I had a friend visit me at my clinic in Gross Point Michigan, about three years ago and it was more of a friendly and less of a medical visit even though he was in a lot of pain! As we were getting done and he was ready to leave, he pulled out a small little colorful plastic bottle and gulped down the concoction and I was left saying hmmm...., what was that? He looked at me as if I am so unaware of this growing trend of relying on energy drinks to go thru the work day!! Surprisingly I was surely unaware!
So finally I have gathered some facts about the energy drinks, are they safe for us? how many do we really need? and most importantly do they even do anything?? A lot of this information is based on an Australian research done by Australian Drug Foundation. I am quoting some facts from that research, verbatim.
"So What are energy drinks anyways?
Energy drinks are drinks designed to increase stamina and improve physical performance. Some energy drinks are designed especially for elite athletes, but most are produced and marketed for the general community.
What are their main ingredients?
The main ingredients in energy drinks are caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone. Some new drinks on the market also contain opium poppy seed extract or ephedrine. WOW!! WTF??
TaurineTaurine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. Amino acids help to build protein. They are also believed to detoxify and cleanse the body of harmful substances. In times of stress and high physical activity, the body can lose small amounts of taurine. Some people use energy drinks to try to replace or build up their body's level of taurine.
Glucuronolactone
Glucuronolactone also occurs naturally in the body. It is a natural metabolite and carbohydrate formed when glucose breaks down, and is believed to be helpful in ridding the body of harmful substances and providing an instant energy boost.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant which acts on the central nervous system to speed up the messages to and from the brain so that the person feels more aware and active.
The caffeine content of some popular energy drinks and soft drinks:
Beverage (250 ml) Caffeine content
Not enough is currently known about energy drinks and their effect on health and well-being. The producers of energy drinks make many claims about the health effects of their products.
They say that their products can increase physical endurance, improve reaction time, boost mental alertness and concentration, increase overall well-being, stimulate meta-bolism, improve stamina and help eliminate waste from the body.
The drinks are marketed as healthy, fun and youthful, and many children, young people and adults are taken in by the excitement created around them, believing these claims to be true. However, the evidence shows that it may be wise to be cautious in our consumption of energy drinks.
Caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone occur naturally in the body, but the fact that they are present in much higher doses in energy drinks may be cause for concern. Scientists say that caffeine can have an effect on the growing brain and that it may cause a decline in the body's immune system. For now, health authorities have determined that energy drinks are generally safe for consumption, with some cautions.
Young people especially need to be aware of their contents. Research shows that children and young people who consume energy drinks may suffer sleep problems, bed-wetting and anxiety. Children who consume two or more cans of energy drinks a day may become irritable and anxious.
When thinking about whether or not to allow your child to consume energy drinks, it is useful to consider the follow factors:
So finally I have gathered some facts about the energy drinks, are they safe for us? how many do we really need? and most importantly do they even do anything?? A lot of this information is based on an Australian research done by Australian Drug Foundation. I am quoting some facts from that research, verbatim.
"So What are energy drinks anyways?
Energy drinks are drinks designed to increase stamina and improve physical performance. Some energy drinks are designed especially for elite athletes, but most are produced and marketed for the general community.
What are their main ingredients?
The main ingredients in energy drinks are caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone. Some new drinks on the market also contain opium poppy seed extract or ephedrine. WOW!! WTF??
TaurineTaurine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. Amino acids help to build protein. They are also believed to detoxify and cleanse the body of harmful substances. In times of stress and high physical activity, the body can lose small amounts of taurine. Some people use energy drinks to try to replace or build up their body's level of taurine.
Glucuronolactone
Glucuronolactone also occurs naturally in the body. It is a natural metabolite and carbohydrate formed when glucose breaks down, and is believed to be helpful in ridding the body of harmful substances and providing an instant energy boost.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant which acts on the central nervous system to speed up the messages to and from the brain so that the person feels more aware and active.
The caffeine content of some popular energy drinks and soft drinks:
Beverage (250 ml) Caffeine content
- Impulse 88 mg
- Red Bull 80 mg
- Naughty Boy 80mg
- 'V' 78 mg
- Coca-Cola 48.75 mg
- Diet Coke 48 mg
- Diet Coke Caffeine-Free 2 mg
- Pepsi 40 mg
- Diet Pepsi 44 mg
- Pepsi Max 44 mg
Not enough is currently known about energy drinks and their effect on health and well-being. The producers of energy drinks make many claims about the health effects of their products.
They say that their products can increase physical endurance, improve reaction time, boost mental alertness and concentration, increase overall well-being, stimulate meta-bolism, improve stamina and help eliminate waste from the body.
The drinks are marketed as healthy, fun and youthful, and many children, young people and adults are taken in by the excitement created around them, believing these claims to be true. However, the evidence shows that it may be wise to be cautious in our consumption of energy drinks.
Caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone occur naturally in the body, but the fact that they are present in much higher doses in energy drinks may be cause for concern. Scientists say that caffeine can have an effect on the growing brain and that it may cause a decline in the body's immune system. For now, health authorities have determined that energy drinks are generally safe for consumption, with some cautions.
Who should avoid energy drinks?
ChildrenYoung people especially need to be aware of their contents. Research shows that children and young people who consume energy drinks may suffer sleep problems, bed-wetting and anxiety. Children who consume two or more cans of energy drinks a day may become irritable and anxious.
When thinking about whether or not to allow your child to consume energy drinks, it is useful to consider the follow factors:
- Would you be comfortable with your child drinking a cup of strong coffee? Most energy drinks contain around the same amount of caffeine as a strong cup of coffee, and nearly twice as much as in a cola drink.
- Are you concerned about your child's sugar intake? Some energy drinks, such as Red Bull, contain high amounts of sugar (equal to around 5 teaspoons per 250 ml can).
- Will the drink enhance your child's well-being, or is it potentially harmful? There is little (if any) evidence of nutritional value in most energy drinks. Some energy drinks are said to include natural vitamins and minerals, but these can be easily obtained from simple foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables.
- How old is your child? Very little is known about the health effects of caffeine, so it is best to avoid giving children under age 10 products containing caffeine, especially energy drinks. Older children and young people should be careful, too. The human brain continues to grow up to about age 16 (some say age 21). We know that caffeine can affect a growing brain, but we don't as yet know how.Pregnant women
Women who are pregnant are advised to avoid energy drinks (especially during the first three months of pregnancy), as high amounts of caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage, difficult birth and delivery of low-weight babies.
People who drink alcohol
The effects of combining energy drinks with alcohol are not yet fully understood, but there have been serious concerns about such 'cocktails' for some time. There have been reports of young people dying, possibly as a result of mixing of alcohol and energy drinks.
Active sports people
Unlike sports drinks such as Gatorade that replenish minerals and water lost during exer-cise, energy drinks with caffeine can cause dehydration. The combination of dehydration and exercise can be dangerous.
Following negative reports about their effects, many countries are warning people not to consume energy drinks after a heavy workout. Some countries ban the sale of energy drinks.
Others
- People with heart disease
- Caffeine-sensitive people
The final verdict on energy drinks
Evidence is beginning to emerge that energy drinks may be harmful to some members of our community. It may be best to avoid giving these drinks to children under age 10 years. With older children and young people, watch closely the amount of energy drinks they consume as well as any effects on their mood or behaviour. If you are unsure or would like further advice, consult your doctor or other health professional."
.....so here is my verdict on the "Red Bulls" of the markets and their consumers, these drinks and even the energy pills are not worth the money you guys are burning to buy them. Instead do regular workouts, eat healthy and have an 8 hours of sleep each night and you won't be feeling the need for these addictions.
~Dr V.
