Energy drinks are caffeinated beverages which contain legal stimulants and are marketed for boosting energy levels, improving mental performance, and aiding weight loss. Popular brands contain high amounts of sweeteners, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Energy drinks contain above 70mg of caffeine per serving; this is even higher than soda.
Some energy drinks are advertised to be caffeine free but contain a similar substance called guarana and artificial sweeteners.
Energy drinks have varying levels of caffeine and the body’s response to caffeine varies. Caffeine is generally considered safe as long as it doesn’t supersede 400 milligrams a day for healthy adults. Because energy drinks are not regulated this means that caution needs to be exercised when drinking. Energy drinks do not and should not replace food, neither are they a dietary supplement. Here are some tips on energy drinks.
Energy drinks must not be used whilst exercising.
Energy drinks should not be combined with alcohol. Taking a stimulant and depressant together is an oxymoron. People mix these drinks together in attempts to reduce the effect of the alcohol; however, research has found that people drink more and have higher blood alcohol levels when they combine alcohol and caffeine. It also causes increased cases of headaches and hangover.
Alcohol and energy drinks are both diuretics and stop metabolism of the alcohol.
Even as their popularity has grown, energy drinks have come under scrutiny for potential health effects including headaches, heart rhythm problems, increased blood pressure, acting as diuretics and preventing sleep and—in rare cases—cardiac arrest. Children and adolescents should never be allowed to consume energy drinks.
The next time you are stressed and need to put in an all night work session, think twice before you pick the next can of energy drink. It may be another reason your stress level is increasing.
