Marketed as health drinks. From google.ca
“Red Bull, Gives you Wings.” The popularity of energy drinks have increased exponentially during these past years. Marketed as health drinks and known as the beverage that provides enhancement of mental and physical performances for short period of time, many students and athletes consume it without realizing the risk they are taking.
Ingredients & Benefits
What are actually in energy drinks that are suppose to enhance our performances? Generally, energy drink majorly consists of the following:
- Methlxanthines
- Table Sugars
- B Vitamins
- Yerba Mate
- Guarana
- Taurine
Caffeine Powder. From google.ca
Most of these ingredients contain caffeines, a stimulant that wards off the feeling of drowsiness. An natural organic acid such as taurine enhances the function of cardiovascular and skeletal muscles and is proven to slightly increase the maximal strength for short duration of time.
Other proven benefits of energy drinks:
- Restoration of alertness
- Enhancement of diligence
- Reducing of physical fatigue
- Increase in energy.
Potential Risks
Although the effects of energy drinks sound beneficial, risks in health by consuming these drinks are significant. A report by the American Heart Association found energy drinks can raise blood pressure as well as irregular heartbeats. Furthermore, three researchers from University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston examined and discovered that energy drink can inhibit the normal function of the brain potentially leading to seizure. Some reports include a healthy 28 years old man who suffered from cardiac arrest after a motorcross racing and a healthy 18 years old man who died of playing basketball after drinking two cans of Red Bull.
Other proven risks of energy drinks:
- Muscle Tremors
- Strokes
- Mania
- Disorientation
- Depression
Doctors mentioning hidden dangers of energy drinks. From Youtube
Due to high concentration of sugars and citric acid in the drink, a irreversible tooth decay is another significant health risk to be considered. Poonan Jain, an associate professor in the School of Dental Medicine at Southern Illinois University, performed a research where he placed a tooth in energy drink for 15 minutes with 4 repetitions for 5 days, and measured the amount of enamel decayed from the tooth. He discovered that consuming energy drinks significantly dissolves the enamel faster than consuming soft drinks because of the presence of citric acid. Once the enamel is decayed off from the tooth, neither the body nor the dentist can restore the enamel tissue.
Enamel decayed teeth. From google.ca
Is it worth it?
Enhancement of mental and physical performances, restoration of alertness, and decrease in fatigue by consuming a simple drink does sound very convincing. However, is it really worth risking heart disease, brain malfunction, and potential death? I believe students should not dwell only in the present, but also consider the long term and invest for the future. Daily exercises and healthy diet not only naturally enhance mental and physical performances, but also create healthy bodies and feelings, a valuable gift that cannot be exchanged with anything else in the world.
References:
- http://caloriecount.about.com/health-risks-energy-drinks-b575077
- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/health/01brody.html
- http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/the-health-dangers-of-energy-drinks/
- http://concordweightlossclinic.com/diet/energy-drinks-risk-vs-benefit/
- http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/05/02/151868879/energy-drinks-can-take-teeth-on-an-irreversible-acid-trip
Youtube:
Michael HyoKeun Cho