Are Energy drinks bad: 8 things to know!

Excessive caffeine intake can increase heart rate and blood pressure, cause tremors, agitation, gastrointestinal upset, and more. Policy makers should consider creating a separate regulatory category for energy drinks (EDs), setting an evidence-based upper limit on caffeine, restricting sales of energy drinks (EDs), and regulating existing energy drinks (ED) marketing strategies. -

High sugar in energy drinks

Energy drinks are loaded with stimulants such as caffeine, taurine, and sugar. They are intended to provide a purported energy boost and are often marketed to young adults and teenagers as “giving them wings”. While EDs may give a jolt of energy, the high doses of caffeine and sugar found in the beverages can cause serious negative health effects.

Long term health issues

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Functional beverages such as sports drinks provide hydration but contain less sugar than soda-like drinks like energy drinks. There is limited evidence on the health effects on children and young adults who consume these beverages. Despite this lack of evidence, it is important to consider restricting access to these beverages among children and teenagers due to potential long-term effects on their health.    

Caffeine intoxication

Caffeinated energy drinks can cause caffeine intoxication, which can occur when excessive amounts of caffeine are consumed. Many energy drinks contain more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per serving, and frequent consumers may not be aware of how many energy drinks they are consuming.

This poses serious health risks, as doses above 200 milligrams have been linked to agitation, gastrointestinal upset and even palpitations. Additionally, more than 400 milligrams per day may pose health risks for teenagers and young adults. According to the American Journal of Health Sciences, these health risks include anxiety, headaches, dizziness and fatigue.    

Heart problems

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Energy drinks can contain up to 400 mg of caffeine per day and some have even higher levels. This increase in high caffeine content can be dangerous for some people and can lead to serious heart issues.

It is recommended that an average person should consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is the safe limit set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).   

However, many energy drinks contain much more caffeine than the recommended amount. Increasing your consumption of energy drinks can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, which can put you at risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Increase in stress and anxiety

Studies have also shown that energy drinks can raise stress levels and cause anxiety. Furthermore, John Higgins, a professor of medicine at the University of Texas Medical School, has conducted research on the effects of energy drinks on blood pressure and heart rate. He found that consuming too much caffeine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure and pose health risks such as thicker blood which may interrupt your sleep or worse yet, cause other issues with your blood vessel function.    

Risk of developing diabetes

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Regularly drinking energy drinks also increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver disease and kidney problems. Furthermore, energy drinks are often loaded with high levels of sugar which can contribute to obesity and cause damage to your nerves and blood vessels.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting intake of added sugars to no more than 100 calories or 6 teaspoons a day for women and 150 calories or 9 teaspoons a day for men. Following dietary guidelines such as these can help reduce your risk of developing health problems associated with the high intake of sugar found in energy drinks.  

Increases risk of obesity

Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, which can cause excessive sugar intake. This can lead to obesity and put individuals at an increased risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. Energy drinks are often advertised as a way to boost energy, but they do not offer any healthy alternatives.

Adverse effects on children

The American Academy of Paediatrics discourages the consumption of energy drinks in children due to their potential to cause adverse health effects. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has also warned that high caffeine consumption may lead to rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and even cause inflammation, including cancer. The public health issue of regulating existing energy drinks has come to the forefront in recent years due to the marketing strategies used by ED companies, which have been found to target young people. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has also considered regulating energy drinks by requiring warning labels and restricting sales of these beverages to certain age groups.

Why to put a hold on your consumption of energy drinks?

Due to the adverse nutritional content of energy drinks, there is a need for policy makers and health officials to consider regulation. Evidence suggests that total caffeine consumption should be taken into account when considering regulation, as well as the subsequent health effects on people who consume these beverages regularly. Additionally, research has shown that high consumption of energy drinks can lead to adverse cardiovascular effects, such as increased risk for stroke or heart attack.

It is therefore important for consumers to make informed decisions about their ED consumption and consider the potential health risks associated with consuming these beverages in large quantities or over an extended period of time.   

Studies have evaluated the influence of EDs on cardiovascular and metabolic health, and suggest that there may be adverse effects associated with their consumption. Specifically, it has been proposed that frequent or excessive consumption of EDs may be linked to negative health consequences such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and increased risk of stroke.

Additionally, the high levels of caffeine and sugar contained in these drinks has also been linked to metabolic effects such as insulin resistance. Furthermore, research has indicated that the prevalence of ED consumption is increasing amongst adolescents and young adults which suggests a need for further research into their potential long-term health effects.

Consume mindfully and look for alternatives

In conclusion, while there are other energy drinks available with lower levels of constituents than those discussed here, it is important to consider the evidence suggesting that frequent or excessive ED consumption could lead to negative health effects before making a decision about how much ED should be consumed at any given time.    

It is also important to note that energy drinks contain other active ingredients, such as B vitamins, taurine, l-carnitine and added sugars which can provide quick energy and intensifies the effect of caffeine but may also lead to certain cardiovascular issues. The Sports Nutrition Position Statement suggests that EDs should be consumed with caution due to their high levels of caffeine and sugars and the potential for increased risk of high blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues.

While some amino acids contained in EDs could potentially provide ergogenic benefits for athletes, it is not recommended that they be used as a substitute for sports nutrition. Ultimately, it is best to limit your intake of EDs and focus on consuming healthy foods and drinks as part of an overall balanced diet.