The latest fad in town, energy drinks might actually be more harmful than the regular, artificially coloured drinks
THE term ‘energy drink’ has become a buzz word of late. Energy drinks have been popping up at various retail outlets and according to certain sources have overtaken bottled water as the fastest growing category in the beverage business in the foreign market.
Amidst their growing popularity there is a considerable amount of doubt concerning their side effects on heath. Though they were introduced late in Pakistan, but today there are a large variety of energy drink brands in the country. The sales of these drinks has been gaining momentum and more and more people want to try them out (that’s what is called The Bandwagon Effect in business studies). However, a number of these ignorant people are not taking an important fact into consideration and that is the side effect of these drinks. This is an important issue that must be addressed promptly
Though the names are different but almost all of the energy drinks have similar ingredients. The primary components are caffeine and sugar (in the form of glucose, sucrose and glucuronolactone). Other popular ingredients are herbal supplements, vitamins, amino acids (such as taurine) and guarana (a South American berry which has a stimulant effect similar to that of caffeine).
Sugar is used as an ingredient to provide an appealing taste and as a source of energy because it is quickly digested and absorbed into the body, thus providing energy promptly.
Amino acids are included, based on the perspective that they play a role in muscle contraction. Vitamin B is included as they are used by the body to extract energy from the food. Intake of herbal supplements is associated with various health benefits though nutritionists have warned that high intakes of these supplements can be harmful.
Guarana is present in these drinks as a stimulant. It gives stimulus to physical and cognitive performance. Excessive intake of such stimulants can have a negative impact on physical performance and the human metabolism. Typically energy drinks contain about 75-85mg of caffeine per can.
THE EFFECTS: Energy drinks only provide a burst of energy. The effect is not lasting. When the effect wears down, the individual slows down and then the craving for additional intake begins.
Loaded with sugar and short on protein they give the body a quick lift without providing any real nourishment. The lift soon gives way to a letdown and you feel hungrier than before. This can be the beginning of the vicious cycle. In real terms energy drinks do not provide lasting energy. They artificially and temporarily cover the human weaknesses and boost cognitive and physical performance temporarily. Humans are not naturally lethargic or sluggish. Sluggishness is brought about due to lack of sleep, a poor diet, stress etc. Thus, when humans rely on energy drinks to boost performance they are actually neglecting the root causes and covering up the problems temporarily. This in turn can be the beginning of a vicious cycle whereby temporal fitness is achieved at the expense of real sustainable health and fitness.
Caffeine and other stimulants of kind are effective ‘erogenic aids’ (erogenic aid is a substance or technique that improves physical performance) and thus enhance physical and cognitive performance by stimulating the cardiac output and the central nervous system. Energy drinks with their high sugar and caffeine combination provide a short sharp boost to performance.
High sugar concentration can slow absorption of water into the body. Thus these drinks are not suitable during prolonged or strenuous exercise. These drinks contain, have very little proteins and no dietary fibre. High level of caffeine intake under all circumstances is detrimental for health.
Different studies have found a strong link between caffeine intake and diabetes. Caffeine reduces insulin sensitivity by 15 per cent and leads to a state of inability to process blood sugar efficiently. Decreased insulin sensitivity is a symptom of diabetes.
Excessive use of energy drinks before physical activity is more likely to have a negative impact on the performance and the health of the participant. Additionally, the risks of high blood pressure, anxiety, shaking, elevated heart rate and increased urine discharge (which in turn increases the risk of dehydration) are associated with high intakes of such energy drinks. Caffeine boosts the levels of free fatty acids and an increase in the blood level of the hormone. Moreover high intake of caffeine has been linked to the damaging of blood vessels and a loss of aortic elasticity.
Many people are not aware of how much caffeine constitutes ‘high caffeine’. Thus, there is at least the potential for health risks associated with energy drinks. Energy drinks are not a practical or a healthy option. The caffeine content is not clearly mentioned on many energy drinks, thus the risk for excess intake of caffeine is likely to be high. The following are some important issues that must be kept in mind in relation to consuming energy drinks:
• Combining alcoholic beverages with energy drinks can have extremely detrimental effects (this is the combination of a depressant with a stimulant). This can lead to extreme levels of dehydration and overloading the body with heavy stimulants and depressants can lead to a possible heart failure.
• Young children can suffer from disturbed sleeping patterns, increased anxiety and bed wetting.
• Heart patients should avoid consuming energy drinks as the sudden jolt caused by caffeine can be strong enough to trigger a heart attack.
• Pregnant women are strongly advised to avoid energy drinks and all other high caffeine drinks to guard against the risk of spontaneous abortion.
• People showing sensitivity to caffeine can suffer from disturbed sleeping patterns, tremors, anxiety, intestinal problems etc. upon consuming caffeine beverages such as energy drinks.
• Taurine (an amino acid) which is present in almost all energy drinks has been linked to dehydration and intestinal problems.
Essentially, energy drinks are no meal replacements. Ideally their intake should be avoided or at least kept minimal. High levels of consumption are associated with various health risks. Health should be improved naturally via a proper dietary selection, good quality of food consumption, regular exercise, proper sleep and stress reduction rather than taking energy drinks. Thus, in light of the possible side effects of energy drinks, the bandwagon effect that is creeping into the society should be eliminated. Energy and health are only sustainable if natural!
The latest fad in town, energy drinks might actually be more harmful than the regular, artificially coloured drinks
