Energy drinks: side effects that you should know |
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A bottle of energy drink is a popular way to get the necessary energy when you simply don't have the time to sleep. Unfortunately, the price for an additional 3 or 4 hours of activity is too high.
Even natural energy drinks harm your body.
What is an energy drink?
Energy drink is a soft drink that - according to the claims of manufacturers - instantly increases energy levels in the body.
There are several studies that confirm that energy drinks really increase the mental and cognitive abilities, alertness and physical endurance for short periods of time.
Energy in the energy drink is not released as a result of burning calories, but as a result of the stimulants and vitamins it contains.
What does an energy drink contain?
Energy drinks typically contain xanthenes (including caffeine), sparkling water, taurine, B vitamins and some herbs. Common ingredients are guarana, yerba mate, acai, ginseng are ginkgo biloba. Sometimes the energy drinks also contain maltodextrin, inositol, carnitine and creatine.
Some energy drinks contain sugar, while other brands replace sugar with sweeteners. An unavoidable ingredient of energy drinks is caffeine (often from guarana or yerba mate). Energy drinks contain three times more caffeine than cola.
Why are energy drinks harmful?
Although one bottle of energy drink will not cause serious harm, 2-3 bottles a day can cause arrhythmia, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, dehydration and stomach pain.
In the USA, side effects caused by energy drink consumption are one of the frequent reasons of IR visits.
1. Energy drinks deplete energy reserves of the organism
Energy drinks owe their invigorating effects to synthetic caffeine, theobromine and theophylline.
These synthetic stimulants stimulate the creation of adrenaline, which increases heart rate and blood circulation.
Blood flow to the brain increases and you begin to feel happier and stronger.
This extra energy is not coming from the outside, but is drawn from the body. Such a "refreshment" comes at a cost: after a while exhaustion, apathy and insomnia become even stronger.
Regular consumption of energy drinks can deplete the adrenal glands and cause disease called adrenal fatigue.
2. Energy drinks are addictive
Like other stimulants, energy drinks are addictive. Many users of these drinks will soon become their hostages and literally depend on them.
Without their daily dose of energy drink, a person feels moody and irritable.
3. Energy drinks damage the internal organs
Energy drinks cause most damage to the heart and blood vessels, stomach and liver.
- Cardiovascular system often reacts to the "artificial energy" with arrhythmia, sudden changes in blood pressure and tachycardia.
- Stomach suffers because of carbon dioxide, which increases the formation of gastric juice and gastric acidity, which harms the gastrointestinal tract.
- Pleasant flavor, color and aroma of energy drinks are created with the help of chemicals. Every energy drink contains dozens of them. All that chemistry damages our liver.
Thus, even healthy adults are recommended to be cautious in taking energy drinks.
Not to mention that energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents.
Natural energy drinks - better than synthetic?
Many manufacturers of dietary supplements have decided to follow the trend and have started the production of natural, "healthy" energy drinks.
An example of such energy drinks are Forever Living FAB (containing taurine, guarana, unavoidable aloe vera, glutamine, carnitine, inositol, vitamins of the B group, sparkling water, acidity regulators, natural color, sugar and xylitol) and Vision IFly (based on guarana, ginseng , yerba mate, Rhodiola rosea and ginkgo biloba, containing glutamine, carnitine, caffeine, fructose and vitamin C).
However – you should be careful! Although natural, these energy drinks also contain high amounts of caffeine and act as stimulants.
This means they release the energy reserves deposited in our body. After a period of activity and euphoria comes a period in which energy levels and concentration decrease.
Prolonged consumption of energy drinks depletes your body, damages the cardiovascular system and causes premature aging.
How to replace an energy drink
If you are tired, but you do not have the opportunity to take a nap, try the following:
- light exercise - train lightly for 15 minutes to restore your energy and concentration
- short breaks - sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and relax for 15 minutes
- yoga, meditation, breathing exercises – these methods will certainly restore energy and well-being
- take a cold shower - this is a proven method of waking up!
- fresh air and sunshine - go out and take a walk in the fresh air
- ofood that provides energy - renew your energy level by eating a juicy fruit or whole grains
- water - drink a glass of spring or purified ionized water
In the long-term, consider how to find more time to sleep.
All the ancient medical traditions of the world speak about the importance of energy balance in the body. Our physical and emotional health depends on that balance.
Our body lets us know exactly what we have to do. If you are tired, it means it is time to rest and renew the energy.
Taking energy drinks disrupts this natural balance and that can result in long term problems on the mental and physical level.
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