The energy drinks sold widely in the market are meant to make you alert, decrease fatigue and improve physical performance. That sounds like a good bet. It’s the reason why many consume it to increase alertness. Many athletes also drink these for athletic performance. But, in exchange for these, do these energy drinks harm your health in any way? What are these made of to improve alertness and performance to such a degree? What impact do energy drinks have on your body? To get answers to these questions, Onlymyhealth spoke to Kavita Devgan, a nutritionist and the author of the book ‘The Don’t Diet Plan’.
What Do Energy Drinks Contain?
Energy drinks primarily contain caffeine, which explains alertness. According to Harvard Health, some of these drinks contain as much as 200 mg of caffeine per serving, which is equal to two cups of brewed coffee. Next, sugar is the most common ingredient, and some of these contain more sugar per can than soda. Energy drinks also contain some herbs, amino acids derivates, and additives. But these components often vary, nutritionist Kavita Devgan said.
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Health Impact Of Energy Drink
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“I do not recommend energy drinks to anyone, not even athletes,” the expert said. It is because of the following reasons:
1. Caffeine
Energy drinks contain a large amount of caffeine, and too much of it can be harmful in the long run. It can cause:
- Caffeine dependence
- Anxiety
- Elevated heart rate
- Restlessness
- Dehydration
- Digestive problems
Insomnia, a sleep disorder characterised by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep, is also seen as a side effect of drinking energy drinks.
Also read: Consuming Too Much Energy Drink Can Damage Your Heart: Study
2. Sugar
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Sugar is another problematic area when it comes to energy drinks. Excessive sugar consumption is linked with several health issues, such as:
- Weight gain
- Type-2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases, among others
Although some trials have shown that energy drinks increase alertness, diminish fatigue, and improve physical performance, most trials have shown the negative effects they have on our bodies. Also, many mixes these drinks with alcohol, a dangerous cocktail that can have detrimental health impacts. As energy drinks make you alert, you overdrink alcohol to get inebriated, leading to overconsumption of alcohol. It doesn’t just harm your cardiovascular and neurological health, but can even turn out to be fatal, according to Harvard Health.
Also read: From Caffeine, Sugar To Alcohol: How These 8 Foods Affect Mood
Hence, “avoid energy drinks as much as possible,” recommends nutritionist Kavita Devgan. When looking for a beverage, water is the best one available. No one can challenge the importance and health-benefitting properties of water. You can also opt for green or other herbal teas. If looking for something that induces alertness, milder caffeine alternatives are what you can go for. Black tea or a cup of coffee are good alternatives. However, do not overconsume these as they can make you anxious, dehydrated and interfere with your sleep cycle. Also, never consume caffeinated beverages close to your bedtime as these are stimulants and can severely hamper your good night’s sleep.
(With inputs from Kavita Devgan, a nutritionist and the author of the book, ‘The Don’t Diet Plan’)
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