Top 10 Health Risks of an Energy Drink


Top 10 Health Risks of an Energy Drink

The researchers from World Health Organization (WHO) state that the health risks associated with energy drink consumption are primarily related to their caffeine content. An energy drink is a non-alcoholic drink that contains caffeine (usually its main ingredient), taurine, vitamins, and sometimes a combination of other ingredients (such as guarana and ginseng, among others), marketed for its perceived or actual benefits as a stimulant, for improving performance and for increasing energy.
 

 
Caffeine is a mild central nervous stimulant that occurs naturally in coffee beans, cocoa beans and tea leaves. In large doses, it can be profoundly toxic, resulting in arrhythmia, tachycardia, vomiting, convulsions, coma and death.
 

They have written a narrative review of studies on the health risks associated with energy drink consumption and policies related to energy drinks.

Potential risks associated with energy drink consumption include:

Health symptoms, including palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, convulsions and, in some cases, even death. The high caffeine content in Energy drinks can cause an arrhythmia in your body. Arrhythmia occurs when you feel a fluttering in your chest or rapid heart beat. In a healthy adult, these symptoms should be temporary and disappear on their own. You may also experience chest pain, restlessness, dizziness or shortness of breath, as reported by MayoClinic.com.
 

Increased risk of arterial hypertension: Information provided by the University of California states that intakes of more than 100 mg of caffeine per day can increase your risk of hypertension. Monster Energy drinks contain about 80 mg of caffeine per serving, or 160 mg per can. Severe side effects can occur after you consume 400 mg of caffeine in one day.
 

Type 2 diabetes as high consumption of caffeine reduces insulin sensitivity. Sugary drinks like Monstor  contain a lot of sugar (glucose) and additives. When you drink a sugary drink, your body has to process these by producing insulin. It�s suggested that the rapid spikes in glucose and insulin in your body cause insulin resistance. This can lead to type 2 diabetes.


Top 10 Health Risks of an Energy Drink Increased chances of miscarriages, low birthweight and stillbirths in pregnant women: There are several studies that have shown evidence for increased risk of miscarriage or early stillbirth delivery among pregnant women who consumed more than moderate amounts of caffeine. There is also a belief that caffeine stunts the growth of children and unborn babies. In 2013 another research showed that women who consumed caffeine had increased risk of delivering babies with lower birth weight.


Neurological and cardiovascular system effects in children and adolescents: According to the study "An emerging adolescent health risk: caffeinated energy drink consumption patterns among high school students.", the association of energy drinks with other potential negative health and behavioral outcomes suggests that use of these products may represent a marker for other activities that may negatively affect adolescent development, health and well-being.

 

 


 

Sensation-seeking behaviour: A study of 8,200 high school students in Atlantic Canada reported depression and showed, sensation seeking -- taking part in novel activities that provide excitement -- also was higher among those who reported consuming energy drinks compared to those who don't imbibe the caffeine-charged drinks.


Insomnia: Surveys collected by Joint Mental Health Advisory Team 7 (J-MHAT 7) during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2010 indicated that Soldiers who reported drinking three or more energy drinks a day were significantly more likely to report sleeping ≤4 hours a night on average than those consuming two drinks or fewer. Those who reported drinking three or more drinks a day also were more likely to report sleep disruption related to stress and illness and were more likely to report falling asleep during briefings or while on guard duty.  Do not consume Monster Energy drinks after lunchtime to avoid complications when trying to fall asleep.

 

 

Top 10 Health Risks of an Energy Drink Poor dental health:  Energy and sports drinks can damage tooth enamel, boosting the risk of cavities, according to a new study. They erode or thin out the enamel of the teeth, leaving them more susceptible to decay and sensitivity.

 


 

Increased risk of obesity, due to the high-sugar content of energy drinks. Rigorous review and analysis of the literature (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/)  reveal that caffeine and other stimulant substances contained in energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents. Furthermore, frequent or excessive intake of caloric sports drinks can substantially increase the risk for overweight or obesity in children and adolescents.

 

Risk of dangerous behaviour such as violence or unprotected sex, when alcohol is mixed with energy drinks: A major concern, the researchers say, is the number of young adults who mix energy drinks with alcohol. The EFSA study found that this occurs among 71% of adults aged 18-29 who consume energy drinks.

 


Although energy drinks are a relatively new class of beverage, they are quickly becoming as a central part of the partying subculture, particularly among young people who commonly mix energy drinks with alcohol

Toxicity surveillance should be improved, and regulations of energy drink sales and consumption should be based on appropriate research.

Ref:

 

Dated 22 October 2014

 

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