| Energy drinks have become the "rage" over the last | | | | with caffeine, however, is that it dehydrates your |
| few years. More than 500 brands are now on the | | | | body, and this dehydration can be serious -- it can |
| market, and it is estimated that it is now a five-billion | | | | even kill you. After drinking several energy drinks, |
| dollar a year industry in the US. Furthermore, many | | | | people begin to feel thirsty (the first sign of |
| of the most ardent fans of the drink are teenagers, | | | | dehydration) and they therefore drink more to |
| and much of the advertising is directed at them. | | | | relieve their thirst, which only makes them more |
| According to a recent survey, almost half (43%) of | | | | dehydrated. In addition, caffeine is addictive, and as |
| teenagers have tried the drinks, and many of them | | | | you drink more and more, you need more and more |
| use them regularly. | | | | to give you a high. |
| There's no question about it: everyone needs a lift | | | | Next we have the problem of the sugar. Although |
| once in a while, and most people turn to coffee. In | | | | there are a few sugar-free energy drinks on the |
| increasing numbers, however, people are turning to | | | | market, most are full of sugar, some containing as |
| energy drinks, particularly younger people. Students | | | | much as 30 grams per serving. To give you a better |
| are using them to stay awake while they cram for | | | | feel for 30 grams, it is approximately 4 teaspoons |
| exams, and young athletes are using them in hopes | | | | full, with each teaspoon containing about 15 calories. |
| of improving their athletic performance. And they are | | | | The total calories for the serving is therefore about |
| frequently coupled with energy (food) bars, to get | | | | 120, which isn't too bad, but as I mentioned earlier, |
| even more of a boost. | | | | many energy drink containers now contain 2 and 3 |
| Do they work? There's no doubt that they do -- | | | | servings, so you could get 700 calories in a container. |
| sometimes too well. As many people have found | | | | With the obesity problem, particularly among children, |
| after using them late at night, it's very difficult to get | | | | an extra 700 calories is something they could do |
| to sleep after they go to bed. And if they are used | | | | without. If it is added to their regular (balanced) diet, |
| to cram for an exam, the sleep you missed may be | | | | it could add a pound of weight in a week. |
| as critical as the cramming. Numerous studies have | | | | Let's look now at the other things in energy drinks. |
| shown that you lose a considerable amount of | | | | They vary from drink to drink, but some of the |
| cognitive power when you lose sleep. | | | | more common ones are given in the following list: |
| So what are they? To give you a boost, they have | | | | Guarana: It is a source of caffeine |
| to do two things: produce more glucose and get it to | | | | Taurine (an amino acid): It is added to enhance the |
| your cells as quickly as possible, and stimulate your | | | | caffeine's effect. |
| nervous system. And energy drinks do both well. | | | | Glucuronlactone: Effects are generally unknown, but it |
| They are made up mostly of sugar and caffeine; the | | | | may assist in excreting toxins. |
| sugar supplies the glucose and the caffeine stimulates | | | | Inositol: Effects are generally unknown, but some |
| your nerves. But they contain many other things | | | | may be positive. |
| along with the sugar and caffeine, and some of them | | | | Vitamin B: No problems. |
| worry health experts. | | | | Carnitine and ginseng: Generally considered to be |
| Even though energy drinks work well, they come at | | | | safe. |
| some cost. They increase your energy quickly (sugar | | | | Ephedrine: When mixed with alcohol it is hard on the |
| is turned into glucose almost immediately) and they | | | | heart. |
| make you feel great, but this high is relatively | | | | Pyruvate: Added as a "performance" booster, but in |
| short-lived. As the sugar enters your blood stream | | | | large amounts it can make you sick. |
| you get a "blast" of energy, but a half an hour or so | | | | Glutamine and argenine: Amino acids, no danger. |
| later you undergo a "crash" (when all the glucose is | | | | The biggest problem with these extra ingredients is |
| used up). You begin to feel weak and dizzy, and as a | | | | that, in some cases, the long-term effect of them is |
| result, many of you reach for another drink. This | | | | not known. Most are safe if used in moderation, but |
| brings us to the question: are they safe? Most health | | | | others are questionable. |
| experts agree that they are relatively safe if used in | | | | This brings us to the question: Who is most at risk? |
| moderation. After all, you get the same stimulation | | | | Because of the danger of dehydration, people with |
| from coffee, and there's no evidence that coffee, if | | | | high blood pressure and heart problems are definitely |
| used in moderation, is unsafe. | | | | at risk. Furthermore, children and even adolescents |
| As in coffee, the main problem for energy drinks is | | | | should be careful, and limit their use. Athletes also |
| the caffeine. Several studies have shown that for | | | | have to be careful; they should not use them during |
| most healthy adults, up to about 400 milligrams (mgs) | | | | competition because of the danger of dehydration. |
| per day is safe. Over that, however, it can have a | | | | But many people will say, "I thought sports drinks |
| number of side-effects: it is a diuretic, and can cause | | | | were good for athletes." And indeed, they are, but |
| fluid loss, and in excess it can cause jitters, upset | | | | it's important to distinguish sports drinks such as |
| stomach, headaches, and sleeping problems. So how | | | | Gatorade from energy drinks. They are quite |
| much caffeine is in these drinks? Let's begin by | | | | different. Sports drinks are designed to overcome |
| looking at a cup of regular coffee; it has an average | | | | dehydration; energy drinks cause dehydration. In |
| of about 100 mgs (but it can range from about 72 to | | | | particular, sports drinks replace electrolytes that are |
| 175). And it's well-known that for most people, more | | | | lost during perspiration, and these electrolytes, in turn, |
| than about 5 or 6 cups of coffee a day can cause | | | | maintain the salt and potassium balance in the body. |
| problems. We'll assume that the same thing applies to | | | | I've left the major problem to the end. Many people |
| energy drinks. So, how much caffeine is there in | | | | mix energy drinks with alcohol, and it's now |
| energy drinks? In a single serving it ranges from | | | | well-known that this can spell disaster. Mixing energy |
| about 72 to 150 mgs, which doesn't sound like too | | | | drinks with alcohol gives a person the feeling that he |
| much. One of the problems, however, is that many | | | | (or she) is not intoxicated. But in reality, he is; he |
| energy drink containers contain two or three | | | | cannot perform the usual test tasks for intoxication |
| servings. Some of these "supersized" drinks therefore | | | | any better than a person who drank only alcohol. |
| contain as much as 294 mgs, which is a lot. | | | | Furthermore, because he doesn't feel intoxicated, he |
| Another problem is that although 400 mgs per day is | | | | thinks he can drink more -- and usually does. And he |
| safe for adults, it is not necessarily safe for children | | | | may end up very drunk without realizing it. |
| and adolescents. Furthermore, coffee is hot and | | | | So, although energy drinks are generally considered |
| most people sip it slowly; energy drinks are cold and | | | | safe if used in moderation, you have to be careful. |
| are usually downed fairly fast. The major problem | | | | |