Energy drinks were invented relatively recently, although the invigorating effects of the substances they contain have been known since ancient times. Since the invention of energy tonics, they have seemed like a panacea during work deadlines, student exams, and sports training. It seemed that a source of energy was always at hand. But things are not so simple with these "energizing cocktails."
The active consumption of energy drinks negatively impacts health. This is warned by Ksenia Yurievna Simbirceva, a cardiologist at the Medical Network "Dobrobut," and a candidate of medical sciences.
Doctors are seriously concerned about the significant increase in the popularity of energy drinks in recent years. People consume them in large quantities, which can pose serious health risks. The consumption of energy tonics is particularly dangerous for children and teenagers, as these drinks are readily available and widely advertised.
According to a study conducted by Sara M. Zeifert and her colleague from the Department of Pediatrics and Child Integrative Medicine at the University of Miami, about 30% of consumers are children, and 50% are teenagers and young adults. In 2007, 46% of caffeine overdose cases in the U.S. out of a total of 5,448 cases involved individuals under the age of 19. As the study authors state, a single can of the drink contains caffeine ranging from 75 to 400 milligrams, while the recommended caffeine limit is 75 milligrams. The caffeine content in energy drinks increases due to the addition of products like guarana, kola nut, mate, and cocoa. The authors strongly recommend not exceeding a caffeine consumption dose of more than 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day for children and 100 milligrams per day for teenagers. It is also important to consider that safe consumption levels of other ingredients in these drinks have not been established.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide, Australia, found that consuming energy drinks increases the risk of heart function disorders. As a result of consuming energy drinks, palpitations may intensify, heart rhythm may be disrupted, and chest pain may occur. The results of the study were published in the International Journal of Cardiology.
The effect of consuming energy drinks lasts for a day. At the same time, the body takes 12 hours to eliminate the caffeine obtained from the drink from the bloodstream. According to the analysis of Australian scientists, among patients who sought medical attention with complaints of palpitations during the period from 2014 to 2015, about 70% had consumed energy drinks at least once in their lives. Approximately 36% of patients had consumed one or more servings of the drinks in the 24 hours prior to experiencing these symptoms. The maximum number of drinks consumed by the patients whose data was studied was up to 12 servings. Thus, scientists found a direct proportional relationship between the amount of energy drinks consumed and the intensity of heart palpitations. Cases of liver and kidney damage, respiratory illnesses, increased excitability, confusion, seizures, psychotic states, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and heart failure were also recorded.
To this day, the physiological effects of individual energy drink ingredients and their interactions with medications remain unexplored. Therefore, consuming energy drinks not only poses the risk of caffeine overdose but can also lead to other unpredictable reactions in the body.
Alcoholic beverages that contain caffeine also cause significant harm. In this case, alcohol not only impairs the ability to assess the situation soberly but also slows the breakdown of caffeine. The latter can lead to a dangerous increase in caffeine concentration in the blood.
Therefore, although caffeine is one of the safest stimulants, in large quantities, it can cause substantial harm to people with cardiovascular diseases. It should also be noted that energy drinks have a diuretic effect. Considering that not everyone consumes enough water, energy drinks can provoke dehydration.
So, when deciding to purchase another bottle of energy drink, remember that it’s not just an increase in energy levels but also a potential threat to your health!
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