Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing more energy than a typical drink. Although the amount of quantitative ‘energy’ (as measured in calories) in these drinks is often lower than that in regular soft drinks, there is scientific basis for concluding that the non-caffeine elements in these drinks contribute to mental alertness and physical performance. Generally energy drinks include methylxantines (including caffeine), B vitamins, and herbs. Other common ingredients are guarana, which has a high caffeine content, taurine, plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carbonated water, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo bioba. Some contain high levels of sugar, and many brands also offer artificially-sweetened ‘diet’ versions. The central ingredient in most energy drinks is caffeine, the same stimulant found in coffee or tea, often in the form of guarana or yerba mate. Caffeine has been shown to have benefits related to physical and mental performance. Consuming energy drinks, coffee, or other caffeinated beverages as a substitution for sleep will eventually lead to sleep deprivation, which can have undesirable effects. Consuming very high levels of caffeine has also been associated with increased heart rate, nausea, restlessness, anxiety, and tremors. Caffeine consumption levels that lead to these symptoms vary for each individual; however, moderate caffeine intake has not been shown to cause these effects in the normal, healthy population. Not all energy drinks contain the same amount of caffeine, so the amount in one cannot be estimated based on another. Certain subpopulations such as pregnant women and children should monitor their caffeine intake and consult their physician regarding their own personal consumption levels. Lipid oxidation was also shown to increase in subjects performing exercise after caffeine ingestion. The study therefore concluded that the consumption of caffeine or coffee, in reasonable amounts, would be a supplementary advantage to those following a weight reduction regime.
Adverse effects associated with caffeine consumption in amounts greater than 400 mg include nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), decreased bone levels, and stomach upset. The concentration of sugar in a sports drink is recommended to be 6-7% carbohydrate to allow maximum absorption and minimize spikes and crashes in blood sugar. Higher concentrations such as those seen in energy drinks will slow fluid absorption into the blood and energy system, increasing the possibility of dehydration. When a high level of sugar is in the blood stream the body cannot get the water into the cells that it needs because the water is busy trying to dilute concentration of sugar in the blood stream. energy drinks have been linked with reports of nausea, abnormal heart rhythms and emergency room visits.The drinks may cause seizures due to the “crash” following the energy high that occurs after consumption. Caffeine dosage is not required to be on the product label for food in the United States, unlike drugs, but some advocates are urging the FDA to change this practice.
Tags: caffeine, dehydration, energy drink, sugar, vitamins
