Energy Drinks - 3 Reasons Why You Should Avoid These Drinks


by Daniel Clay - Date: 2010-07-13 - Word Count: 641 Share This!

Most attractive things come with strings attached and the Energy drink segment is not an exemption to this fact. The energy drinks which are believed to provide instant energy on the go actually cause more dangers to your body than the good they do. The effects of energy drinks are enormous starting with the problem of addiction to several internal problems in our body extending its arms even on to the cardiovascular and the Central nervous system.

Listed below are the major downsides of energy drinks clearly stating the reasons to avoid those lucrative bottles of mild poison.

High Caffeine Content:

The major risk factor in consuming energy drinks is their very high caffeine content. Increased caffeine intake results in serious health hazards like elevated Blood Glucose, elevated blood pressure, decreased bone density and nervous system malfunctions. Stress is a major matter of concern and researches have proved that caffeine intake escalates stress levels and plays a major role in exaggerating stress response.

Some of the leading energy drink brands in the market are found to have somewhere between 80 - 100 mg of caffeine per can. This can turn around to be extremely hazardous if you are a regular consumer as caffeine is a urinary stimulant and causes excessive dehydration.

Presence of Unwanted Ingredients:

These lucrative cans contain certain unnecessary, futile ingredients which cause nothing but health hazards. The most prominent ingredients in the energy drinks are guarana and taurine. Both of these contain no nutritional value and are neither beneficial. But they are included as they boost the effects of caffeine and provide that instant kick.

Unfortunately guarana and taurine when taken on a regular basis are known to cause several disorders in the human body metabolism. Guarana is a plant derivative taurine is a type of basic amino acid.

Guarana is found to directly attack the Central Nervous system. It is also reported to cause damage to some of the brain cell receptors which results in inefficiency in the sensory nervous system. Taurine does not cause any ill effect on the body directly, but we already consume taurine beyond limit because all vitamin B products have excessive amounts of taurine. All energy drinks have huge amounts of taurine and hence the excess amount acts as poison to our body. This has been reported to have even caused severe birth defects in pregnant women.

Another ingredient most commonly found in energy drinks is ginseng. It is not harmful yet it results in allergies and reactions in some people under medication. Moreover since it is not authorized by the food regulatory authorities, the quality of the ginseng used is under question.

The presence of the above mentioned nutrient - less ingredients also causes tooth enamel erosion and pH imbalance in the mouth. The pH imbalance is due to the presence of ingredients such as sodium citrate, certain sugars and acids.

The Problem of Addiction

Addiction to energy drinks is equally bad as any other addictions like drinking or smoking. A recent survey in the United States reveals that, 69 percentage of energy drink consumers are addicted to them and drink it on a regular basis out of the craving for it. People who are addicted to this habit on an average consume a minimum of one can per day, which literally means 80 - 100 mg of caffeine and other unwanted ingredients such as guarana, taurine enter their body each day.

It is impossible to completely quit consuming energy drinks, but it is very much possible to limit their consumption by switching to alternatives like fresh juice or canned fruit juices which are equally high on nutrition and taste. If you want any first hand information on the effects of energy drinks inquire a nutritionist or if a nutritionist is out of reach then contact your personal trainer at your gym as they may have tried them and may be able to provide some valuable information.


Dan Clay is a fitness specialist, personal trainer and owner of Dangerously Fit Personal Training. If you would like to book a Personal Trainer Maroubra, or register for a free Personal Trainer Sydney consultation, then visit Personal Trainer Bronte.n
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