Energy Drinks and Your Health

Energy drinks are everywhere. You can get them at the corner grocery store, at gas stations, even in bars.

But are they healthy?

Energy drinks are supposed to provide mental and physical stimulation; in other words, they can make you feel more alert. However, you need to be careful when drinking energy drinks because excessive consumption can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and irritability.

The active ingredients in energy drinks vary. The most common ingredients are caffeine and sugar, but they may also include any of the following:

• Ephedrine – a stimulant that is commonly found in weightloss products and decongestants. There are studies raising concern and issues about its effects on the heart.
• Taurine — a natural amino acid needed by the body to help regulate heart beat and muscle contractions. Currently, researchers are trying to discover its impact as an energy drink additive.
• Ginseng — a kind of root thought to have several medicinal benefits. It is said that ginseng relives stress and can increase your level of energy.
• Vitamin B — a group of vitamins that can change sugar to energy.
• Carnitine — an amino acid. Its effects can be mainly on the metabolism of fatty acids in the body.
• Creatine — an organic acid which energizes the muscles for muscle contraction.
• Inositol — a member of the vitamin B complex that helps relay messages within cells in the body.
• Ginkgo biloba – comes from the seeds of the ginkgo biloba tree. There are studies claiming it has memory enhancement capabilities.

Not all of these ingredients are good for you.

How Do Energy Drinks Increase Your Energy?

The reason energy drinks work is because the ingredients cause the pituitary gland to release adrenaline, which makes you heart beat faster, your eyes to dilate, and your liver to release extra sugar to your bloodstream. All this results in the extra surge of energy needed for intense physical or mental activity.

While the short term benefits may seem positive, long term effects from an energy drink can be a real downer. Once the temporary stimulation wears off, a sudden mental sluggishness sets in. Also, since it takes up to 12 hours for caffeine to completely leave your system, your sleep may be affected.

Some energy drinkers have reported getting “the shakes,” as well as experiencing hot flashes, dizziness, and lightheadedness.

Some energy drinks have instructions on how they should be used. Follow these instructions. And limit your consumption to no more than two drinks per day (preferably only one).

It is never a good idea to mix energy drinks with alcohol. You may think you are feeling alert and sober, but this is a false feeling and could lead to excessive drinking and dehydration.

Pregnant women, young children, and people with high blood pressure or heart disease should avoid consuming energy drinks.

While energy drinks may not be considered ‘unhealthy,’ they can adversely affect your health if overdone. As with everything, moderation is the key.