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Ingredients of energy drinks & Monster Energy drink side effects
from: BoostenIngredients of energy drinks and their effects
Every energy drink can contain any number of ingredients, but they are essentially soft drinks with high levels of caffeine and glucose, and different combinations of taurine, Vitamin B and various herbs.
Caffeine
Red Bull, one of the most popular energy drinks, contains nearly 80 mg of caffeine per can, which is no more than your average cup of coffee or twice the caffeine in a cup of tea. Other energy drinks contain several times this amount. Other stimulants such as ginseng are often added to energy drinks and may enhance the effects of caffeine.
Unlike hot coffee or tea, which is sipped slowly, it's common for typical energy drink consumers to drink large amounts quickly. Consumption of a single energy beverage will not lead to excessive caffeine intake; however, consumption of two or more beverages in a single day can. Too much caffeine can have adverse effects like nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and stomach upsets. Caffeine, like alcohol, works as a diuretic, causing more urine output and leading to dehydration. Caffeine is also addictive, therefore the athlete may require higher and higher doses to achieve the same 'caffeine high'.
Carbohydrates
The main ingredient in all energy drinks is carbohydrates or sugar. These cause the nervous system to become over-stimulated, making people feel more energised. But, large amounts of sugar can have laxative effects and also cause a sudden crash in energy levels. When sugar enters the blood stream and provides a 'blast' of energy, the person feels good and energised. Once that sugar is burned up (usually in about 30 to 45 minutes) and leaves the blood stream, there is a sugar crash and the energy high disappears. The person's reflexes slow, they may feel dizzy, muscle power decreases and performance falls off.
Herbs
Many energy drinks contain herbs such as guarana seeds, kola nuts, and Yerba mate leaves. These natural substances do not provide enough amounts of caffeine, so manufacturers often add synthetic caffeine to boost the effect of the natural source. Other herbs include alleged immune system enhancers like astragalus, schizandrae and echinacea, and supposed memory boosters like ginkgo, biloba and ginseng. However, there is no scientific evidence to support any of these assertions. Most of these herbs have not been shown to improve athletic or mental performance. And some of these herbs may interact with prescription medications to impede or enhance their chemical properties, a dangerous combination.
Other ingredients
Taurine is an amino acid produced naturally in our bodies. It helps to regulate normal heart-beats and muscle contractions. However, its effects on people when consumed as a drink additive remain unclear. Also, many energy drinks contain as much as 1,000 mg of taurine per can; the safety of such large doses is not known.
Energy drinks like Red Bull contains 600 mg of glucuronolactone, a substance that is naturally found in the body. Energy drinks claim that glucuronlactone detoxifies the body and protects against cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims or the safety of this combination.
Vitamin B is an important part of a healthy diet and is essential for breaking down carbohydrates into glucose, which provides us energy, and for breaking down fats and proteins. It is sometimes added to energy drinks in small amounts and while it makes them appear healthy, it probably contributes little.
"I think energy drinks should be made illegal," says Amit Maini*, a 28-year-old entrepreneur.
A year ago, when Maini and his cousin were getting their business ready for opening, he was working 80-hour work weeks.
"I was there 6 days a week, 12-15 hours a day," he remembers. "My desk used to be literally piled high with empty energy drink cans. Most days I'd have two cans before lunch, without even really thinking about it. And I was spending 200-300 bucks a day on them!"
But a routine trip to the family physician for a check-up revealed something startling: Amit's blood-pressure had gone from perfectly normal to dangerously high. He'd also gained 8 kgs of weight in less than six months. The doctor advised him to cut caffeine completely out of his diet and to begin exercising.
"It's been about 15 months now, and I've lost all the weight I put on, plus another 5 kgs," says Amit. "And my BP is lower than it was before I started my company! Now when I see an energy drink, it actually makes me feel sick to my stomach. I used to think energy drinks helped me squeeze more hours out of the day, but now I know I was just burning the candle at both ends. That stuff is no good."
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All consumer health tips on this page are provided by Saint Thomas Health in Nashville.
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