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Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Are Energy Drinks Bad for You?

Are energy drinks bad for you?
Source: www.nycapollo.org/are-energy-drinks-bad-for-you/

Energy drinks are not necessarily a healthy choice. They have, however, become quite popular with younger people over the past decade or so. Energy drinks have been promoted as natural products that will help you concentrate and perform better, thus they have become the younger generations primary choice when a pick-me-up is needed.

The majority of these popular drinks like Red Bull, Venom, and Adrenaline Rush, among others, contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar. Some reports show that the amount of caffeine in an energy drink was higher than 65 mg per 12 ounces, which is higher than the FDA limit set for soft drinks. The caffeine levels in energy drinks are not currently regulated by the FDA. Many of these drinks contain more than 80 mg of caffeine. To put these caffeine levels into perspective, a regular cup of coffee contains about 80 mg of caffeine, while a Mountain Dew contains around 37 mg.

Energy drinks should be consumed with caution. While studies do not link caffeine with any serious illness, caffeine does produce some side effects. Increased heart rate and blood pressure may occur with increased consumption of caffeine. Dehydration may also happen when a person exercising uses energy drinks as fitness beverages. Continued ingestion of caffeine may result in difficulty sleeping, stomach concerns and anxiety.

Along with caffeine and sugar, some of the energy drinks also contain legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng. Guarana is known as an effective energy booster. It contains almost twice the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans. According to some research studies guarana might have some metabolic effects like increased memory retention and physical endurance. Ginseng is supposed to be a promising dietary supplement while assessing a better quality life. According to some research studies ginseng can stimulate mental as well as physical activity,improve upon the accuracy of work, prevent fatigue, stimulate the endocrine glands, and improve memory. The complete benefits of these natural stimulants are still being studied.

In summation, even though energy drinks are not detrimental to your health, they are not particularly healthy either. If you use them, make sure you drink plenty of water in tandem so that you remain well hydrated. Be skeptical of claims of increased concentration and performance, because these terms can be misleading. Energy drinks are really just short-term energy fixes that are loaded with caffeine. Carefully check the label and know how you will be affected by the ingredients.

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