The dangerous truth about drinking too much energy drink

Energy drinks can offer certain benefits such as reducing fatigue and improving performance, but they cause many negative health problems when consumed in excess.

During the 20th and 21st centuries, the energy drink market exploded and became a multi-billion dollar industry. Energy drinks are now sold in more than 140 countries around the world and are a favorite drink of many children, teenagers and young adults. With its catchy tagline and promise of instant energy, it's easy to overlook the health risks posed by energy drinks.

What is energy drink?

Energy drinks are drinks that contain stimulants, often including caffeine. They are often touted as a mental stimulant, increasing energy, alertness and performance.

Based on size, people are divided into two types of energy drinks. One that is similar in volume to regular soft drinks is a 16 oz (about 473 ml) bottle. The other with a smaller volume is the 2 oz (about 59 ml) bottle.

The main and important ingredient in energy drinks is usually caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant that increases heart rate and blood pressure. The concentration of caffeine in an energy drink bottle with a volume of 236-354 ml is about 72 to 150 mg. Meanwhile, carbonated soft drinks we usually drink have about 9.6 - 10.71 mg of caffeine in 100 ml.

Energy drinks are drinks that contain stimulants, often including caffeine. (Photo: Dnaindia).

Other ingredients in energy drinks may include guarana, green tea extract and inositol, which all contain caffeine. In addition, they also contain ginseng, red ginseng, taurine (an amino acid with a stimulating effect), other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Health effects of energy drinks

In some studies, energy drinks have been found to improve physical endurance but there is little evidence of any effect on muscle strength. Energy drinks help boost alertness and improve reaction time but can also decrease hand stability.

According to many manufacturers, energy drinks bring benefits such as instant refreshment, replenishing energy for the body, fighting drowsiness, mental alertness, increasing concentration, bringing excitement after Drink and enhance energy metabolism.

Besides, some harmful effects of energy drinks such as:

• Tooth decay: A study published in the journal General Dentistry revealed that the high amount of sugar found in energy drinks is more likely to erode tooth enamel than other beverages.
• Temporarily or addictive soft drinks and must be drunk continuously: We know that in the main ingredient of energy drinks on the market today, there is often caffeine. People who are new to drinking or are sensitive to caffeine when drinking energy drinks may become intoxicated. Symptoms such as feeling nauseous, irritability, lightheadedness, vomiting, heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, etc.

Many drinkers are used to energy drinks, initially drinking 1-2 cans / day to feel thirsty and awake. However, after that, if they don't drink, they have a feeling of lightness in their mouth and lead to drinking energy drinks more often.

• Difficulty sleeping: If you drink at night, when you are about to go to bed, you will feel restless and may cause insomnia.
• Obesity, hypertension: In addition to caffeine, energy drinks also contain sugar as the main ingredient. According to statistics from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of America (SAMHSA), a 250 ml can of energy drink can contain about 27.5 g of sugar. If you drink a lot, you are very likely to be overweight, obese, and have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Sour: If you are suffering from stomach problems, you should consider before using because energy drinks have a lot of acid. When finished, they can make you feel hot in the intestines, acid reflux and constant heartburn.

Who shouldn't drink energy drinks?

Doctors and nutritionists confirm that energy drinks can affect anyone who uses them, especially children and teenagers.

Children 12-18 years old should not exceed 100 mg of caffeine per day. Therefore, children and adolescents should not use energy drinks, unless carefully supervised by their parents.

Adults who choose to drink energy drinks should check the label for caffeine content. You should not drink more than 200 mg of caffeine at a time or take it with alcohol.

You should not drink more than 200 mg of caffeine at a time.

Drunk people should not drink energy drinks or combine them with other stimulant drinks (beer, alcohol).

Athletes consuming energy drinks can improve mental focus, alertness and endurance largely through the effects of caffeine. However, the other ingredients in energy drinks require more research to prove their safety and effect on performance. Therefore, athletes should not consume energy drinks during or after physical activity.

People with diabetes or kidney disease should not drink energy drinks. Long-term high levels of caffeine that exceed the recommended levels can put you at risk for complications.

Women who are pregnant, young children and the elderly or people with chronic diseases should not drink energy drinks.

Finally, people who are allergic to caffeine should not drink energy drinks, as they contain large amounts of this stimulant.

Is long-term use addictive or dependent?

Energy drinks may offer certain benefits such as reducing fatigue and improving performance, but they can be associated with health problems when consumed in excess. They can even lead to energy drink addiction.

Some signs of energy drink addiction include: Having an intense craving for energy drinks; forming mental images (such as pleasure) when drinking energy drinks; I can't control the amount of energy drinks I drink.

Sometimes, the simplest way to combat an energy drink addiction is to replace it with another similar drink. Some of the healthier options that contain no or very little caffeine, sugar and artificial sweeteners that can replace energy drinks are Decaf coffee (decaffeinated), green tea, juice, carbonated water. no sugar, herbal tea, fermented tea…

Article by DS Nguyen Thanh Yen, Faculty of Pharmacy, Phuong Chau International Hospital, Can Tho; student Hoang Nguyen Tran Hai, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy; MSc Vo Quang Loc Duyen, a graduate of Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, provided information.