Can You Drink Energy Drinks With Cold Medicine?
Many people consume coffee, tea and energy drinks when suffering from cold or flu symptoms, but it is important to know that certain medications and caffeine may increase each other’s side effects. Furthermore, many ingredients in energy drinks have not been properly tested for safety and may include sugars, herbs and supplements that could cause adverse reactions.
Caffeine
Caffeine is an addictive stimulant that can increase alertness and athletic performance. Naturally occurring in coffee, black and green tea, cocoa drinks and soft beverages like cola soft drinks; added to some over-the-counter pain relievers and cold medicines; also present in energy drinks with doses up to twice what can be found in regular cup of coffee; in certain brands this amount may even double! However too much caffeine consumption may have serious health repercussions, including high blood pressure, heart palpitations, insomnia or psychosis – not to mention energy drinkers!
Energy drinks contain caffeine which can interact with certain cold and flu medications to worsen their side effects, for instance inhibiting their absorption such as antidepressants like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Paroxetine (Paxil). Furthermore, caffeine may thwart effectiveness of prescriptions designed to ease Alzheimer’s symptoms such as Donepezil (Aricept) and Rivastigmine (Exelon). Furthermore, caffeine may reduce absorption of levothyroxine (Synthroid), used against thyroid problems.
Some individuals consume large quantities of caffeine because it is promoted as an energy booster, without scientific support to back this claim up. Unfortunately, too much caffeine consumption can be dangerous and even life-threatening; too much caffeine consumption has been linked with cardiovascular and gastrointestinal complications including stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and heart palpitations; nervousness, irritability and agitation have all been reported after using too much caffeine.
Energy drinks often contain not only caffeine but also herbal extracts that have not been thoroughly researched or regulated by the FDA. While some of these substances may be sold as natural remedies, they can negatively interfere with some cold and flu medications.
Even though many can safely consume moderate quantities of caffeine, it’s essential that they understand the composition and potential toxicity of energy drinks. People with preexisting health conditions should limit their caffeine consumption and consult their physician to see if these drinks are appropriate for them. Healthcare providers can assist by providing education on energy drink risks as well as alternative energy sources and encouraging patients to stay hydrated through water or herbal tea consumption.
Sugar
As energy beverages have advanced from their neon-colored drinks that first hit supermarket shelves, many have taken on new packaging and marketing strategies that make them seem healthier. Unfortunately, even “sugar-free” varieties contain harmful amounts of acidity; this causes enamel erosion which in turn leads to serious long-term issues, including cavities and tooth loss.
Energy drinks contain high sugar levels that are harmful to our teeth when consumed regularly, particularly if multiple beverages are consumed during stressful exam or study periods. A typical large energy drink typically contains 21 teaspoons of sugar and enough caffeine equivalent to two and a half espresso shots; this combination poses particular danger for students consuming multiple drinks during these times.
These beverages not only damage teeth but are also highly acidic, providing fuel for bacteria to feed off of. Overexposure to acid also erodes enamel, weakening teeth and exposing their dentin core – leaving them more sensitive and likely to decay than before. Eroded enamel also makes teeth more prone to being sensitive when exposed to hot, cold or sweet foods.
Problematic energy drinks contain large quantities of artificial ingredients and preservatives that may contribute to numerous health concerns, interact with medications or cause adverse side effects in other ways.
Caffeine should be avoided by people suffering from certain medical conditions or illnesses, including heart disease, stomach ulcers or diabetes. Caffeine can increase blood pressure, interfere with sleep quality and lead to nausea; higher doses can even be toxic in terms of rapid heartbeats, tremors, headaches or seizures.
If you are sick and looking for an energy boost, drink water or non-caffeinated drinks instead of sugary ones. Staying hydrated during illness is crucial, yet sugary drinks will only slow your recovery further. Water can also help flush away mucus from your throat and mouth while clearing away mucus-related debris; other helpful beverages include clear soups/broths which keep the throat moist; as well as ice chips which provide soothing soreness relief while dissolving mucus buildup in your throat/mouth by dissolving mucus buildup by dissolving mucus buildup in the throat area.
Herbal Extracts
Herbal extracts are plant-produced compounds extracted from raw herbs that have been processed to isolate inert components for easy absorption into the bloodstream. There are various forms of herbal extracts produced, but they’re usually divided by what liquid they’re made with: water, alcohol or glycerin are the three most popular options used as base liquids for their manufacture. Herbal extracts can also be found as ingredients in products like tinctures, teas, syrups, essential oils ointments salves capsules or tablets for inert compounds extracted from plant-produced compounds extracted by extracting plant parts using extraction methods such as these three.
Herbs and plants can be extracted using various methods, depending on the desired properties of the extract. These may include alcohol extracts (tinctures), hot or cold water infusion of herbs such as roots or bark (decoctions) and long-term boiling in a liquid such as tea (macerates).
Some herbal extracts can be dried into powder form for use in products like capsules and tablets, while others are created using a supercritical process, in which carbon dioxide gas under high pressure and low temperature is used to separate out oily components of herbs from their oily components. Finally, liquid herbal extracts like tinctures, glycerite or vinegars may also be made as beneficial products; each has different effects but all offer unique solutions.
Other Ingredients
Energy drinks often contain chemicals designed to increase metabolism without physical exertion or stress, including high concentrations of glucose and various legal stimulants such as taurine (C2H7NO3S), which regulate heartbeat and blood pressure by altering calcium levels in cells.
Consuming large amounts of glucose over time damages cellular receptors for insulin, leading to insulin tolerance and eventually type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, chronic consumption increases cardiovascular risks such as tachycardia and arrhythmia.
As an energy drink is generally not recommended by healthcare practitioners, mixing any energy drink with cold and flu medications may increase their adverse side effects; furthermore, interactions can interfere with how our bodies process these medicines, thus prolonging their effects.
