Side Effects of Energy Drinks
The purpose of energy drinks is to give you a strong burst of energy for a few hours. These drinks may provide you more energy than soda or coffee because they contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar. However, such regular consumption of such a large amount of sugar and caffeine may be dangerous to your health, according to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
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Caffeine
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One of the main components of energy drinks is caffeine, which is a stimulant. An energy drink contains more caffeine than a cup of coffee, and the body does not have time to process it properly as it does with coffee. As a result, you will likely experience insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Those who have heart problems should not consume energy drinks for this reason, according to Mayo Clinic. Also, caffeine is a type of diuretic, which leads to water loss that can make you dehydrated.
Sugar
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Most energy drinks contain high amounts of sugar that boost your energy---but will ultimately lead to an energy crash. Regularly consuming large amounts of sugar in any form, including energy drinks, will likely make you gain weight. Energy drinks that are sugar-free are not healthful either, as they still have a lot of caffeine in them.
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Vitamins
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Some types of energy drinks contain vitamins and are marketed as a better and more healthful choice compared with other energy drinks that do not contain vitamins. An example is the "5-Hour Energy" drink which contains vitamins B6, B12, B3, and B9, which are supposed to increase your level of energy. However, there is skepticism as to whether taking these vitamins in the form of an energy drink is really that healthy for you. According to cnn.com, an overdose of vitamin B3 can even cause your body to turn red and to tingle. Nerve spasms are a common side effect of taking too much vitamin B6, according to cnn.com. In addition, this drink does not contain as much as other types of energy drinks. In fact, its caffeine content is equivalent to the amount found in a cup of coffee. Also, "5-Hour Energy" does not contain sugar, as do other energy drinks.
Warning
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The Sandspur newspaper advises that you do not mix energy drinks with alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant, and energy drinks are considered to be stimulants. This is a very unhealthy combination, and perhaps even dangerous, according to the Sandspur. An example is a beverage consisting of Red Bull and vodka.
Prevention/Solution
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It is not likely that drinking an energy drink once in a while will harm you. However, according to Mayo Clinic, if you are drinking energy drinks on a regular basis, you should find a more healthful long-term solution. Eat well, exercise, and get regular sleep in order to gain more lasting energy.
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