Effects of Energy drinks on the body
Energy drinks......just the thought of it makes me thirsty, we use it to dilute alcohol, for hangover recovery and just to give us the right energy to get us through the day. Energy drinks have become increasingly popular over the last few years, and with their association with sports and an active lifestyle, you could easily think that energy drinks might be good for you and despite using it for a number of reasons there has to be some sought of side or long term effects on the body. Energy drinks have the effects caffeine and sugar provide, but there is little or no evidence that the wide variety of other ingredients have any effect. However, a variety of physiological and psychological effects have been attributed to energy drinks and their ingredients. Two studies reported significant improvements in mental and cognitive performances as well as increased subjective alertness. Excess consumption of energy drinks may induce mild to moderate euphoria primarily caused by stimulant properties of caffeine and may also induce agitation, anxiety, irritability and insomnia. During repeated cycling tests in young healthy adults an energy drink significantly increased upper body muscle endurance. It has also been suggested that reversal of caffeine withdrawal is a major component of the effects of caffeine on mood and performance. Consumption of a single energy drink will not lead to excessive caffeine intake, but consumption of two or more drinks in a single day can.Other stimulants such as ginseng are often added to energy drinks and may enhance the effects of caffeine, and ingredients such as guarana themselves contain caffeine. Adverse effects associated with caffeine consumption in amounts greater than 400 mg include nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and dyspepsia. Consumption also has been known to cause pupil dilation when taken with certain antidepressants. Most mainstream energy drinks do not provide electrolytes, and have a higher likelihood of an energy "crash-and-burn" effect. Caffeine in energy drinks can cause the excretion of water from the body to dilute high concentrations of sugar entering the blood stream, leading to dehydration. If the body is dehydrated by 1%, performance is decreased by up to 10%.
Health Risks of Energy Drinks
There are a number of health risks associated with energy drinks, including:
- Caffeine intoxication
- Caffeine withdrawal symptoms, including headaches
- Caffeine overdose, which can be life-threatening
- Cardiovascular problems
- Raised blood pressure
- Obesity
- Sleep disorders
- Calcium deficiency
