7 Dangerous Side Effects Of Energy Drinks
Youthful men, women, people resort to caffeinated drinks to build their energy levels, the vast majority go after some espresso or tea. Be that as it may, lately, caffeinated drinks have been the jolt of energy of decision, particularly among more youthful individuals.
But, here’s the warning: Researchers from the University of Texas at Houston have found that these high-caffeine, high-sugar beverages have a negative impact on heart health.
Read also: Signs of Heart Attack
Here are some potential negative and long-term effects of consuming energy drinks:
1. Increased risk of heart problems: The high caffeine content in energy drinks can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of heart problems such as heart disease and heart attacks.
4. Increased risk of addiction: Regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to dependence and addiction. The caffeine and other stimulants in these drinks can create a cycle of dependence, where individuals need to consume more and more to feel the same effects.
5. Dehydration: Many energy drinks can lead to dehydration due to their high caffeine and sugar content. This can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
6. Increased risk of obesity: The high sugar content in energy drinks can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of obesity over time. This can contribute to other health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
7. Potential interactions with medications: Energy drinks can interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants, and cause harmful side effects. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming energy drinks if you are taking any medications.
How energy drinks put a squeeze on our blood circulation
In addition, their high sugar content raises blood glucose levels – which can cause (or make worse) metabolic disorders like diabetes and prediabetes. (Read more: Home Remedies To Use For Diabetes)
For the study, the researchers examined 44 college students from the McGovern Medical School at UT Health. All participants were non-smokers, in their 20s and generally ‘healthy.’
Since the subject was young, they all had strong endothelium – which is the layer lining the inner walls of blood vessels. And, remember, endothelium integrity is crucial to heart health.
Now, for the shocking results: the effect of energy drinks on otherwise normal endothelium was measured using ultrasound both before and after consuming a 24 oz. energy drink.
Ninety minutes after consuming the drink, endothelial function was tested for vessel diameter and arterial blood flow.
How perfectly good blood vessels get damaged by just ONE drink
After just 90 minutes, artery inner diameter was reduced by half – from 5.1 percent to around 2.8 percent on average. The researchers believe this effect is due to the high levels of caffeine, sugar, and taurine as well as many stimulating herbal ingredients.
As agitating as too much caffeine can be, the researchers believe it’s the high sugar content of these drinks that is the biggest culprit of severe blood vessel constriction. A drink like Red Bull contains 37 grams of sugar – equivalent to over NINE TEASPOONS.
However, caffeine is a factor as well, causing a rapid release of adrenaline in the body. Each 250 ml drink contains around 80mg of caffeine, which is two and a half times what a can of soda contains.
This hormone adrenaline raises both heart rate and blood pressure.
Editor’s note: This article should be considered a ‘red alert’ for young athletes, in particular. Don’t combine your high-intensity training with these drinks. The result could be a deadly heart attack.
If yo need to boost your energy levels, don’t resort to energy drinks which in turn will do you more harm than good. Fruit and vegetable juice will do the magic. All you need is a juicer machine,
The University of Texas at Houston study is the first research of its kind showing how and why energy drinks can cause harm. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that around one-third of teenagers age 12 to 17 consume these high-caffeine sugary drinks regularly.
Find natural alternatives to energy drinks
Finding natural, low-sugar ways to boost energy is always better for long-term health results. If you’re a parent of a teenager reaching for one of these beverages: warn them about the heart attack risk, restrict their consumption and encourage healthier options.
For example, green tea, coconut water, and freshvegetable-fruit juices have (natural) energizing properties, and they are much healthier than high-sugar, caffeine-infused options. Once you get started, you’ll never look back.
Don’t forget: good health is one of our greatest assets. We should do everything possible to protect it.
But, here’s the warning: Researchers from the University of Texas at Houston have found that these high-caffeine, high-sugar beverages have a negative impact on heart health.
Intake of energy drinks increase your heart attack risk within 90 minutes of consumption
Within just 90 minutes of having one of these drinks, blood vessels can constrict dramatically – by as much as half in some cases. This reduces blood supply and nutrients to the body’s organs and inhibits their function.
Within just 90 minutes of having one of these drinks, blood vessels can constrict dramatically – by as much as half in some cases. This reduces blood supply and nutrients to the body’s organs and inhibits their function.
Read also: Signs of Heart Attack
7 Dangerous Side Effects Of Energy Drinks
Here are some potential negative and long-term effects of consuming energy drinks:
1. Increased risk of heart problems: The high caffeine content in energy drinks can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Over time, this can lead to an increased risk of heart problems such as heart disease and heart attacks.
Learn more:9 Reasons Why Soft Drinks Are Harmful To Your Health
2. Negative impact on mental health: Regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The caffeine and other stimulants in these drinks can disrupt normal sleep patterns and cause irritability, mood swings, and even hallucinations in extreme cases.
3. Tooth decay and erosion: Many energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and acid, which can lead to tooth decay and erosion over time. The acid can wear down tooth enamel and lead to cavities, while the sugar can feed harmful bacteria in the mouth.
2. Negative impact on mental health: Regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The caffeine and other stimulants in these drinks can disrupt normal sleep patterns and cause irritability, mood swings, and even hallucinations in extreme cases.
3. Tooth decay and erosion: Many energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and acid, which can lead to tooth decay and erosion over time. The acid can wear down tooth enamel and lead to cavities, while the sugar can feed harmful bacteria in the mouth.
4. Increased risk of addiction: Regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to dependence and addiction. The caffeine and other stimulants in these drinks can create a cycle of dependence, where individuals need to consume more and more to feel the same effects.
Learn more:20 Negative Effects of Caffeine on Health
5. Dehydration: Many energy drinks can lead to dehydration due to their high caffeine and sugar content. This can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
6. Increased risk of obesity: The high sugar content in energy drinks can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of obesity over time. This can contribute to other health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.
7. Potential interactions with medications: Energy drinks can interact with certain medications, such as antidepressants, and cause harmful side effects. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming energy drinks if you are taking any medications.
How energy drinks put a squeeze on our blood circulation
Keep in mind: blood flow constriction to the heart increases the risk of both heart attacks and a stroke. And, that’s exactly what happens when you drink these beverages. (Read Also: How To Improve Circulation With Cayenne Pepper)
In addition, their high sugar content raises blood glucose levels – which can cause (or make worse) metabolic disorders like diabetes and prediabetes. (Read more: Home Remedies To Use For Diabetes)
For the study, the researchers examined 44 college students from the McGovern Medical School at UT Health. All participants were non-smokers, in their 20s and generally ‘healthy.’
Since the subject was young, they all had strong endothelium – which is the layer lining the inner walls of blood vessels. And, remember, endothelium integrity is crucial to heart health.
Now, for the shocking results: the effect of energy drinks on otherwise normal endothelium was measured using ultrasound both before and after consuming a 24 oz. energy drink.
Ninety minutes after consuming the drink, endothelial function was tested for vessel diameter and arterial blood flow.
How perfectly good blood vessels get damaged by just ONE drink
After just 90 minutes, artery inner diameter was reduced by half – from 5.1 percent to around 2.8 percent on average. The researchers believe this effect is due to the high levels of caffeine, sugar, and taurine as well as many stimulating herbal ingredients.
As agitating as too much caffeine can be, the researchers believe it’s the high sugar content of these drinks that is the biggest culprit of severe blood vessel constriction. A drink like Red Bull contains 37 grams of sugar – equivalent to over NINE TEASPOONS.
However, caffeine is a factor as well, causing a rapid release of adrenaline in the body. Each 250 ml drink contains around 80mg of caffeine, which is two and a half times what a can of soda contains.
This hormone adrenaline raises both heart rate and blood pressure.
Editor’s note: This article should be considered a ‘red alert’ for young athletes, in particular. Don’t combine your high-intensity training with these drinks. The result could be a deadly heart attack.
If yo need to boost your energy levels, don’t resort to energy drinks which in turn will do you more harm than good. Fruit and vegetable juice will do the magic. All you need is a juicer machine,
The University of Texas at Houston study is the first research of its kind showing how and why energy drinks can cause harm. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that around one-third of teenagers age 12 to 17 consume these high-caffeine sugary drinks regularly.
Find natural alternatives to energy drinks
Finding natural, low-sugar ways to boost energy is always better for long-term health results. If you’re a parent of a teenager reaching for one of these beverages: warn them about the heart attack risk, restrict their consumption and encourage healthier options.
For example, green tea, coconut water, and freshvegetable-fruit juices have (natural) energizing properties, and they are much healthier than high-sugar, caffeine-infused options. Once you get started, you’ll never look back.
Don’t forget: good health is one of our greatest assets. We should do everything possible to protect it.
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
