Energy drinks: YES or NO

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are the types of beverage that contains high levels of a stimulant ingredient, usually caffeine, also as sugar and sometimes supplements, like vitamins or carnitine, and these energy drinks are capable of enhancing mental alertness and physical performance.

Energy drinks are designed to extend energy and mental performance. Energy drinks are distinguished from other sports drinks, which are used to replace water and electrolytes during or after physical activity, and from coffee and tea, which are brewed, contain fewer ingredients, and maybe decaffeinated. Energy drinks also differ from soft drinks, which either don't contain caffeine or contain relatively small amounts of caffeine. Although some energy drinks are considered beverages, others, namely those containing food additives, maybe marketed as dietary supplements. There are so many brands of energy drinks including, Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar.

Benefits of Energy Drinks

People consume energy drinks for a variety of reasons. One of the most famous is to increase mental alertness by improving brain function. Researches also confirm that energy drinks can indeed improve brain functions such as memory, concentration and reaction time, as well as it can also reduce mental fatigue.

Another reason people consume energy drinks are to help them function when they are sleep deprived or tired. Drivers on long late night road trips often reach for energy drinks to help them stay alert while they are behind the wheel. Research has shown that energy drinks can increase driving quality and reduce sleepiness. Similarly, many night shift workers use energy drinks to help them fulfill job requirements during hours when most people are sound asleep.

Once you are high on energy, you will be able to take on anything. Eliminating the groggy and temperamental mood will lead to constructive relationships among your friends and family.

Energy drinks having sugar and caffeine also contains large amounts of Vitamin B, which is used to give energy. Gulping down an energy drink before a workout can help together with your performance and endurance.

Side Effects

The dangers associated with energy drinks are getting a lot of bad press because of large volume of energy stimulating products in marketplace and the ease of access to these by minors.

1- Cardiac Arrest: Those with underlying heart conditions have gone into cardiac arrest after just few energy drinks.

2- Headaches and Migraines Excess amount of energy drinks are major cause of severe headaches due to the presence of large amount of caffeine. Changing the amount of caffeine ingestion daily can cause more frequent headaches.

3- Increased Anxiety High dose of caffeine can cause anxiety, Very high doses can even cause full blown panic attacks.

4- Addiction People can become addicted to caffeine and energy drinks. This can cause a scarcity of functioning when unable to possess the energy drink or financial stress from having to shop for several energy drinks daily.

5- High Blood Pressure Caffeinated products like energy drinks can elevate a person's blood pressure. For those with normal vital sign , this is not concerning, but those with already elevated vital sign might be placing themselves in danger of stroke and other health problems related to hypertension if they consume too many energy drinks in short period of time.

Moderation is Key

Too much of anything can potentially be dangerous, so moderation is suggested when consuming energy drinks. Caffeine and other ingredients in these beverages are drugs and should be respected and used in accordance with established recommended daily amounts. To reduce the above potential energy drink dangers education is the key. Consumers need to be aware of how much caffeine is in a drink and parents need to know exactly what their children are drinking and talk to them about what is safe.