Health Effects of Energy Drinks




Energy drinks have become a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to grow, yet regulation of this enterprise remains largely unchecked. Now, a new study shows that healthy adults who consume energy drinks have "significantly increased" heart contraction rates an hour later.

Energy drinks contain supplements and vitamins and are required to list warnings on the label about consuming more than the recommended serving.

Over consumption of energy drinks may lead to the following outcomes

Liver damage
Respiratory Disorder
Seizures
Rhabdomyolysis
Heart Palpitations
Myocardial Infarction
Coronary Vasoconstriction
Cerebral Vasoconstriction
Altered Electrolyte Levels
Interferes with Calcium Absorption
Increased Sweat Excretion
Affected Blood Pressure
Psychotic conditions
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal Pain
Increase Urine Flow
Kidney failure
Agitation

The ingredients of energy drinks vary a great deal from one brand to another, but many of them contain potentially harmful substances, such as caffeine, taurine, sugars, sweeteners, herbal supplements, and other ingredients. Although energy drinks are easily confused with sports drinks and vitamin waters, they are actually quite distinct, in that sports drinks and vitamin waters may be suitable for rehydration, whereas energy drinks are not. This is because some of the ingredients in energy drinks carry potential risks, these beverages typically provide little or no benefit, and they can cause drug interactions. Try to drink filtered water.

There are a number of health risks associated with energy drinks, including:

Cardiac Arrest
Those with underlying heart conditions have gone into cardiac arrest after just a few energy drinks. Before drinking energy drinks or caffeine, be sure to know your heart’s health. Studies showes that energy drinks cause more forceful heart contractions, which could be harmful to some with certain heart conditions.

Headaches and Migraines
Too many energy drinks can lead to severe headaches from the caffeine withdrawal symptoms. Changing the amount of caffeine you ingest daily can cause more frequent headaches.

Insomnia
Energy drinks do a good job of keeping people awake, but when abused, they can cause some people to miss sleep all together. This lack of sleep causes impaired functioning and can be dangerous to drive or perform other concentration heavy tasks.

Type 2 Diabetes
Because many energy drinks are also very high in sugar, they can eventually wear out the insulin producing cells of the pancreas, which leads to type 2 diabetes.

Drug Interaction
Some of the ingredients in energy drinks can interact with prescription medications especially medications taken for depression.

Addiction
People can become addicted to caffeine and energy drinks. This can lead to lack of functioning when unable to have the energy drink or a financial stress from having to buy several energy drinks daily.

Risky behavior
Studies showed that teens are more likely to take dangerous risks when high on caffeine. This could result in injury or legal trouble.

Jitters and Nervousness
Too much caffeine from energy drinks causes some people to shake and be anxious. This can interfere with performing needed tasks or cause emotional issues. 

Vomiting
Too many energy drinks can lead to vomiting. This causes dehydration and acid erosion of teeth and esophagus if frequent.

Allergic Reactions
Because of the many ingredients in energy drinks reactions could occur, from minor itching to airway constriction.

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