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. 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.
There is no direct association of caffeine with serious health risks, but people react differently to it, and energy drinks should be treated with care as they contain more caffeine. Caffeine contained in energy drinks is most likely to boost the heart rate and raise the blood pressure and can also cause dehydration. Excess of caffeine can cause various problems like insomnia, anxiety, stomach related problems, and can also cause cardiac palpitations. You should remember that as energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, it would be smart of you if you do not use them as a fitness drink while doing exercises. The combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic (a substance that promotes fluid loss) quality of caffeine can leave you severely dehydrated.
In addition to caffeine and sugar, some energy drinks contain legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng. Guarana is said to be an effective energy booster. It contains about double the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans. Research has shown guarana may have some metabolic effects such as increased memory retention and physical endurance. Ginseng may be “a promising dietary supplement” when assessed for an increase in quality of life. Studies have shown that ginseng may stimulate mental and physical activity, improve accuracy of work, prevent fatigue, stimulate the endocrine glands, and improve memory. The full 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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