The market for energy drinks is growing ever stronger as people become desperate for ways to boost their energy. Energy drinks have two times the amount of caffeine as coffee and eight times the amount of caffeine as soda. Their caffeine content makes energy drinks one of the quickest and most efficient ways of boosting energy levels. With advertising dedicated toward those who participate in school, sports, and gaming, people are beginning to seek the benefits of energy drinks more frequently. It is important to keep in mind that the benefits do not outweigh the risks.
A single energy drink can contain dangerous amounts of caffeine, so consuming them quickly or in large volumes can result in excessive caffeine in the bloodstream. This much caffeine is not natural for your body to digest. Dehydration, irregular heartbeats, insomnia, anxiety, and high blood pressure are just some examples of side effects from excessive caffeine. These side effects can present themselves more strongly in the youth and exercising populations. The excessive amount of caffeine and supplements that is ingested when consuming these drinks is understood to be dangerous for our developing populations, according to the CDC. Those who use consume these drinks prior to their exercising sessions are at risk for extremely elevated heart rates and blood pressure, which increases the risk for adverse events such as cardiac arrest during exercise.
In conclusion, the consumption of these drinks may have its perks, but the reality is that they also come with many risks. While energy drinks in moderation are acceptable, their addictive qualities and their adverse health effects make them dangerous in nature. The consumption of energy drinks should be avoided before exercise, and children should avoid consuming these drinks in general. Let this be a reminder to be cautious to what you put in your body and to make active choices to live a healthier lifestyle.
