Energy drinks might provide a boost and improved physical performance, but their faults largely outweigh their benefits. We know these drinks are popular, but just how popular are they? Much of the target market for energy drinks is young boys, which makes sense considering they’re two-thirds of the market. In the United States, energy drinks are the second most common dietary supplement among young people.
What’s the hype?
The rallying cry of these drinks is simple: they give you energy. Keeping slogans straightforward eliminates many concerns regarding energy drink content. For example, would you really drink something that said, “ Red Bull gives you wings… but might also give you an aneurysm”? Probably not. These drinks often hide behind BMX tricks and crazy dares that are, in all honesty, impressive. What they don’t tell you, though, is that the drink didn’t enable these elite athletes to do donuts on a helipad or skydive from space (I wish I was making this up).
These energy boosters combine sugar, caffeine, and other chemicals to create an addictive buzz. According to Ahmed Alsunni, writing for the University of Dammam, Department of Physiology, energy drinks usually contain80 to 150 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces, equal to 5 ounces of coffee or two12-ounce cans of caffeinated soda. These drinks also contain large amounts of sugar, ranging from 21 to 34 grams per ounce.
Effects of energy drink consumption
Maybe you’re someone who has a couple of energy drinks and a couple of cups of coffee daily for energy and sanity. Overtime, the effects will cause a strain on your physical and possibly mental health as well. Even though articles might say 400 mg of caffeine is safe for most healthy adults, Alsunni writes that people develop symptoms of caffeine intoxication in doses equal to or above 200 mg.
These symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, gastrointestinal upsetness, muscle twitching, restlessness, and periods of inexhaustibility. The large amounts of sugar found in energy drinks might also increase the risk of obesity, along with type 2 diabetes. There also exists a relationship between energy drink consumption and arterial dilatation, aneurysm formation, dissection, and rupture of large arteries—ouch. Not to mention, too much caffeine is associated with chronic headaches.
Possible alternatives
You don’t have to cut out caffeine cold turkey just because energy drinks are bad for you. There are some alternatives that provide you with the desired boost to get through a workout or a day in the office.
Coffee
According to the American Sports and Fitness Association (ASFA), coffee is a great alternative to energy drinks because it contains antioxidants that can prevent the development of certain diseases. Coffee is also versatile, as I’m sure you’re aware; it can be prepared in a multitude of ways.
Although coffee is healthier than an energy drink, many caffeinated drinks contain a similar amount of sugar, and the majority of people don’t drink coffee black. There are also potential long-term health drawbacks of coffee. If trying to wean yourself off energy drinks and strictly onto coffee, there are ways to drink it without dealing with all the negative side effects.
Tea
This is a great alternative to energy drinks, as tea helps you stay alert and focused in a more natural approach. ASFA notes that some teas contain antioxidants that may reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. These also can improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. Good options include green tea and matcha.
Various waters
Water is always a good beverage choice, no matter the occasion. It’s the purest out of this list, as it contains no caffeine and no chemicals that result in unsteady heart rhythms and upset stomachs. To level your water up, you can drink coconut water, which is a great source of electrolytes.
So, I hope you’ve learned your lesson on the risks of energy drinks. It’s okay to have one every once in a while, but it’s wise to not drink them multiple times a day or even once daily. Anything you become dependent on to get you through life (other than food and water) is probably not the best for your body.
