Energy drinks contain high concentrations of sugar, caffeine and other potentially hazardous ingredients that are detrimental to children and adolescents’ health. Energy drinks have been linked with cardiovascular, neurological and gastrointestinal complications.
Caffeine does not neutralize alcohol, leading people who combine these substances more likely to engage in risky behavior such as unprotected sexual encounters and drinking-and-driving incidents that could lead to injuries or deaths due to their combined effect.
1. Caffeine
Caffeine is a drug that stimulates (increases activity of) the brain and nervous system, found naturally in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate as well as in some dietary supplements. Caffeine shouldn’t cause harm in small doses for healthy adults; however, too much caffeine may make you feel jittery and cause difficulties sleeping, heart palpitations, anxiety disorders and gastrointestinal upset; excessive caffeine use could even interact with certain medications and be harmful for children, teens or those taking birth control pills or having heart conditions or pregnant.
The Food and Drug Administration has recommended that most adults consume 400 milligrams daily — the equivalent to four cups of coffee — while children and adolescents should limit themselves to 400 milligrams, the amount found in two cups of coffee. Caffeine may become addictive over time and could pose potential health hazards when combined with substances like sugary food, tobacco or alcohol consumption.
Energy drinks usually contain some form of caffeine. This ingredient may also be combined with ginseng extract, taurine, B vitamins (B3, B6 and B12), glucuronolactone (a glucose metabolite), herbal stimulants like kola nut, guarana, theobromine or yohimbine that may promote performance enhancement – though their scientific basis remains unknown and could subject athletes subject to anti-doping rules to inadvertent positive doping tests (25)
Caffeine can quickly absorb from the digestive tract into the bloodstream within one hour of ingestion, leading to temporary increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, muscle glucose release, as well as central nervous system stimulation by blocking adenosine receptors and increasing dopamine release more readily.
2. Taurine
Taurine is an essential amino acid found naturally within your body, particularly the brain and heart, where it helps boost energy and enhance mental and physical performance. You’ll often find this ingredient found in protein-rich foods such as meat or seafood and energy drinks.
Taurine has yet to be studied on humans, so we don’t know whether its safe at doses found in energy drinks. However, studies with mice indicated no adverse side effects when given high doses of taurine; furthermore, as it’s water soluble it doesn’t remain in your system for too long.
Before drinking energy drinks that contain taurine, always consult your healthcare provider first. Taurine supplements could interfere with how well medications such as antidepressants, some antiseizure medications and blood thinners work; it should therefore be avoided to protect overall health.
Taurine may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Although its mechanism remains unknown, taurine could reduce effectiveness of drugs that treat symptoms by altering proteins involved with mitochondrial function.
Taurine may help some individuals with metabolic syndrome (excess belly fat, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or triglyceride levels), though more research needs to be conducted in this area. If you already take medication for one of these conditions, check with your physician first before supplementing with taurine as they might recommend an easier and caffeine-free option instead.
3. B vitamins
B vitamins play an essential role in several essential cellular processes, including energy production, methyl donor generation, neurotransmitter synthesis and immune function. They serve as coenzymes in various cell reactions; their lack may even result in serious diseases.
Energy drinks have been linked with numerous adverse health outcomes, such as gastrointestinal disturbances, dehydration, nervousness and tachycardia; in addition to possible rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury seizures or arrhythmias – and have even been implicated as causes of death in some instances.
As well as caffeine, taurine and sugar, energy drinks also contain vitamin B3 (niacin), which has been shown to cause liver toxicity at pharmaceutical doses. Niacin’s effects include flushing and liver failure if taken at inappropriate levels.
Vitamin B6 is another widely found ingredient in energy drinks. Vitamin B6 plays an essential role in over 100 enzyme reactions that metabolize food into energy, as well as being involved in immune function, brain development, hormone regulation and treating premenstrual syndrome.
A case report presents the story of a patient who developed hypercobalaminemia – marked by elevated plasma vitamin B6 levels – after regularly drinking two to three energy drinks each day, following biliopancreatic diversion and subsequent energy drink consumption. As the authors state, this evaluation should include routine plasma vitamin B6 monitoring as well as critical review of any supplement use to avoid unexpected hypercobalaminemia.
4. Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals that contain a small electrical charge (positive or negative) when they dissolve in liquids like water, blood or body tissues. Your body uses electrolytes to regulate nerve and muscle function, regulate sweat flow and acidity and pressure balance as well as rebuild damaged tissue. After intense physical exertion, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea or illness that leads to dehydration you should replace lost electrolytes; commercial solutions (oral rehydration solution, Suero Oral or Pedialyte are good examples), however the best source of electrolytes comes from your food itself!
Electrolytes can be easily understood by considering salt water’s ability to conduct electricity. Each individual atom of sodium has a positive charge while chlorine’s negative charge creates separate positive and negative ions within the liquid that move freely between different regions.
Electrolytes lost through sweat or other fluid loss can leave your body suffering from cramping, weakness, fatigue and confusion; in severe cases this may even lead to seizures or fainting episodes. Drinking enough fluids and eating balanced meals should prevent most electrolyte imbalances; but should an issue exist your doctor may prescribe specific remedies for treating it.
Umm al-Qura University medical students recently conducted a survey indicating that energy drinks are widely consumed on campus without proper knowledge about their side effects, including heavy caffeine consumption that can lead to nervousness, insomnia, irritability and anxiety – particularly those with preexisting conditions such as ADHD. Young adults also abuse energy drinks by mixing them with alcohol in order to create the feeling of intoxication more quickly.
5. Other ingredients
Energy drinks (or “energy beverages”) contain carbonated or noncarbonated water combined with either sugar, sucralose or erythritol sweetener, caffeine, guarana, taurine L-carnitine glucuronolactone and herbs/vitamin supplements like B vitamins. Their manufacturers market them as providing both mental and physical stimulation; manufacturers claim these drinks improve sports performance and increase alertness during exercise while simultaneously decreasing mental fatigue and improving mood – however there is limited and contradictory evidence supporting their claims.
Energy drinks contain caffeine as their primary ingredient, which has been found to have several potentially dangerous side effects. Caffeine can increase heart rate and blood pressure as well as trigger arrhythmias; additionally it may lead to insomnia, stomach upset and dehydration; too much caffeine may interfere with sleep as well as being potentially detrimental for teens’ developing hearts and nervous systems.
Energy drinks often contain excessively high amounts of added sugar; one 16-ounce bottle typically contains between 54 to 62 grams, exceeding the daily maximum recommended for consumption. Consuming too much sugar may contribute to obesity, tooth decay and poor dental health.
Some ingredients found in energy drinks have not been thoroughly investigated and their safety remains uncertain. Ginseng may boost athletic performance and reduce stress, yet available evidence is conflicting; high doses may have adverse side effects. Taurine, which reportedly improves physical stamina and reaction time, remains controversial with no definitive evidence to back its claims; nonetheless many energy drink manufacturers assert its benefits.
