Energy Drinks and Carbonated Drinks

Energy drinks are beverages that have high amounts of caffeine and other similar stimulants such as ginseng and guarana. Commonly available energy drinks include Monster, Red Bull, Rock Star, Full Throttle, Cocaine, and Rage. The average amount of caffeine in an energy drink can vary from 75 milligrams to 200 milligrams per serving. On the other hand, the amount of caffeine in carbonated drinks ranges between 30 to 60 milligrams per serving. There are certain energy drinks which are advertised as ‘no caffeine drinks’. These energy drinks instead contain guarana which is similar to caffeine. Some energy drinks might also contain B vitamins. However, it is important to note that these vitamins can be consumed by eating a variety of day-to-day foods or even taking daily supplements of minerals and vitamins.

Energy drinks do provide a boost but it is very short-lived and can have serious health ramifications.

Dangers of Consuming Energy Drinks

Some of the dangers associated with consuming energy drinks are listed below:

• Cardiovascular Risks: The high concentration of caffeine found in energy drinks can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Consuming energy drinks can cause heart palpitations. Consuming energy drinks can also increase heart rate and blood pressure. People suffering from heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy should avoid drinking caffeine laced energy drinks as it increases their risk of high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, and sudden cardiac arrest.
• Alcohol addiction: People often mix alcohol and energy drinks to be awake for longer hours. Energy drinks work as stimulants and alcohol is known to work as a depressant. Combining the two leads to a masking effect of the levels of intoxication and people fail to realize the amount of alcohol they have consumed.
• Risk of drug abuse: Studies have shown that an over dependence on energy drinks leads to a subsequent dependence on prescription drugs.
• Weight gain: Almost all energy drinks have sugar. Consuming too much of energy drinks can lead to a weight gain owing to the sugar content of these drinks.
• Risk of miscarriage: Pregnant women should avoid drinking energy drinks. Studies have shown that consumption of about 200 milligrams of caffeine per day by pregnant women phenomenally increases their chances of a miscarriage.

See Also: Children And Teenagers Should Never Drink Energy Drinks, Doctors Say

• Increased risk of dehydration: Teenagers who become addicted to energy drinks often tend to drink energy drinks instead of water to quench their thirst. The stimulants present in energy drinks tend to act as diuretics and can propagate acute dehydration.
• Increased risk of mental health problems: Energy drinks are often consumed by teenagers to overcome their depression. Teenagers who are prone to depression and are alcoholic/substance abusers tend to drink energy drinks. The more intense consumers of energy drinks are likely to be more depressed and have a higher likelihood of indulging in substance abuse.