Energy drink sales have mushroomed to become an international multi-billion-dollar industry. Energy drinks typically contain high doses of synthetic caffeine which, when taken in large doses, has the effect of increasing alertness while decreasing drowsiness.
OTC cough and cold medicines contain multiple ingredients to address different symptoms, so it is essential that you read labels to ensure you do not take an unnecessary dosage of any medication.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a bitter white crystalline alkaloid extracted from the seeds of the Coffea plant and used as a beverage additive to relieve drowsiness, increase alertness, and enhance cognitive performance. Overconsuming caffeine may lead to cardiovascular and blood vessel issues as well as anxiety, digestive distress, dehydration and irritability; additionally, caffeine interferes with sleep patterns making it hard for one to sleep which in turn contributes to insomnia and an weakened immune system.
Caffeine safety has long been debated, with studies showing both adverse effects and no effect. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine daily without experiencing adverse health outcomes, though added sugar-containing products should be avoided and children shouldn’t consume more than two caffeinated products daily.
Energy drinks typically contain various levels of caffeine, along with other ingredients like taurine, guarana and herbal extracts like ginseng. An eight-ounce cup of coffee typically contains 80 milligrams while 16-ounce energy drinks may contain double that amount; natural sources of caffeine like yerba mate or guarana may not even be listed on ingredient lists so consumers could be taking in more caffeine than they realize.
Large amounts of caffeine can have various side effects depending on your individual sensitivity and metabolism, according to Columbia University Vagelos College physician David Buchholz. Side effects may include jitters, nervousness, stomach upset and bleeding as well as exacerbating heart conditions like arrhythmias. When combined with alcohol beverages it can produce further symptoms like tremors dizziness difficulty breathing etc.
Energy drink consumption can be highly hazardous for young people and teens due to their still developing cardiovascular and neurological systems. A recent study of cardiac arrest survivors revealed that five percent had consumed caffeinated energy drinks prior to experiencing cardiac events.
Instead of turning to energy drinks to start your day off right, opt for foods that provide natural forms of caffeine and nutrients – such as black or green tea, fruit, oatmeal or milk – as source of nourishment. A diet comprised of fruits, vegetables and lean proteins can give you all of the energy you need for an eventful day!
Sugar
Sugar is a sweet, colorless, water-soluble sweetener found naturally in seed plant sap and mammal milk, with its chemical formula Cn (H2O)n. Sugar can be used in tabletop sugar production as well as industrial sweetener manufacturing and various foods and beverages containing added sweeteners such as jams, candies or chocolate products.
Most energy drinks contain more sugar than an 8-ounce (237-ml) cup of coffee, leading to spikes in blood sugar levels that could prove harmful for those living with diabetes or following low-sugar diets. Just one 16-ounce (473-ml) can of one of these energy drinks can contain 54 grams — more than 14 teaspoons!
Energy drinks contain high amounts of sugar that can contribute to weight gain and dental issues, as well as help develop type 2 diabetes. Over time, excessive ingestion of energy drinks has also been known to lead to heart conditions like tachycardia and jitters as well as kidney and liver damage from overindulging in such beverages.
Mixing energy drinks and cold medicines intended to increase alertness can be extremely risky, particularly for people who already suffer from preexisting health conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure. Stimulants found in certain energy drinks could amplify the effects of these medicines and lead to adverse reactions such as tremors or seizures.
Energy drinks contain many of the same ingredients found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, and their combination has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among young adults. When combined with alcohol, this beverage combination can be especially harmful; particularly harmful when combined with adolescents and teens. These beverages are popular among these groups due to youth-targeted marketing; sponsorship of sporting events or use in video games is just one way in which these drinks attract young consumers; plus they’re widely available and easy to obtain; regardless of any warning labels placed on them, many teens and young adults continue consuming these products regularly despite these warning labels on labels warning them against such practices.
Other Ingredients
Energy drinks often contain ingredients with potentially adverse health impacts, including caffeine and the amino acids guarana, taurine and L-carnitine, that can lead to heart palpitations, jitteriness and higher blood pressure. Sugary beverages also contribute to weight gain, obesity, diabetes and tooth decay in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children should consume no more than six additional teaspoons of added sugar daily according to this recommendation. Caffeine found in energy drinks can interact with certain medications prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or mood stabilizers containing lithium, as well as augment the effectiveness of cold medications containing pseudoephedrine. UNC Health pharmacist Amy Donnelly, PharmD suggests podiatric physicians consult this table of drug interactions when counseling their patients about potential interactions between energy drinks and prescription medicines.
Overconsumption
Energy drinks are a multibillion-dollar industry that promise to increase stamina and mental alertness. Popular among young adults, energy drinks may often be overconsumed or mixed with substances such as cold medications resulting in adverse health consequences.
Moderate amounts of caffeine may help increase mental alertness, while excessive consumption can have adverse side effects like irritability, sleep disruption, muscle tremors and jitteriness. Furthermore, high doses may raise blood pressure and heart rate as well as cause gastrointestinal upset and dehydration – in extreme cases leading to cardiac arrest and seizures.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry suggests that children 12-18 consume no more than 100 milligrams of caffeine a day, roughly equivalent to one cup of coffee. Most energy drinks contain far more caffeine, along with stimulants like guarana, taurine and methylxanthines; in addition, herbs like ginseng L-carnitine and Ginkgo biloba may act as additional stimulants.
Energy drinks contain caffeine and sugar, which may have side effects similar to those associated with caffeine-dependent drinks like coffee. Overconsumption can result in weight gain, raised blood pressure and imbalanced electrolyte balances within the body – as well as possibly interfering with medications like antidepressants, sedatives or anti-seizure drugs.
Energy drinks contain ingredients which remain untested, and their long-term safety remains unknown. Consuming these drinks may worsen mental health conditions and lead to addiction; moreover, diverting funds away from essential expenses like food and clothing.
Numerous schools have taken steps to discourage their students from consuming these products. One school in Hove, England requested local shops not sell beverages to its students due to research demonstrating their adverse impact on concentration in class; as a result of these negotiations with stores who agreed not to stock these drinks; similar efforts may also be necessary in other countries to counteract overconsumption’s negative side effects.
