The Dangers of Energy Drinks

Sales of energy drinks is increasing and has reached $18.51 Billion in 2023. The most popular energy drink in the United States is Red Bull ($7.3 billion sales), followed by Monster ($5.5 billion sales).

Energy drinks typically contain taurine, ginseng, yerba mate, carnitine, creatine, acai, maltotextrin, inositol, glucuronolactone, ginko biloba, methylxanthines, Vitamin B, and guarana. Some of these might sound healthy; but due to large amounts of caffeine and sugar, it makes for an dangerous combination that can lead to increased blood sugar and decreased insulin sensitivity. They can also trigger stroke and can be a catalyst for anxiety, depression, tooth decay, weight gain, tachycardia, and mood swings due to the rapid increase in blood sugar. When the sugar high wears off, there is a “crash” causing blood sugar to drop. Not only are there cardiovascular affects, but there are neurological affects. Energy drinks also affect mental health, renal health, and gastrointestinal health.

Energy drinks typically contain 80-150 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces. This equates to two 12 ounce cans of soda or 5 ounces of coffee.

There are plenty of peer reviewed studies on this topic. One of them is called “The Dark Side of Energy Drinks: A Comprehensive Review of Their Impact on the Human Body.”1 This study can be found at the National Library of Medicine (PubMed).

Another study “Energy Drink Consumption: Beneficial and Adverse Health Effects,”2 found that consumption of energy drinks to myocardial infarction (heart attack) in healthy 17 and 19 year old boys. They have found that energy drink overconsumption can attribute to  aneurysm formation, atrial fibrillation, and rupture of large arteries. Overconsumption can also lead to stroke, epileptic seizure, high cortisol, mental health disorders, and violent behavior. These findings are quite alarming.

Interestingly, the study also showed some benefits from the consumption of energy drinks including improved memory, alertness and mood and better athletic performance. These benefits, however, are short-lived making the dangers outweigh the risks considerably. Not only that, but mixing energy drinks with medications or alcohol could be a recipe for disaster because alcohol is a depressant, and energy drinks are stimulants. Because they taste good, people are less aware of how much they are consuming.

As people become more aware of the health problems attributed to energy drinks, more and more companies are formulating healthier versions of these drinks. Although they may be better, it’s difficult to tell if the claims they are making are actually true. Labels are sometimes deceptive, and marketing something to be healthy can often increase sales. It’s best to read labels, use caution, and consume sparingly when it comes to energy drinks.

Instead of opting for that energy drink, try one of these instead:

·        Coffee (antioxidants, lessens the risk of cognitive decline, cancer, liver disease)

·         Black Tea (antioxidants, boosts heart health, gut health, reduces blood pressure, cholesterol)

·        Green Tea (lowers blood pressure, risk of heart disease, helps with weight loss, cholesterol)

·        Coconut Water (minerals, electrolytes, antioxidants)

·        Kombucha (probiotics to help digestion)

·        Electrolyte Drinks (replaces electrolytes to help avoid dehydration)

There is plenty of research that shows these alternatives may help improve focus and lead to better health. Many of them contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage the cells in the body and contribute to disease and premature aging.

 You can improve energy naturally by:

 ·        Staying hydrated

·        Getting plenty of sleep

·        Exercising

·        Eating healthy