What Are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks are beverages that contain ingredients marketed to increase energy and mental performance. Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy, Monster, AMP, Rockstar, NOS, and Full Throttle are examples of popular energy drink products.
Nearly all energy drinks contain the ingredient caffeine to stimulate brain function and increase alertness and concentration. However, the amount of caffeine differs from product to product. This table shows the caffeine content of some popular energy drinks: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/vSH8PUNh
Turns out there’s a downside to feeling up.
So-called “energy drinks” are promoted as a way to supercharge your mind and body by improving your concentration and focus and making you more alert. And these beverage brands, like Red Bull®, 5-hour ENERGY®, Monster®, and Celsius®, continue to fly off the shelves. In 2023, Red Bull alone racked up sales of about 7.34 billion U.S. dollars.
But as they say, all that glitters isn’t gold. As popular as they are, the benefit claims of these mega caffeine-laden and sugar-fueled drinks may not be worth the boost. They can even pose some serious health risks if you’re not careful. So, before you knock one back, here’s what you should know, according to registered dietitian Amber Sommer, RD, LD.
Red Bull 8.4 oz (250 mils) 80mg
AMP 16 oz (473 mils) 142mg
Monster 16 oz (473 mils) 160 mg
Rockstar 16 oz (473 mil) 160 mg
NOS 16 oz (473 milss) 160 mg
Full Throttle 16 oz (473 mils) 160 mg
5-Hour Energy 1.93 oz (57 mils) 200 mg
Long-term Consumption Of Energy Drinks Induces Biochemical and Ultrastructural Alterations in the Heart Muscle
Our results showed a significant increase in the heart glucose and glycogen concentrations in the RB and RBE groups. Total cholesterol concentration significantly decreased in the RBE and RB groups. Total protein concentration and ALT and AST activities increased in all groups. The biochemical changes were accompanied by ultrastructural alterations. Based on these results, we recommend that athletes and active persons should avoid the long-term consumption of the Red Bull ED and, particularly, its combination with alcohol.
Based on these results, we recommend that athletes and active persons should avoid the long-term consumption of the Red Bull ED and, particularly, its combination with alcohol.
“As we are learning more about energy drinks, we are becoming much more aware of reports of patients who’ve experienced pretty serious side effects of energy drinks, in the form of stroke or even heart attack,” said Marc-Alain Babi, MD, neurocritical care specialist for Cleveland Clinic. “And part of it is contributed either to the patient underlying risk factor if the patient or individual has underlying cardiac or even prior stroke, but also probably related to the composition of the energy drink itself.” – Dr. Babi
Risks of Energy Drinks
(Trying to boost your performance with an energy drink can do more harm than good. )
Advertisements for energy drinks are plastered on the walls at sporting events and the jerseys of leading athletes. The beverage makers sponsor models, music events, and video games. Red Bull, the market’s leading drink, even has its television series and printed magazine. Makers of such drinks claim their elixirs will boost your immune system, enhance your performance, and help you feel energized.
No wonder 30 to 50 percent of adolescents and young adults say they buy energy drinks. According to a study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 8 percent of young people drink energy drinks weekly, 20 percent think that energy drinks are safe drinks for teenagers and 13 percent think that energy drinks are a type of sports drink. Marketed for young adults, sales of energy drinks and shots in the United States are expected to climb to $21 billion by 2017 from $12.5 billion in 2012, according to a report by market research company Packaged Facts.
But are they safe to drink for teenagers and young adults?
