Energy Drinks and Adverse Effects | Energy Drink Side Effects

Energy Drinks and Adverse Effects

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.