Most common comfort foods around the world
Staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, regular exercise, resting enough, managing stress, balancing work and recreation, staying happy, is the ideal way to stay energetic and take care of your mind and body. This is the best “energy drink” ever.
Doctors do not recommend consuming energy drinks owing to their health risks. Natural beverages like water, coconut water, soups, consuming water based fruits and vegetables provide required hydration and are beneficial to the body.
So, next time you fell the urge to swig an energy drink, think about the harm it will cause to your body. Do you still consider it an “energy drink”? I think – not!
