The health dangers of energy drinks

Energy drinks claim to provide people with increased energy levels that will keep them active and alert. Energy drinks are sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, hotels, and in some areas, even schools.

Children in school do not need to be consuming any type of beverage that contains stimulants, particularly those combined with sugar. Most energy drinks contain at least as much caffeine as a standard eight-ounce cup of coffee. In addition to large doses of caffeine, energy drinks contain excessive amounts of sugar and legal herbal stimulants.

Many people aren’t exactly sure about all the specific ingredients in energy drinks and what effect those ingredients can have on their body.

Common Energy Drink Ingredients:

Ginseng – A root that is believed to help reduce stress and increase energy levels.

Carnitine – An amino acid that helps to metabolize fatty acids.

Gingko Biloba – Created from the seeds of the gingko biloba tree, it has been shown to enhance memory.

Taurine – A natural amino acid produced by the human body. Taurine helps to regulate normal heart-beats and muscle contractions.

Inositol – A member of the B-complex Vitamin that assists in the relaying of messages between cells. Inositol is not a vitamin itself.

Guarana Seed – A stimulant that grows in Brazil and Venezuela which contains high levels of caffeine.

A concern with the use of the herbs in these drinks is their source. The manufacturers of energy drinks are not required to list whether or not the herbs they use have been sprayed with toxic pesticides, irradiated or watered with contaminated water supplies. There is no telling what other toxins are contained in these drinks and whether or not these herbs will have a negative effect.

The caffeine that is found in energy drinks is dangerous enough on its own. Not only is caffeine addictive, it acts as both a stimulant and a diuretic. As a stimulant, caffeine can cause anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, and insomnia.

When consumed in large or regular quantities, caffeine can make you jittery or irritable. Caffeine is a diuretic and causes your kidneys to remove extra fluid from your body. If consumed while sweating, the effects from energy drinks can compound and you become severely dehydrated quickly.

Many younger people have started mixing energy drinks with alcohol because it makes them feel alert and energetic, even when they are drunk. Alcohol and caffeine can lead to severe dehydration.

I recommend all people avoid drinking energy drinks, they only add more toxins to your body and decrease your body’s internal water supply and natural detoxification processes, the doctor said.

Mr Athar said Medical professionals simply do not know the long-term effects of consuming these beverages. It is known, however, that large amounts ofsugar and caffeine are harmful to our bodies. For people to utilize energy drinks during exercise or other strenuous activity compounds the problem of dehydration, and does nothing to provide the body with any necessary nutrients or fluids.