Are energy drinks bad for you?
Source: www.nycapollo.org/are-energy-drinks-bad-for-you/

To put it simply, they can be quite unhealthy. In recent years energy drinks have become very popular amongst teens, due largely to the fact that they have been marketed as a natural product for improving stamina and concentration.

The majority of these popular drinks like Red Bull, Venom, and Adrenaline Rush, among others, contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar. Some reports show that the amount of caffeine in an energy drink was higher than 65 mg per 12 ounces, which is higher than the FDA limit set for soft drinks. The caffeine levels in energy drinks are not currently regulated by the FDA. Many of these drinks contain more than 80 mg of caffeine. To put these caffeine levels into perspective, a regular cup of coffee contains about 80 mg of caffeine, while a Mountain Dew contains around 37 mg.

Energy drinks should be consumed with caution. While studies do not link caffeine with any serious illness, caffeine does produce some side effects. Increased heart rate and blood pressure may occur with increased consumption of caffeine. Dehydration may also happen when a person exercising uses energy drinks as fitness beverages. Continued ingestion of caffeine may result in difficulty sleeping, stomach concerns and anxiety.

In addition to caffeine and sugar, some energy drinks contain legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng. Guarana is said to be an effective energy booster. It contains about double the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans. Research has shown guarana may have some metabolic effects such as increased memory retention and physical endurance. Ginseng may be “a promising dietary supplement” when assessed for an increase in quality of life. Studies have shown that ginseng may stimulate mental and physical activity, improve accuracy of work, prevent fatigue, stimulate the endocrine glands, and improve memory. The full benefits of these natural stimulants are still being studied.

Even though energy drinks may appear to have numerous health benefits, they really are not good for you either. Be sure to drink enough water while consuming these beverages in order to prevent dehydration. Use caution when purchasing energy drinks that make claims of increased performance as most often these beverages have high amounts of caffeine to give you a short term boost.

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