Are Energy Drinks Really Safe?

You’ve seen them around – those flashy soft drinks that claim to boost your energy for hours, or give you a little pick-me-up when you’re feeling sluggish. Some even claim to aid in weight-loss. But what are the risks involved in drinking these “energy drinks”? And do they really have such great benefits? To answer those questions, it’s important to know which ingredients are in most of the energy drinks available. Let’s take a closer look . . .

Caffeine Fix
The alert feeling one gets after chugging down an energy drink is directly related to caffeine. In fact, some drinks have so much caffeine that a few countries have attempted to pass laws against them.

Caffeine, a somewhat addictive stimulant, can certainly cause a few problems. This is especially true for people who have, or are prone to, heart trouble. This is because caffeine increases heart rate and blood pressure. Caffeine can also cause the stomach to become unsettled. Because it is a diuretic, it can bring about a state of dehydration as well.

Guarana and Taurine
Guarana and taurine are two other ingredients commonly found in energy drinks. Guarana contains a substantial amount of caffeine, and adds to the overall caffeine content of any drink in which it is found. However, it is thought to be safe for normal consumption. Taurine is not known to cause any problems, either. It is even thought to help bring blood pressure down to acceptable levels.

Sugar High
Another ingredient that is cause for concern is sugar; there is far too much sugar in most energy drinks. Ironically, this can cause your blood sugar to spike and then drop, leaving you wiped out and exhausted (um, the opposite of “energized”). Of course, even if this doesn’t happen, it’s not good for your system to be loaded with sugar. Diabetics should definitely take note of the amount of sugar found in energy drinks.

Side Effects: Good and Bad
The high amounts of caffeine and other stimulants can certainly help you stay awake for a test or when driving. But they can also keep you wide-eyed when you need to be sleeping. A rapid or irregular heartbeat can also result. For some people, the pleasant feeling of being alert is more like a state of constant nerves, because stimulants actually cause the nervous system to kick out more adrenaline. If you’re looking for an energy boost that lasts awhile, this may not be a good solution. Energy drinks only last for a short period of time before the caffeine wears off. This is why many people drink too many energy drinks -- they have to keep taking the caffeine throughout the day.

Many of these energy drinks really can help you perform better at mental tasks, such as academic studies or tests. This is due to the increased alertness you will gain from the drinks. They also appear to help you regain energy (or keep it at a high level) as you do physical tasks. Even some athletes use energy drinks to give them an extra boost for workouts or in competitions.

Energy drinks can be helpful when used appropriately. They have helped many students keep awake so they could cram for tests. Sleepy drivers have taken advantage of the benefit of alertness, allowing them to drive safely to their destinations. If you decide to use energy drinks, just make sure you’re moderate in your consumption.