Energy drinks
Do we know what our teens drink?
Do we really know what energy drinks are?
blank
Energy drinks, also known as energizers or stimulants, have more or less anti-fatigue qualities due to caffeine and other revitalizing ingredients such as taurine, vitamins, minerals, additives, flavorings and a large amount of sugar.
The consumption of these ‘concoctions’, which have always been associated with sporting challenges -thanks, above all, to Red Bull-, is becoming more and more frequent among adolescents, who take them regularly to concentrate before an exam, perform better in the gym or to avoid falling asleep on a study night.
blank
Especially the latter is a habit totally discouraged by health experts since these drinks have a quantity of caffeine that can be harmful to the health of young people. Caffeine is a stimulant of the central nervous system; therefore, in moderate doses, it increases alertness and reduces drowsiness. However, there are some energy drinks that, in addition to caffeine, incorporate B vitamins, amino acids and substances to which energizing or revitalizing effects are attributed, such as ginseng, taurine, guarana or glucuronolactone.
Depending on the size, and the brand in question, the amount of caffeine that energy drinks contain can include ranges from 70 to 145 mg per can. These types of drinks would be counterproductive for the health of a young person or during their puberty.
Short-term side effects of excess caffeine can include disrupted sleep, anxiety, and changes in behaviour. In the long term, excessive caffeine consumption has been linked to cardiovascular problems.
While these effects are also bad for adults, they are more accentuated in adolescents or young persons because the latter are especially vulnerable to the harmful impact of caffeine in the cardiovascular and neurological system, producing low self-esteem, depression, nervousness, anxiety, concentration problems, insomnia, worsening of school performance, or increased tension.
Dangers of Energy Drinks
The main risk is the excessive content of caffeine and caloric quantity, which according to the experts, exceeds the portion that is offered in a regular soda drink. Consuming caffeine stimulates the central nervous system quickly and can cause headaches in the long run. Caffeine could cause irritability, poor concentration, mood swings, aggressiveness, anxiety or panic attacks. High intake can cause tremors or arrhythmias and disorders in the absorption of liquids and fluids, which would modify the intestinal process.
Other of its components, such as carbohydrates and proteins, can be harmful if the body detects an overdose of them.
In other cases, manufacturers label “natural” what are actually drinks with powerful diuretics, which could cause muscle discomfort and even some heart problems. At the same time, other substances such as ginseng, taurine, ephedrine, guanine and arginine, can, in certain combinations, be damaging to certain organs.
Experts warn that mixing energy with alcohol could pose a real health hazard. The stimulants in these drinks counteract the symptoms of alcohol, which is harmful for the consumer, because they are not aware of their progressive alcohol poisoning and continue drinking.
Long-term intake of alcohol and energy drinks can cause pathologies such as cirrhosis, hepatitis or tumors, since the body drinks more alcohol than it can bear.
As in the case of alcohol, mixing this liquid with drugs such as cocaine or marijuana can dramatically increase cardiovascular risks.
If the subject really worries or interests you, please take the time (only 9 minutes) to watch this video by Dr Michael Greger with the largest scientific compilation in the world on these drinks. Personally, I believe that it is an issue that today should be of great concern for all who have teenagers; we ought to be able to inform them with affection of the risks involved in consuming these drinks.
blank
Eating and drinking healthy is a way of respecting oneself; as a community we should teach this to our children.
blank
Marijo Murillo
Naturopath-Nutritionist
