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| Posted : November, 2008 |
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Taking just one can of energy drink increases the risk of heart attack or stroke, even for young healthy people |
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Energy drinks harmful to health are flooding the market place. |
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Energy drinks interfere with our normal rational thinking. To excel at school or at work, students, athletes, doctors and nurses etc. should not take energy drinks. |
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| Energy drinks touted as giving you wings also give you a lot of health problems. Even young healthy people may show symptoms of cardio-vascular diseases one hour after taking just one can of energy drink. The results can be deadly if combined with stress or high blood pressure. Energy drinks may impair proper blood vessel functions and possibly increase the risk of blood clotting. |
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| Athletes should avoid energy drinks while playing sports because of related dehydration risk. The high concentration of carbohydrates in energy drinks would hinder rapid absorption of water into the body. Other potential health problems of taking energy drinks in the sports field include respiratory distress, headache, nausea and upset stomach etc. |
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| Moreover, energy drinks are linked to risky and aggressive behaviour of young people, prompting them to hurt the others or to be hurt as victims. The high caffeine content in energy drinks would increase stress levels, reduce concentration, and hamper complex memory tasks and problem solving. Hence energy drinks should be avoided by students who would like to excel in examinations. |
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| Doctors and nurses taking energy drinks are more prone to making medical errors. To protect their patients, they should refrain from consuming energy drinks and other caffeinated items. |
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| This article would discuss the following areas: |
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| I. |
What are energy drinks |
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| II. |
Research studies on the harmful effects of energy drinks |
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| III. |
Athletes taking energy drinks in the field may suffer from dehydration and other health problems |
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| IV. |
Why energy drinks are not for students and medical staff : Energy drinks would hamper cognition, problem solving ability and complex memory tasks |
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| V. |
The popularity of energy drinks: A gauging meter on the poor resting and sleeping habit in modern city life |
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In relying on energy drinks to boost performance, the quest for excellence becomes a trap in the search of vanity |
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| I. |
What are energy drinks |
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| 1.1 |
Distinction between energy drinks and sports drinks: |
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Energy drinks |
Sports drinks |
| Content |
Contain very high levels of caffeine. They may also contain other stimulants (e.g. ma huang or ephedra), amino acids (e.g. taurine), vitamins, minerals, and herbs (e.g. guarana seeds, kola nuts, Yerba mate leaves, ginkgo, ginseng etc). |
Contain carbohydrates and electrolytes (minerals) |
| Functions as claimed by the manufacturers |
Claim to increase mental and physical stamina and alertness. |
Claim to replenish the body's fluid and electrolyte needs after physical activity. |
| Examples |
Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, Snapple Fire, Power Horse, Atomic Energy, Full Throttle etc. |
Gatorade, Pocari, Powerade, Allsport etc. |
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The main active ingredient in energy drinks that provides the claimed stimulating effects is caffeine. Many energy drinks also have high levels of taurine, an amino acid found in protein-rich foods like meat and fish. Taurine can affect heart function and increase blood pressure. |
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| 1.2 |
The amount of caffeine in energy drinks |
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The amount of artificially added caffeine in energy drinks varies widely by brand. It may range from 80 - 140 mg of caffeine per 250 ml (8 oz.). However, the exact amount of caffeine available to the body may even be larger if the energy drinks has herbal ingredients that contain natural caffeine in it. These herbs include guarana seeds, kola nuts, and Yerba mate leaves. |
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Another dangerous trend is that some energy drinks come in bigger bottles to increase their competitive edge. A "mainstream" energy drink in the US now contains 160 mg of caffeine in 500 ml (16 oz.) bottle . The largest size is 750 ml (24 oz.). Therefore one bottle of energy drink may contain as much as 500 mg of caffeine. (Source) |
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Note: The caffeine content in most soft drinks falls in the range of 30 to 50 mg per can (375 ml; 12 oz.). |
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| 1.3 |
Caffeine Intoxication by energy drinks |
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Caffeine intoxication means that the body is poisoned by an overdose of caffeine. Symptoms include restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, rapid heartbeat and stomach problems. In extreme cases, it can be fatal. |
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In 2006, 31% of teenagers in the US said they consumed energy drinks, representing 7.6 million teens. Some of them may pour down several cans in a row to get a buzz. A US study in 2006 found a surprising number of poison-center calls from young people getting sick from too much caffeine in energy drinks (Source). This has raised much concern among medical doctors. |
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As energy drinks often contain dehydrating doses of caffeine or potentially dangerous stimulant herbs such as ma huang or ephedra, they can endanger the following categories of people: |
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People with heart disease or high blood pressure |
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People that have seizure disorders or psychological disorders (Source) |
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Athletes who have lost a lot of sweat during sports activities |
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| II. |
Research studies on the harmful effects of energy drinks |
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Australian Research: Just one can of energy drinks results in symptoms of cardio-vascular diseases (heart and blood vessel diseases), even for young healthy people |
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US Research: Regular consumption of energy drinks increases the heart rate and blood pressure of young healthy people |
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US Research: Energy drinks are linked to risky and aggressive behaviour of young people |
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| 2.1 |
Australian Research: Just one can of energy drinks results in symptoms of cardio-vascular diseases (heart and blood vessel diseases), even for young healthy people |
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In a research conducted by the Cardiovascular Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia, researchers tested the cardiovascular systems of 30 young adults one hour before and one hour after consuming 250 ml (one can; 8 oz.) of an energy drink, the sugar-free Red Bull (with around 80mg of caffeine). |
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It was found that one hour after consuming the drink, these healthy young people developed symptoms normally associated with cardiovascular disease . Energy drinks would cause the blood to become sticky, impairing proper blood vessel functions and possibly lifting the risk of blood clotting. |
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According to the lead researcher Dr. Scott Willoughby, the results can be deadly when combined with stress or high blood pressure. Heart attack or stroke may occur. [Note: Red Bull has been banned in countries such as Norway, Uruguay and Denmark because of its potential health risks.] (Related News: Aug 14, 2008) |
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How a blood clot is formed rapidly in a cascade: |
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Under certain triggering factors, the fibrinogen molecules in blood plasma are converted to soluble fibrin molecules, which rapidly form cross-links to become an insoluble mesh-like structure. Some red blood cells are trapped by it, forming a clot. |
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| 2.2 |
US Research: Regular consumption of energy drinks increases the heart rate and blood pressure of young healthy people |
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In a study conducted by the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, USA, researchers studied the effects of energy drinks on 15 young healthy people with an average age of 26. The participants consumed two cans of energy drinks per day, over a period of 7 days. Each can contained 80 mg of caffeine and 1,000 mg of taurine. |
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They were asked not to consume other forms of caffeine for two days before starting the study and then throughout the study. Their heart rate and blood pressure were measured each day while they were sitting in a chair watching movies. It was found that: |
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Changes on the 1st day |
Changes on the 7th day |
| Heart rates |
Increased by about 8% |
Increased by about 11% |
| Maximum systolic blood pressure (the top number in blood pressure readings) |
Increased by about 8% |
Increased by about 10% |
| Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in blood pressure readings) |
Increased by about 7% |
Increased by about 8% |
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Although the increase in heart rates and blood pressure did not rise to dangerous levels in these young healthy volunteers, the researchers noted that the effects could be significant in people with heart disease or high blood pressure. Energy drinks may also affect the effectiveness of medications taken to lower heart rate or blood pressure. Therefore these patients should not take any energy drink. (Related News: Nov 6, 2007) |
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| 2.3 |
US Research: Energy drinks are linked to risky and aggressive behaviour of young people |
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In a study conducted by the University of Buffalo in the US, high consumption of energy drinks was associated with "toxic jock" behaviour among young people. That means under the strong toxic influence of energy drinks, young people may engage in a wide range of risky and aggressive behaviour, including unprotected sex, substance abuse and violence. The report of the study was published in the March 2007 issue of the Journal of American College Health. (Related News: May 27, 2008) |
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In addition, US researchers in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine conducted a research review on the marketing, regulation and health effects of caffeinated energy drinks. They found that young people taking caffeine-fueled energy drinks were more prone to illicit use of prescription drugs that have stimulating effects on the nervous system. |
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Therefore the researchers called for regulations requiring labeling of the caffeine content of energy drinks, with warnings on the potential for caffeine intoxication. The research report was published in the September 2008 issue of the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. (Related News: Sept 30, 2008) |
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Taking alcoholic energy drinks are more dangerous than drinking alcohol alone |
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Many young people were sickened by energy drinks and had to be sent for emergency medical treatment |
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2.3.1 Why energy drinks often pose more harm than coffee |
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The toxic effects of energy drinks are often more severe than coffee with equally high caffeine content. This is because energy drinks are served cold. Hence they are consumed more quickly and in larger amounts than hot coffee, which is slowly sipped. |
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2.3.2 Why energy drinks with alcohol are more dangerous than alcohol alone |
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Energy drinks with alcohol content, nicknamed "Alcopops", are highly dangerous products. Their sweetened taste masks the unpleasant taste of alcohol, making them more appealing to young drinkers, especially females. |
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According to a research study, the presence of caffeine makes alcohol users feel less drunk. But their motor coordination and visual reaction time are just as impaired as when they drink alcohol by itself. (The research report was published in the April 2006 issue of the medical journal "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research".) |
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In another study conducted by the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in the US, researchers surveyed the consumption of energy drinks with alcohol among 4,271 college students at 10 universities in North Carolina. |
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Compared to those who consumed alcohol by itself, researchers found that those students who took energy drinks with alcohol: |
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They got drunk twice as often per week. |
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They drank up to 36% more than the other students in a typical drinking session. |
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They were twice as likely to be hurt or injured. |
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They were twice as likely to require medical treatment afterwards. |
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They were twice as likely to travel with a drunk driver. |
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They were more than twice as likely to take sexual advantage of someone else. |
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They had almost double the risk of being taken advantage of sexually. |
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According to Professor Mary Claire O'Brien who led this research, "Only the symptoms of drunkenness are reduced - but not the drunkenness. They can't tell if they're drunk, they can't tell if someone else is drunk. So they get hurt, or they hurt someone else." The research report was published in the May 2008 issue of the medical journal "Academic Emergency Medicine". (Related News: Nov 5, 2007; May 27, 2008) |
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2.3.3 Intoxication of kids and teens in Australia by alcoholic energy drinks |
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The Australian National Council on Drugs reported in February 2008 that 20% of 16-year-olds in the country drank at harmful levels in any given week, while one in 200 children aged 12 also drank at harmful levels. (Note: The legal age for drinking alcohol in Australia is 18). |
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According to estimates by Australia's National Drug Research Institute, one Australian teenager dies and more than 60 are hospitalised each week from alcohol-related causes. The popularity of energy drinks with high alcohol content among students and young people is a major reason for such phenomenon. This prompted two major brewers in Australia to stop producing energy drinks with high alcohol content. (Related News: Mar 20, 2008) |
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The ability to concentrate is very important to many types of sports. Energy drinks would reduce concentration and worsen sports performance. |
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A good sportsman is someone who knows when to go in full force and when to stop for a proper rest |
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| III. |
Athletes taking energy drinks in the field may suffer from dehydration and other health problems |
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At the Westfield High School in Fairfax County in Virginia, USA, all energy drinks have been banned for athletes in the sports field. Several students, some in respiratory distress, had to be taken off the field by ambulance after consuming energy drinks. "A lot of them would get a terrible headache, and have difficulty concentrating, nausea, upset stomach," said the school's athletic trainer Roslyn Weise. (Related News: May 6, 2006) |
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Similar cases occurred in other parts of the US, including Colorado Springs, and Broward County of Florida. High school and middle school students fell ill or had to be rushed to the emergency room after taking energy drinks. In Tigard of Oregon, teachers sent parents e-mail alerting them that students who brought energy drinks to school were "literally drunk" on a caffeine buzz or falling off a caffeine crash. (Related News: May 27, 2008) |
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| 3.1 |
Why energy drinks cause more harm than good to athletes |
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Energy drinks are poor choices for post-exercise hydration because they are not designed with optimal ingredients to re-hydrate and balance electrolytes. They usually have very high levels of caffeine and carbohydrates (usually more than 25 gram per oz.). |
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These ingredients in energy drinks would make the athletes more stressful, less concentrated, more difficult to re-hydrate, and may cause intestinal discomfort. When rapid replacement of sweat loss is important, athletes should not to take any energy drinks, particularly soon before or during physical activities. |
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| Effect of ingredients |
Potential harm to the athletes |
| Caffeine would amplify the stress level throughout the day (Source) |
Athletes under constantly high stress may perform less well than otherwise. |
| Caffeine has powerful diuretic effects, i.e. increases the amount of water excreted through urine. |
When more water is lost through urine, mild dehydration may occur. Previous studies showed that just 2% dehydration would affect concentration, make people irritable, and worsen performance (Source). |
| Caffeine has laxative effects, i.e. causes relaxation of the intestine (Source) |
People with low tolerance to caffeine may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, particularly young children and teens. |
| High concentrations of carbohydrates will slow the rate of fluid absorption from the intestine into the blood (Source) |
This would hinder re-hydration during exercise. When consumed soon before or during exercise, high concentrations of carbohydrate can cause gastrointestinal distress. |
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Taking energy drinks is equivalent to wearing the emperor's new clothes. One opts to pretend to be full of energy while the body is actually exhausted. |
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| 3.2 |
Misperception of the performance-enhancing effects of energy drinks : Equivalent to wearing "the emperor's new clothes" |
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After strenuous exercise or training, athletes may experience "energy drain" and fatigue. Such feelings are normal signals from our body, telling us to take adequate rest, and consume water and appropriate nutrients for body recovery. |
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Taking highly caffeinated energy drinks has totally defeated this purpose. The caffeine content would give the body a chemical jolt, cheating our brain that the body is still alert with lots of energy for further exercise. Such a false sensation prompts many athletes to over-work their bodies, causing unnecessary injuries. This also delays the badly needed rest and body recovery after exercise. |
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Therefore, relying on energy drinks to boost performance is similar to wearing "the emperor's new clothes", in which the emperor pretended he was wearing a piece of new clothes while he was actually naked. One opts to cheat the body with energy drinks while actually being exhausted. |
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Nature has its own rule. There's no quick fix for body recovery after strenuous exercise. We need to allow for the required time and rest, as well as to replenish nutrients with normal foods. Taking artificial chemicals simply results in more harm to the body. (more info on the toxic effects of caffeine) |
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Whenever a specific part of the brain is activated, blood vessels widen to increase blood flow to that area |
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Less blood flow may result in insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. The brain cells (photo) can be damaged or die pre-maturely. |
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Doctors and nurses taking energy drinks or other caffeinated items at work are more prone to medical errors. |
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| IV. |
Why energy drinks are not for students and medical staff : Energy drinks would hamper cognition, problem solving ability and complex memory tasks |
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For students who want to write good term papers and excel in exams, they should steer away from energy drinks. Energy drinks would make people more stressful and less concentrated. They also lessen the agility in thinking by causing less blood flow to the brain. People become less able to memorize unrelated facts, or apply what they have learnt to different situations. |
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| Effect of ingredients |
Negative effects on thinking and study |
| Caffeine constricts blood vessels. High caffeine intake (e.g. 200mg) reduces blood flow to the brain by 35% on average among regular caffeine users. (Related US research by University of California San Diego, Pg. 5) |
Less oxygen to the brain due to reduced blood flow would impair memory and cognition. (Note: Reduced blood flow to the brain is also believed to be a contributor to vision and hearing loss typically associated with aging. Source) |
| Caffeine would amplify the stress level throughout the day (Source) |
A US research found that stress would worsen performance of students on problem solving, and reduce their ability to transfer what they had learnt to different situations, even unique ones. That is, students would become much less flexible in their thinking. (Source) |
| Caffeine attacks the nervous system and disrupts the normal functions of the brain. (more info) |
Caffeine can make people more effectively focus on similar information, but suppress access to information unrelated to the current train of thought. In a research in Italy, people taking caffeine found it easier to recall words that sounded like others they had recently heard. But they encountered more difficulty in recalling unrelated information, especially those well-learnt by heart previously but rarely used. (Source) |
| Caffeine has powerful diuretic effects, i.e. increases the amount of water excreted through urine. |
More water is lost through urine, resulting in mild dehydration. Previous studies showed that just 2% dehydration would affect concentration, make people irritable, and worsen performance (Source). |
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How our brain works: |
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The thinking process in the brain involves a series of very complex electro-biochemical reactions. Whenever a specific part of the brain is activated, blood vessels widen to increase blood flow to that area. This helps supply the required oxygen and nutrients (energy source) to the brain cells. |
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However, by constricting the blood vessels in the brain, highly caffeinated energy drinks make the brain cells deprived of the oxygen and nutrients they need. The brain cells can be damaged or die pre-maturely. |
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Therefore regular intake of energy drinks is equivalent to quietly killing our own brain cells in a gradual manner. We may not notice it immediately. But as time goes by, serious and irreversible damages may show up in various forms, such as stroke, dementia and other brain diseases. |
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Medical professionals and other workers should not take energy drinks: |
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For the same reasons listed above, night shift workers, long-haul truck drivers and scholars who rely on energy drinks or other caffeinated drinks to keep them alert are actually making themselves less productive. By reducing their power of concentration, these drinks may also lead to traffic accidents for drivers, or cause unnecessary injuries among other workers. |
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Doctors and nurses taking highly caffeinated energy drinks may be more prone to medical errors and endanger the health of their patients. Therefore hospitals and clinics should impose strict work codes to their employees to stop using any caffeinated drinks and foods. |
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Let's treat ourselves in a more humane way, and take a proper rest instead of consuming energy drinks when tired. |
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| V |
The popularity of energy drinks : A gauging meter on the poor resting and sleeping habit in modern city life |
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Energy drink is a rapidly growing sector in many countries. In 2006, the market for energy drinks was worth $5.4 billion in the US, where the growth rate averaged 50% per year from 2001 to 2006 (Source). In Hong Kong, some beverage companies hire promoters to distribute free energy drinks on the street to lure customers for a first trial. |
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In the hectic modern city, the general population is suffering from chronic fatigue, both physically and mentally. Instead of taking a good rest with better nourishment, many people have been fooled by the marketing hype from beverage companies, who touted energy drinks with high levels of toxic caffeine and dangerous stimulants. |
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Heavy reliance on energy drinks not only creates an abnormally stressful burden to our body, but also turns people into aggressive and risky behaviour. Therefore energy drinks are harmful to our body, mind and soul. They are poisons to the harmony of the society as a whole. |
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It is time to start treating ourselves in a more humane way, and take a proper rest instead of consuming energy drinks when our body needs a recharge. It's time to start taking proper care of our body, and say "No" to energy drinks. |
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All schools, including universities, should educate their students the harm of energy drinks, and ban the sale of such products in their premises. |
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All parents should educate their children about the harm of energy drinks, and act as a good role model by not consuming such products themselves. |
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All government bodies should protect the public's health by banning the sale of highly caffeinated energy drinks in their countries, particularly alcoholic energy drinks. This would stop the proliferation of diseases caused by energy drinks, and drastically reduce the pertinent health care costs. |
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To protect the health of patients, all hospitals and clinics should impose strict work codes to all their employees to stop using any caffeinated drinks and foods, including energy drinks. |
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To ensure the highest productivity, all companies should tell their employees not to take any caffeinated drinks and foods, including energy drinks. |
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To be good corporate citizens, retail shops, convenience stores and supermarkets should refuse to carry energy drinks for sale at their outlets. They should offer other healthy foods and drinks to the customers instead. |
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