What is an energy drink: benefits and harms. Why are energy drinks dangerous?

To manage everything at the modern pace of life, you need to constantly be on your toes. For this purpose, stimulants are often used, which have an effect better than a cup of strong coffee. However, the harm of energy drinks on the human body is very significant, although the manufacturers of such products and even some doctors consider them safe.

Energy: what is it?

An energy drink is a drink that is created using a variety of stimulants and other components: dyes, flavors, vitamins and others. By consuming them, a person influences his central nervous system, thus suppressing fatigue in order to prolong wakefulness, concentrate, and increase mental activity for several more hours.

It would seem that what is bad about these products? After all, they improve performance. But this is only at first glance. The benefits and harms of energy drinks are not equal. Despite the outwardly positive characteristics, we should not forget that their components have a negative effect on people. Most of them adversely affect the central nervous system.

Compound

Currently, there are a huge number of manufacturers and varieties of energy drinks in the world. Their number and range is constantly growing. And there are practically no differences between them. They all have identical composition, which includes:

caffeine is a substance that stimulates the brain and significantly increases the heart rate;
melatonin is an antioxidant that regulates the human daily rhythm;
taurine is a powerful antioxidant that speeds up metabolism in the body;
matein, which allows you to lose weight and dull the feeling of hunger;
ginseng, guarana - natural extracts that cleanse the liver and remove lactic acid from cells;
L-carnitine, which oxidizes fatty acids;
glucose, sucrose, fructose - carbohydrates that stimulate brain function and prevent a person from falling asleep;
phenylanine – to impart taste;
B vitamins – normalizing the functioning of the nervous system.

The effect of energy drinks on the body

The positive effect of energy drinks on the body occurs only at the beginning of their use, when people feel a replenishment of energy resources and an increase in physical and mental performance. But after euphoria, hyperactivity, and the ability to work under increased load comes exhaustion. After stress or shock, the body turns out to be very worn out and tired.

In addition, such products negatively affect the duration and quality of sleep. It is difficult for a person to fall asleep, he suffers from insomnia, and having dozed off, he sees nightmares and easily wakes up from the slightest noise or irritant. Such rest does not bring joy, does not add strength, does not give a feeling of vigor.

Regular use of such stimulants can cause depression, aggressiveness, suspiciousness, headaches, anger, and often leads to loss of strength, depression, loss of orientation, irritability and even death.

In addition, organic lesions may appear:

Increased blood sugar levels.
High blood pressure.
Prolonged sinus tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
Interruptions in the functioning of the heart.
Decreased immune system defenses.

Overdose

abdominal pain;
arrhythmia;
increased temperature;
gastritis;
interruptions in heart function;
exacerbation of ulcers;
diarrhea;
vomiting;
hallucinations, both auditory and visual;
frequent urination;
confusion;
fainting.

Harm and danger

A single use of an energy drink in moderate quantities by an adult, healthy person is unlikely to cause a negative reaction. However, regularly drinking it in large quantities or abusing it one day may prove unsafe for health. The effect of the components of this product on the human body can cause the most negative reactions and diseases:

Disruption of the central nervous system.
Development of diabetes mellitus.
Various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
Mental disorders.
Thrombosis.
Deterioration of the heart and cardiovascular system.
Decreased libido.
Epilepsy, anaphylaxis.
Deterioration of attention, decreased ability to work, loss of interest in others and in life.
Addiction.

And the harm for teenagers can be even more serious, even fatal.

Consequences

If you regularly use such stimulants in your diet, the consequences of the body’s reaction to them can be the most terrible and disastrous:

accidents due to sudden loss of consciousness;
hearing loss, bleeding, convulsions;
miscarriages (in pregnant women);
suicidal behavior;
gastrointestinal disorder in the form of vomiting, diarrhea;
prolonged headaches;
arrhythmia;
the appearance of mental abnormalities and disorders;
development of various phobias;
loss of concentration and performance;
death from constant use of energy drinks.

It is advisable not to use energy products for anyone, ever. However, they are especially dangerous for the following categories of people:

Children.
Teenagers.
Pregnant and lactating women.
People with chronic diseases.
Old age.
With diseases of the heart, kidneys, circulatory system, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system.
Patients with diabetes, glaucoma, chronic high blood pressure and much more.

These products contain a lot of caffeine, taurine, melatonin, phenylanine and other substances harmful to health.

Benefit

It cannot be denied that these types of stimulants are sometimes beneficial. But this is only in cases where they are used infrequently and in moderation. From time to time, mental labor needs additional reserves to complete some work. But here you should be careful and not drink too many energy drinks.

Of course, they will energize a person for a while, give him strength, give him a feeling of vivacity, drive, improve thought processes, and relieve fatigue. Vitamins and herbal components add strength to muscles and internal organs.

This product works much better, faster than a cup of coffee, and the effect of its use lasts much longer. But this will pass after some time, even if you are constantly “reinforced” by them. And in the future it will only be harmful to the health of energy drinks.

Video: the harm of energy drinks.

Rules of use

Energy drinks should be drunk in small quantities and infrequently to avoid their negative impact on a person. Do not give to children and adolescents under any circumstances. A growing and developing organism, like no other, is exposed to harmful substances.

You should not drink energy drinks with alcohol to avoid pressure surges and hypertensive crisis.

They are also contraindicated in the heat, when the cardiovascular and autonomic systems are working at full strength. The drink will only warm up the body even more. Even when cold, it is very harmful due to temperature changes.

After sports training, it is also advisable to refrain from this product, because it will increase blood pressure and lead to dehydration.

To protect yourself from addiction, it is recommended to drink energy drinks no more than twice a week and no more than two cans a day. At the same time, you should also stop drinking tea, coffee and other products containing caffeine for at least 5-6 hours to avoid an overdose.

Despite the fact that a person has received a boost of vivacity and energy, he still needs proper rest in order to recover from the additional load. This should never be forgotten.

Fatigue is the main problem of the 21st century. Everything needs to be done and done in time, but a day is too little for this and you even have to set aside a night for some of your needs.

In the life of a person with such a schedule, energy drinks are sure to appear, a kind of magic potion that allows you to finish the deadline on time, get to your destination in two days instead of three, and relax in the club until the morning.

But there are many things to pay attention to.

Main cast

Energetik is a non-alcoholic (sometimes low-alcohol) carbonated drink with the addition of substances that stimulate the central nervous system (CNS).

It was created by Smith-Klein Beechamon in 1938. Even though the first prototype was a failure, this did not dampen his enthusiasm. So, just a couple of years later, the world saw Red Bull, which caused an incredible boom.

Now, depending on the manufacturer, the composition may change, but the main ingredients always remain:

Caffeine (most often synthetic);
Taurine;
B vitamins;
Ginseng and guarana;
Sucrose, glucose;
Phenylanine;
Matein;
Glucuronolactone;

In practice, the largest percentages are allocated to water, sugar and caffeine, which literally makes energy drinks a more expensive and harmful substitute for regular sweet coffee. The resulting taste is modified by melanin, and popularity is artificially maintained through aggressive advertising policies.

The exception is isotonics - sports analogues, which contain el-carnitine, vitamins and minerals, in concentrations similar to those found in the body. Their main property is the restoration of the body after prolonged exercise.

The effect of energy drinks on the body

Positive changes are observed only for a short period of time, after which fatigue and exhaustion occur.

The substance taken triggers biochemical processes and affects the functioning of the central nervous system. This already within a few minutes leads to increased concentration, faster reactions and a feeling of lightness in the body, lasting, on average, three to four hours.

Well-known brands like Jaguar, Burn, Flash, Dynamite, Gorilla, taking advantage of their popularity, promote that the “special composition” is a natural source of energy. In fact, the body receives it in the process of decomposition of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, the presence of which energy drinks cannot boast of.

When they enter the body, they provoke these biological processes, but are not a direct participant in them.

The body has to synthesize energy using its own reserves, and ultimately responds with complete exhaustion. During the effect of the drink, the state is very close to euphoric, which strongly contrasts with the loss of strength that follows. This is how addiction develops.

And with constant use, a person generally ceases to perceive energy drinks properly and easily exceeds the permissible dose, which even in the long term leads to irreversible consequences.

Why is the drink dangerous?

Owners of companies producing such products use various tricks to increase demand for the product. Thus, having studied the caffeine content in many popular brands, you can see how official sources underestimate the true amount of the ingredient by 20%.

At the same time, experts argue that energy drinks, like drugs (after all, caffeine is a type of drug), have a specific effect on each person and it is impossible to predict it.

It is also worth paying attention to the other components. For example, the taurine content is several times higher than the permissible level. And glucuronolactone (a substance created to maintain the morale of American soldiers fighting in Vietnam) - in the amount of five daily doses.

The same is with vitamin B - its volume can easily cause tachycardia.

Taken together, such consumption is dangerous due to its destructive effect on the nervous system. Research has proven that lovers of energy drinks (especially minors) are more prone to deviant behavior: they are constantly in search of drive, smoke more often, drink alcohol and drugs, and also fall into a high-risk group for developing depression.

At the same time, the possibility of situations involving sexual violence against girls increases among them.

In particular, for these reasons, Denmark and Norway have passed a law prohibiting the sale of energy drinks on their territory, even as a medicine.

Is there a lethal dose?

Every year there are thousands of deaths, one way or another related to the use of energy drinks. In this they can only be compared with alcohol. Both products are not marketed as healthy, but the resulting effect compels people to buy them.

This attitude often leads to the creation of situations that endanger the life of the consumer:

Concomitant use with alcoholic beverages or drugs;
Take before or after sports training;
Overdose;
Ignoring immunity to the components included in the composition;

It is worth knowing that even if the permissible dose is not indicated on the product packaging, all responsibility lies with the consumer. Energy drinks are food additives, and therefore, legally, their production is completely legal and companies will not be held responsible for such cases.

A clear example is Anaïs Fournier: a fourteen-year-old girl died six days after drinking two 680 gram cans of Monster Energy. The company did not even respond to the lawsuit filed by her parents.

Is there any benefit from energy drinks?

A significant advantage of such products is the ability, albeit temporarily, to feel a surge of strength and vigor. That is why they are so popular among different groups of the population.

The ingredients of the energy drink themselves have quite useful properties. They increase endurance and concentration, help cope with stress, and tone most systems. Its negative consequences are always caused by excessive consumption and an excessive dose of sugar per serving.

If we consider the composition by components, we get an effective remedy to combat fatigue:

Caffeine, guarana and ginseng have a stimulating effect on the nervous system, and also lead to the production of adrenaline, accelerating the heartbeat, improving reaction;
Taurine and B vitamins help concentrate and absorb minerals and increase endurance. They are also used in children's vitamin complexes.
Levocarnitine accelerates metabolism and has a beneficial effect on male potency.
Glucuronolactone is a sorbent that helps detoxify the body.

If the correct proportions are observed, the drink can actually be useful.

But you rarely see this in a purchased product, so people at risk are not recommended to use it in principle, even while controlling the dose.

Side properties

Energy drinks contain huge amounts of sugar and caffeine. If you constantly drink them, the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems, kidneys and liver suffer. Habituation-induced frequent use affects mood, behavior and may reduce interest in socialization.

It’s worse if you mix them with alcohol: the stimulating properties of caffeine neutralize the relaxed state of the body caused by alcohol intoxication and it becomes more difficult to monitor the amount you drink. After a night of such cocktails, it is almost impossible to stay in order.

Otherwise, a constant excess of glucose will lead to disruption of the water-salt balance, high concentrations of sugar in the blood, obesity, and diabetes.

Taurine will constantly increase blood pressure, resulting in insomnia, depression, and decreased immunity.

And this is only if you do not take into account the body itself. Also, his fans are provided with caries, stomach ulcers, dehydration, relapses of allergic reactions, constant lethargy, and decreased cognitive abilities.

Other external manifestations may include hair loss, rash, and split nails. The harm of energy drinks has long been proven; this should not be ignored.

What will an overdose lead to and what to do in such a situation

The permissible volume of energy drink is two small cans.

If you consume more, the body will receive an amount of substance that it will not be able to process without consequences for health. As a result, a critical condition occurs, which not every organism can cope with.

The victim experiences many side effects associated with the disruption of his systems:

Cardiovascular: tachycardia, arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock;
Nervous: numbness and trembling in the limbs, convulsions, suffocation, headache, feverish conditions;
Digestive: poisoning, gastritis, exacerbation of ulcers;
In addition, suffocation, pulmonary edema, fainting, and coma may occur.

The first signs of intoxication are usually pain and burning in the chest, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, tremors of the arms and legs. The person feels severe weakness, does not perceive what is happening around him, and becomes restless.

The victim needs to provide first aid as soon as possible:

Remove to fresh air, unbutton or remove constricting clothing;
Rinse the stomach, inducing vomiting if there is none;
Provide peace.

You need to call an ambulance right away, because in most cases you won’t be able to cope with the consequences on your own, and every second affects the outcome. Only an experienced doctor will prescribe the correct treatment.

Contraindications for use

Thanks to a loyal pricing policy, everyone can afford to buy several cans of energy drink.

However, there is a whole list of groups that are at risk:

Children under 18 years of age;
Pregnant and breastfeeding women;
People with sleep disorders;
Patients with stomach and liver disorders;
Cores;
Diabetics;
Drivers.

They are at risk of exacerbation of the disease or the onset of a critical condition, which can lead to irreversible consequences. To avoid such situations, these people are advised to give up energy drinks, replacing them with healthier alternatives if necessary.

Tea, water with added fruits (citrus fruits), homemade lemonades, smoothies and freshly squeezed juices can easily fill the body with the missing energy without compromising health.

It is especially important to follow this advice for pregnant women: remember that at this time the female body is very unpredictable and any such stress can lead to the death of the fetus.

How to consume energy drinks without harm to health

If you really can’t live without this drink, you need to follow some rules to avoid harmful effects:

Do not mix them with alcoholic drinks and medications. Such concentrations of active substances can lead to cardiac arrest, fainting, ulcers or death.
Strictly adhere to a dose of no more than one can per day. The symptoms are similar to those with medications, and there is also a risk of food poisoning and coma.
If possible, replace with tea or coffee, do not take on a daily basis. With such use of energy drinks, a person develops insomnia, he becomes irritable, and after an attempt to quit, a depressive state and attacks of aggression are observed.
Give yourself a rest for several hours after drinking the drink. All this time, the body was exposed to stress and depleted its reserves, so that this does not lead to serious consequences, the body needs to recover.
Do not drink energy drinks during sports training. This will lead to disruption of water-salt metabolism and sudden surges in pressure.
Eliminate them from children's diets. After all, if a teenager’s dose is one jar, then even this will be too much for a child.

Energy drinks have benefits and harms, and therefore only you can decide whether it is worth it to get an additional boost of strength.

If you do decide to drink a drink, then follow the rules. And do not forget that an overdose of a substance is dangerous and can not only lead to irreversible diseases, but also cause death.

Hello! Today we will talk about energy drinks. A question that I, as an addiction specialist, am often asked: “Are energy drinks harmful? Or is this another myth? I remember my husband and I went to St. Petersburg. It was his second day behind the wheel. My eyes closed on their own; I urgently needed to cheer myself up and mobilize my physical and mental capabilities. At the nearest gas station we bought two cans of energy drink and safely reached our destination. I remember another incident. A young guy was brought to the drug treatment center where I work in a state of acute psychosis (he was taken from the top of a tree), which developed after drinking an energy drink. I know that after coding for alcoholism, many people get addicted to taking energy drinks. So, energy drinks: benefits and harm.

First, let's highlight the two most important contradictions.

One side: the use of energy drinks is gaining more and more popularity among young people every year.
The other side: the use of energy drinks in most cases does not bring success, victories and achievements, but, on the contrary, more and more often people turn to doctors with various ailments.

Medicine is skeptical and has different views on the effects of these drinks on the body. Some argue that energy products do not bring any harm or benefit and their use is pointless. Others defend the point of view that there are much more negative effects on the body than positive ones.

Hundreds of advertisements on television say that to invigorate the body you need to drink a can of energy drink, and then your performance will increase many times, but is there any truth in these advertisements? What is hidden behind advertising banners and labels?

Let's understand the concept of Energy drinks

Energy drinks are non-alcoholic drinks aimed at stimulating the body's performance.
It is believed that energy drinks appeared not so long ago, however, this is a misconception. Back in 1938, the first stimulating drink, Lukozade, was created for athletes, but this led to the departure of people.

Also, for example, back in 1994, the Redbull company was created, which to this day is gaining enormous popularity among people who consume energy drinks.

The main purpose of drinks is to make your body work as quickly as possible, however, all this leads to its complete exhaustion. Remember, nothing happens to the body without consequences.

It is a mistake that energy drinks can be consumed before training. Just think about the strain placed on the performance of your heart! He not only has to spend energy on stimulating your body, but also on the work that you do in the gym.

There are a huge number of cases of negative impacts from energy drinks. For example, one girl drank an energy drink before a disco, and after a while she became so ill that she had to call an ambulance.

Or one young athlete decided to cheer up before the competition and drank a can of energy drink. While performing one of the exercises, his heart could not withstand the load and ruptured, this story ended, accordingly, with death.

In some European countries, energy drinks can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription in a pharmacy!

Energy drinks: benefits and harms

Man has always encouraged himself with various energy substances and drinks, without overly burdening himself with thoughts about their benefits and harms. And if earlier these were natural products, such as coca leaves, then among today’s youth various synthesized energy drinks are wildly successful.

The harm of energy drinks does not bother them at all, and prolonging the time of enjoying themselves at a party or disco takes precedence over the understanding that the consequences of such fun will sooner or later make themselves felt.

Older people, on the contrary, tend to exaggerate the danger, but their concern is truly justified. A series of deaths caused by an overdose or a combination of energy drinks with alcohol or recreational drugs has forced the governments of some countries to decide to directly ban or allow the sale of energy drinks only in pharmacy chains.

What are energy drinks

Energy drinks are, as a rule, carbonated drinks, the components of which have a stimulating effect on the nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine systems and cause a feeling of a surge of strength and a feeling of vigor from 1 to 2-3 hours.

Doctors say that taking even one acceptable dose of energy drink has such an invigorating effect on the adult body, but after the euphoria subsides, a mandatory 3-4 hour rest is necessary.

The era of modern energy drinks began with the enhancement of the famous Taiwanese tonic Krating Daeng by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz with modern chemical derivatives. As a result of such “adaptation” and aggressive advertising, Red Bull energy drink has captivated young people on all continents.

But Red Bull did not remain a monopolist in this market sector for long. Coca-Cola and Pepsi immediately joined the production of energy drinks. Each of the TMs acquired its own energy drinks - Adrenaline Rush, Burn, AMP and NOS.

Other competing energy drinks are not as popular on the domestic market, but their effect on the body is no less dangerous. Among them are Red Devil, Non-Stop, B-52, Tiger, Jaguar, Revo, Hype, Rockstar, Monster, Frappuccino and Cocaine. The latter turned out to be so harmful that its release in the United States was banned twice. However, Reduz Beverages is not going to stop production, and Cocaine energy drink can be freely purchased in online stores.

Are energy drinks harmful? Yes, the negative effects of energy drinks on the body have been proven. However, manufacturers convince that they are harmless if you drink 1, maximum 2 cans per day. But even here, some companies resort to prohibited techniques that can have deadly consequences. For example, the company that produces Mountain Dew Amp energy drink decided to give 2 times more energy - this energy drink is sold only in 0.66 liter cans.

Components of energy drinks and isotonic drinks

Technically speaking, energy drinks are classified as “Food Supplements”. This is what allows manufacturers not to indicate the exact composition of the energy drink, and therefore intoxication and overdose of energy drinks have become a common problem.

In fact, all energy drinks consist of the same components - caffeine, taurine, glucose. To these “three pillars”, each manufacturer adds components that enhance the stimulating effect of energy drinks on the body - ginseng or Chinese lemongrass, extract from guarana seeds, melatonin, matein, as well as vitamins B, C and PP. It is this combination of active ingredients that causes energy drinks to be harmful to teenagers.

For your information, a can of Red Bull (0.33 l) exceeds the daily norm of glucose by 300 times, vitamin B6 by 2.5 times, vitamin B12 by 50%, and the caffeine content is the same as in 3 cups of strong coffee.

In addition, in the process of degradation of one of the components of the energy drink, the formation of cocaine is possible. What then can we say about how Cocaine energy drink can act on a growing body, since its manufacturers claim a 350% superiority of all components over Red Bull.

For some reason, some teenagers are sure that when consuming energy drinks, some kind of energetic cleansing of the body occurs. Although here it is more appropriate to say that it will be necessary to cleanse the body of an excess of some of its components.

Some young athletes are sure that there is no difference between energy drinks and special “sports” drinks - isotonics. In fact, it is fundamental. Dry mixtures or ready-made isoosmotic drinks consist of fructose, vitamins and mineral salts, maltodextrin and an acidity regulator.

The isosmotic composition, verified in medical laboratories, helps during physical activity - the body can more easily tolerate fluid deficiency, maintain a normal water-salt balance, and replenish the supply of glycogen, vitamins and minerals. The composition, dosage and method of using isotonics are described in detail on the packages.

Why are energy drinks harmful to the body?

The benefits and harms of energy drinks are incomparable, especially considering that it is now rare to meet a completely healthy person. The active ingredients of the energy drink force the body to work in a stressful state, and 2-3 hours of hyperactivity leads to wear and tear on the resources of the internal organs. After the end of the euphoric effect of the energy drink, most experience a loss of strength, irritability and depression.

If a person drinks too much energy drinks, the following symptoms and consequences may be observed:

caffeine and mateine – tachycardia, borderline changes in blood pressure, anxiety, cardiac arrest;
taurine – gastritis, exacerbation of ulcers, arrhythmia, increased nervousness;
group of vitamins B - redness of the skin, heavy sweating, swelling of the face, dizziness, numbness and trembling in the extremities, convulsions, suffocation, increased acidity of gastric juice, blockage of the kidney tubules, triggering the development of fatty liver degeneration, allergic reactions, urticaria, heart pain, edema lungs, anaphylactic shock;
glucose, fructose – caries, obesity, diabetes;
melatonin – nausea, vomiting, relapse of allergic diseases, exacerbation of kidney disease, epilepsy attack;
guarana - side effects have been little studied, but the symptoms are similar to caffeine overdose, since the seeds of the plant contain natural pacemakers theophylline and theobromine;
ginseng - headache, dizziness, insomnia, sharp drop in blood pressure, swelling, tachycardia, fever, women may have miscarriages.

Glucuronolactone is particularly dangerous in energy drinks. This substance was created at the American military laboratory DARPA as part of the Supersoldier program.

In small therapeutic doses, it helps cleanse the body of harmful substances and fight fatigue. But the amount of glucuronolactone contained in energy drinks leads to exacerbation of liver pathologies and can cause hyperglycemic coma.

In addition to the above, energy drinks can cause addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and suicidal thoughts. Long-term use of energy drinks leads to a decrease in sexual function, psychopathic personality, accompanied by a sharp change in mood, incontinence of affects, and social decline.

Is it possible to get poisoned by an energy drink and is it possible to die?

Any discussion on the harm or benefit of energy drinks ends with facts that have been proven, not in theory, but in practice, that taking them leads to death. The sad statistics are headed by energy drinks 5-Hour Energy and Monster. The main cause of death is suffocation and cardiac arrest.

Death from energy drinks can occur as a result of simultaneous use of them with alcoholic beverages or drugs. You can also get poisoned by energy drink when mixing it with coffee, strong tea or mate.

Undesirable consequences, including deaths, have been recorded when taking energy drinks the day before, during or after sports training.

However, the dishonesty of energy drink manufacturers can also cause death due to an unintentional overdose (for example, you can drink 2 cans of energy drink, but this does not apply to Cocaine, because two of its standard cans contain a dose 6 times higher than the safe concentration). Many teenagers, remembering that they can drink 300-600 ml of the drink, without any fear, drink ten 60 ml bottles of Red Bull Shot, not realizing that they exceed the permissible dose by 20 times.

For whom is the use of energy drinks contraindicated?

Despite the invented rules for the reasonable use of energy drinks, their use is strictly prohibited to the following persons:

pregnant and breastfeeding women;
children, adolescents under 18 years of age and the elderly;
hypertensive patients and people with cardiovascular diseases and thrombophlebitis;
for renal and liver failure, pancreatic diseases;
for persistent sleep disorders;
ulcer sufferers, diabetics, epileptics;
people suffering from glaucoma.

Healthy people should remember that the harm or benefits of drinking energy drinks will depend solely on compliance with the dosage.

How to improve performance

If the body tolerates caffeine well, but a cup of coffee is not enough, then a mixture of instant coffee and Coca-Cola will invigorate it well.

If you have a healthy stomach, then you can try drinking 130-150 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice once as a strong energy drink. However, it is also not recommended to get carried away with such homemade energy drinks.

As a means of stimulating brain activity, it is not necessary to drink caffeinated energy drinks. It is enough to buy the pharmaceutical drug Taurine. However, before taking it, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications, and also remember that in large dosages this amino acid leads to the opposite “calming” effect and inhibition of nervous processes occurs.

For people actively involved in sports or experiencing heavy physical activity, it is recommended to take isotonic drinks rather than energy drinks. These energy drinks have no contraindications and promote fairly rapid recovery of the body.

The modern rhythm of life involves spending a lot of energy. After hard work or a night out, a hard workout or studying for an exam, you need a boost of energy. Many people solve this problem with energy drinks. They appeared recently, but have gained wide popularity.

They contain ingredients that can stimulate the nervous system and relieve fatigue.

Are they safe for the body, and in what quantities can they be consumed? This material will tell you about energy drinks and their effect on health.

Compound

Energy drinks invigorate and relieve fatigue

The benefits and harms of energy drinks are determined by their composition. Despite the large offer on the market, the main components of the drinks remain the same.
So, the composition of the energy drink includes the following elements:

Caffeine – stimulates mental and physical activity. With its help, drowsiness and fatigue disappear, but at the same time blood pressure increases. The effect of caffeine is short-lived and lasts about three hours. After it ends, fatigue returns and proper rest is required. An overdose is manifested by nervousness, insomnia, irritability, accelerated heart rate, convulsions;
Taurine is an amino acid that tends to accumulate in muscle tissue. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the immune and nervous systems. In small quantities, it relieves muscle fatigue and improves the functioning of the heart muscle. Overdose studies have not been conducted;
Carnitine is necessary for the oxidation of fatty acids. Its action is aimed at reducing muscle fatigue and increasing metabolism;
Guarana and - produce a tonic effect and are natural psychostimulants. Thanks to them, physical and mental activity increases and fatigue disappears. Abuse leads to insomnia, anxiety and increased blood pressure;
B vitamins – ensure the functioning of the brain and nervous system as a whole. Their deficiency negatively affects the human body and well-being, however, these vitamins do not have any energy value, nor do they increase mental abilities;
Melatonin – determines a person’s daily rhythm, ensures activity and vital functions;
Matein – helps reduce hunger and weight;
Theobromine is a strong stimulant.

The KBJU of various energy drinks may differ due to the variety of various additives included in their composition. There are no proteins or fats in them, carbohydrates are 11 g, calorie content is 45-52 kcal. There is no alcohol in energy drinks, however, there are also alcoholic drinks of about 7%.

You might be interested to know what harm beer can cause to the male body? You will find all the information

Benefits of drinking energy drinks

Are energy drinks healthy? Manufacturers convince of their high usefulness and absence of harm from their use. Is it so?
The following facts speak in favor of energy workers:

Activate the brain and help you cheer up in a short time;
Contains vitamins and glucose. There is no point in talking about the benefits of vitamins. Glucose provides organs and muscles with energy and is therefore necessary for the body;
Provides a selection of drinks to suit everyone's needs. There are energy drinks with a lot of carbohydrates and vitamins, while others are more concentrated on caffeine content. In the first case, the drink is preferable to athletes and active people, and in the second - to workaholics, students, people who work at night;
The effect of the energy drink lasts 3-4 hours, while the effect of coffee is noticeable for only 1-2 hours. Also, almost all energy drinks are carbonated. This helps accelerate their effect on the body;
Convenient packaging that allows use in any situation and place.

A great way to cheer up without harming your health is to drink a cup of green coffee.

Why is energy drink harmful?

Every product has contraindications, energy drinks are no exception. They are prohibited for pregnant women, the elderly, hypertensive patients, children and adolescents, people with increased excitability and sleep disorders. So, are non-alcoholic energy drinks harmful, and why are there such restrictions?
The negative aspects of energy drinks are as follows:

Exceeding the recommended norm threatens an excessive increase in blood sugar levels, or there is a high probability of an increase in blood pressure;
The vitamins contained in the composition are insignificant and do not replace a multivitamin complex;
They have a negative effect on the heart and blood pressure, so if the functioning of the cardiovascular system is disrupted, it should be avoided;
The drink does not saturate with energy, but activates the reserves of available resources. The body spends even more energy that needs to be replenished. Because of this, fatigue, depression, insomnia, irritability appear;
Caffeine depletes the nervous system, so a break is required after the effects wear off. In addition, addiction is possible;
An unhealthy concentration of vitamin B can lead to tremors in the legs and arms, rapid heartbeat;
Caffeine has a diuretic effect, which means that energy drinks are not suitable for training, especially after physical exertion, when the body has already lost a lot of water.

You will learn more about the dangers of energy drinks from the video:

Negative effects on men's health

The effect of energy drinks on a man’s body cannot be called positive. After a short euphoria comes fatigue and rapid heartbeat. Due to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure rises, placing a huge burden on the cardiovascular system.

Erection problems begin due to impaired blood circulation to the genital organ. It is due to overload of the cardiovascular system that this dysfunction can occur. Of course, a one-time use of an energy drink will not lead to such an effect, however, abuse of them can lead to an overdose and problems with potency.

Is it possible for pregnant women?

During pregnancy, energy drinks are among the prohibited products that negatively affect the body of a pregnant woman and the development of the baby. What does the product affect? Energy drinks are dangerous primarily due to the high concentration of caffeine. This component has a negative effect on the nervous system of the mother and child, increases the tone of the uterus, blood pressure, heart rate, and disrupts blood circulation.

Components such as taurine, guarana, and carnitine also produce a negative effect. Taurine leads to the destruction of pancreatic cells. A high concentration of glucose provokes the release of adrenaline, which causes the blood vessels to sharply constrict. In general, all components can lead to a decrease in fetal weight, disruption of the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

What are the dangers for teenagers?

Children are not allowed to drink energy drinks. Excessive stress on a child's body can lead to many negative consequences. How do energy drinks affect the body of a teenager and child? In fact, the effect is no different from the effect on an adult organism. The main nuance is that even a small dose of energy drink can cause an overdose and associated negative symptoms in a child.

These drinks increase the risk of high sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes. In addition, it is a source of high blood pressure, which makes it more likely to develop hypertension. Even an excess of B vitamins leads to complications, namely trembling and increased heart rate. In addition, caffeine is a strong stimulant and depletes the nervous system. At what age can you drink energy drinks? Due to the high risks of overdose, it is not recommended to drink them before the age of 18.

Features of use

To avoid negative consequences from drinking energy drinks, you should follow certain rules. The best solution would be to refuse to include them in the diet. However, if necessary, it is important to remember the following:

You can drink energy drink no more than 2 cans per day;
It is not recommended to drink two drinks in a row; you should first rest and recuperate after the end of the effect;
You should not drink the product after playing sports, since both provoke an increase in blood pressure and dehydrate; the product is prohibited for athletes;
It is forbidden to drink them in case of problems with the cardiovascular system, in the presence of hypertension, sleep disorders, glaucoma;
Energy drinks and alcohol lead to an enhanced effect on increasing blood pressure, which can result in a hypertensive crisis.

Energy drinks force the organs to work hard, after which a long time is required to recuperate and rest. Their frequent use leads to migraines, arrhythmias, convulsions, increased blood pressure, diarrhea, ulcers, heart attacks, and irritability. An overdose of energy drinks causes nervousness, apathy, depression, mental agitation, tachycardia, and chronic problems with the functioning of the heart.

Is it healthy to drink red wine and in what quantities? You will find answers to all questions

Let's sum it up

The influence of energy drinks on the human body is characterized by a negative impact. Despite the short-term surge of strength and energy, the boost of vivacity quickly wears off, and fatigue becomes even stronger.

It will take much longer to recover.

How to replace energy drinks? It is best to drink regular cold water instead of energy drinks. Dehydration leads to drowsiness and lethargy, and lemon juice or honey will help add a tonic effect. Foods such as chocolate, whole grain bread, and oatmeal can energize you with vivacity and energy.

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