How often do you reach for an energy drink to increase
alertness? While energy drinks help during tasks that require focus, regular
consumption of energy drinks pose health risks and sudden death in some
individuals. When we choose energy drinks as a substitute for sleep, we injure
our bodies and can develop long-term health problems. Research and company
product analysis reveals the average teen and young adult consumes two to three
16-ounce to 24-ounce servings daily.
While parents recoil at the thought of young teens having
coffee with breakfast, permitting energy drinks causes excess caffeine
consumption and leads to a host of additional health issues. It is important to
understand that the instant alertness from an energy drink comes from excess
amounts of caffeine and sugar. An eight-ounce cup of coffee contains 100 milligrams
of caffeine, as does eight ounces of the average energy drink. However, the
average size for an energy drink is 16 to 24 ounces, containing 200 to 300 milligrams
of caffeine per can.
When the caffeine content in the energy drink is combined
with sugar, (an average of 15 teaspoons, or one-third cup, per 16 ounce
serving), trace B vitamins, and carnitine (an amino acid purportedly pumps up
endurance and promotes fat burning. Most people only need extra carnitine if
deficient (which is rare) and more than 3 grams a day can lead to stomach upset
and possibly seizures. The combination of ingredients in energy drinks can lead
to high blood pressure, depression, and cardiac arrhythmia. As of 2014, 34 cases
of deaths and 56 serious health events linked directly to energy drink
consumption
have been
reported by the Food and Drug Administration. This may seem like a small
number, but consider the unreported cases of high blood pressure complications,
anxiety, cardio arrhythmia, and depression that have roots in over consumptions
of energy drinks.
For a review of popular energy drinks by Consumer Reports
click
here.
High blood pressure affects the ability of the arteries to
open and close. When your blood pressure rises, the muscles in the artery wall
respond by pushing back harder. This enlarges the arterial muscles and makes
the artery walls thicker. Thicker arteries decrease the amount of blood that
can pass through the arteries.
Over time,
high blood pressure leads to heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, dementia
and more. For a full list
click
here.
Depression associated with energy drink consumption is
caused by a rise in the brain chemical norepinephrine. As the nerepinephrine
increases, there are enhanced negative feelings, feelings of distrust, and
increasing the desire to fight or flee from unpleasant situations. In addition,
anxiety increases. “In previous research, we found that energy drink
consumption increased blood pressure in healthy young adults,” explained
first
author and Mayo Clinic cardiology fellow Anna Svatikova. “We now show that
the increases in blood pressure are accompanied by increases in norepinephrine,
a stress hormone chemical, and this could predispose an increased risk of cardiac
events — even in healthy people.”
Heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias) occur when the
electrical impulses that coordinates your heartbeats do not work properly,
causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. The excess caffeine
and sugar in the energy drinks contribute to abnormal heart rhythm.
Ask yourself if the energy drink is really worth the risk.
There are
so
many healthier ways to increase and sustain your energy. Practice getting
7-8 hours sleep each night, improve your diet my including lean protein and
smart carbs like almonds, cheese and Greek yogurt. While working, at home or on
the job, take a short walk (5-10 minutes) about every hour and a half. Take
naps when you can (there is nothing like a 20 minutes power nap.
Get creative, get more energy and improve your overall
health by ditching the instant energy and focusing on renewable, sustainable
energy.