Recently the UAE health authorities have issued a ban stating that the kids and pregnant women should not consume energy drinks. Until then, I was blissfully unaware about the existence of energy drinks and the harm it causes to the body. After a small research this is what I found out.
According to its
manufacturers energy drinks increase energy levels and it is the result of
variety of stimulants and vitamins. Energy shots are specialized variety where
they are sold in 50 ml bottles and they are concentrated form of energy drinks.
There is a widespread awareness
in the health circles that these energy drinks are not good for health. Energy drinks
may induce agitation, anxiety, irritability and sleeplessness. These so called
energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine which can cause nervousness,
increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms and sometimes pupil dilatation when
taken with anti depressants.
Caffeine present in energy
drinks excretes water from the body and dilutes the high amount of sugar
entering the blood which directly results in dehydration. Dehydration reduces
the performance of the individual. When taken along with alcohol energy drinks
affects the heart rate, blood pressure and the mental stability. The caffeine content
of energy drinks may be around 80- 300mg along with high amounts of sugar.
Children with ADHD, diabetes
and heart condition should never take energy drinks. Caffeine can induce
sleeplessness and affect the ability of performance in children. Diabetic children
should be careful because the high amounts of sugar in energy drinks causes
imbalance in sugar and insulin levels.
The energy drinks are generally classified as
dietary supplements and it is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
There is a common tendency among people to believe that it is healthy
considering its classification as a health supplement.
According to a report in Time
Healthland officials in Germany
have been tracking health effects of energy drinks since 2002 and they have
noted liver damage, seizures, racing heart rate, respiratory discomfort and
even death. The so called sports drinks and energy drinks can corrode teeth due
to high acidity levels and will result in weakened tooth enamel.
Researchers have found a link
between consumption of energy drinks and risk taking behavior among college
students characterized by hyper-masculinity and risk taking. Researchers found
links between energy drinks consumption and substance abuse, participating in
extreme sports and doing something dangerous. Energy drinks consumption has
also been linked to heavy drinking and alcohol dependence.
Now these energy drinks are
not good for pregnant women. High amounts of caffeine can increase miscarriage,
difficulty in birth and low birth weight babies. The substances which are
present in energy drinks does not have concrete research backup about its safety during
pregnancy and lactation. At the end of the day a glass
of chilled fresh water spiced up with lemon would do wonders for your energy
level and health.
Take care
Swarnam
photos courtesy of www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net
photo of drink cans Victor Habbick
photo of cola splash by Paul
photo of cola by Rawich
