Energy Drinks and Adverse
Effects
Energy drinks are a booming
industry in India. Youngsters are opting energy drinks to boost up their
stamina to provide instant energy. But does these cans and bottles of energy
drinks really help?
Energy drinks are non-alcoholic
beverages containing stimulants like caffeine, herbal extracts (guarana,
ginseng, yerba mate, Ginkgo Biloba), glucuronolactone, taurine, inositol,
L-carnitine and B-vitamins. Naturally caffeinated drinks like coffee, cocoa,
tea etc. are not regarded as energy drinks. Energy drinks should also not be
confused with sports drinks that contain carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes,
and flavouring agents. These are intended to replenish water and electrolyte in
the body.
Energy drinks were introduced
to the world by ‘Dr. Enuf’ in the US in 1949. More than 300 variants of energy
drinks are available in the US market alone. India, China, and Brazil are
considered as the growing markets. Red Bull came to India in 2003 and dominated
the market.
Adverse effects:
Too much caffeine: The high amount of caffeine and sugar will let you
feel fresh and energised. But too much of caffeine can cause jitters, a fast
heartbeat, and trouble sleeping.’
Further, though the sugar
gives a burst of energy watch out for the phenomenon called ‘sugar crash’, the
energy provided by sugar wears off quickly, and you feel exhausted all over
again. Moreover, the quinine that used to give the energy drinks the fizz is
always bad for bones.
Addiction: Caffeine can be addictive, whether it is tea, coffee,
or energy drinks. If someone is consuming energy drinks regularly than the
person might get headaches, becomes cranky or feel tired of not getting energy
drinks. As these drinks taste sweet, children are also attracted to them. These
drinks cause electrolyte abnormalities in children, and parents should strictly
prohibit it.
Dehydration and weakness: People take energy drinks for instant energy, that is
why they end up taking it during workout hours and while playing sports. When
energy drinks are taken without any other liquid, it may lead to dehydration.
High levels of caffeine in these drinks prevent the kidney from retaining the
fluids, thereby dehydrating your body.
Moreover, never mix energy
drinks with alcohol because having them together may limit your body’s ability
to realise how much alcohol you drank, as it will give you the feeling that you
are not impaired. It will also give bad dehydration. You will urinate more
often due to the combined effect of the alcohol and the caffeine in the energy
drink.