Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are defined basically as the drinks that boost energy and are categorized under soft drinks. Energy drinks have gained popularity in recent times perhaps due to the busy schedules but also popular with party lovers and club goers and targeted at age group 18 -30 years. Their ability to keep one on high energy is a desirable effect where fatigue is countered and other slow states of energy like caffeine withdrawal are restored.

Energy drinks have however been found to have adverse effects especially coming from the ingredients used, excessive consumption of the drink or a combination with alcohol. Majority of energy drinks contain a combination of caffeine, Vitamin B and herbs which manufacturers use as emphasis on the source of energy; while calories are not mentioned as a source. Common stimulants added are ginseng (an Asian herb) which increases the effects of the caffeine and guarana (a Brazilian herb) which contains some double the percentage of caffeine found in coffee. Different combinations of all these together with the vitamins and other ingredients including carbonated water, glucose (high amounts of sugar) among others make different brands of energy drinks. The amount of caffeine is not usually indicated on the labels and it is difficult to measure how much one is taking in. Vitamin B is usually added to make the product look healthy and is needed to convert food into energy.

Below are some negative side effects of the drink:

* Addiction – they contain huge amounts of caffeine which is known to be addictive. This is especially with excessive consumption of the drink.
* Medical concern – energy drinks affect the heart beat and blood pressure and may especially affect those with related problems and under prescription drugs.
* Dehydration – Energy drinks have huge concentrations of chemicals that once taken may excrete water from the body system to dissolve the high concentrations of sugar, thus dehydrating the system.
* Energy drinks and alcohol mixing which causes depressant-stimulant effects that may be harmful to the body system.