Use Caution With Energy Drinks
By Paul Rothbart
Energy drinks have become quite popular. The commercials are enticing. When you hit that mid-afternoon lull, just pop an energy drink and cruise through the rest of the day. Some people use them to boost sports performance. They have also become popular in cocktails, especially amongst college students. The car bomb is a commonly ordered drink with the younger set. Caution should be exercised when consuming these beverages. They perk you up because they are laced with caffeine and sugar and can be quite harmful. Here is some important information on energy drinks.
They Can Cause Physical Health Issues
In addition to caffeine, energy drinks contain stimulants such as guarana and taurine. These substances have no nutritional value and little is known about their effects on the body. Studies have shown that excessive consumption of energy drinks can raise blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Energy drinks have also been linked to kidney damage and stomachaches. The high sugar content can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and lead to crashes and fatigue when the energy boost wears off.
They Can Cause Mental Health Issues
Energy drinks have been linked to mental health problems as well. They can cause anxiety and stress possibly leading to depression. This is particularly dangerous for those predisposed to mental health issues. Excessive aggression and risk-taking behavior often result. This frequently manifests in substance abuse. Left unchecked, consistent overuse of energy drinks can lead to severe mental health problems.
They Can Be Dangerous Combined With Alcohol
A number of new cocktails have been created by mixing various spirits with energy drinks. They have become popular with young adults and carry potential danger to health. Energy drinks can mask the effects of alcohol causing the user to drink more heavily. The negative effects of inebriation are well known. The more drunk people become, the greater the risk of harm to themselves or others. With the increased alcohol consumption enabled by the energy drink, alcohol poisoning and dehydration become very real threats. Both of these conditions can be fatal.
Healthy Alternatives
A cup of tea contains enough caffeine to pep you up when need be. It can be hot or iced and very refreshing. Getting up and moving around a bit for 5-10 minutes will get the blood flowing and can energize you in a completely natural way. Even a cup of coffee is a better choice than pounding an energy drink.
It may be tempting to use an energy drink to perk up during a lull in the day. Exercise caution and consider a better method of increasing pep. Too many energy drinks can have dire consequences.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Monroe, La.