Energy Drinks...Rev You Up, But Can Bring Your Health Down

From weekend warriors to hard core athletes, energy drinks have woven themselves into the fabric of high performance sports and activities, although not without some ramifications to the users health.

Researchers found that users of these hugely popular energy drinks faced potential health risks by using such products as they can seriously dehydrate users due to their high amounts of caffeine.
Researchers from the University of Texas Medical School, Houston also warned that users who mixed drinks with alcohol also faced increased heart rates and blood pressure and mental problems. 

The study, reported in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, adds weight to previous research that found such energy drinks can affect a person's health such as heart attacks and seizures and in some extreme circumstances lead to death. 

"What we know is that a typical energy drink can have as much as a quarter cup of sugar, and more caffeine than a strong cup of coffee," said John Higgins, who led the study. 

"The possibility of dehydration and increased blood pressure make water or lower-octane sports drinks, which contain electrolytes, some minerals and carbohydrates, a better choice." 
 
The researchers reviewed medical literature on energy drinks and their ingredients between 1976 and 2010. 

They found that the caffeine content of energy drinks ranged from 70 to 200 mg per 16-oz serving. By comparison, an 8-oz cup of coffee could contain between 40 to 150 mg of caffeine. 

They warned that some ingredients not mentioned on the labels such as herbal stimulant guarana, the amino acid taurine, might produce adverse affects with caffeine. 

Dr Higgins said that by not publishing ingredients added to the problem. 

"Manufacturers can put whatever in them, advertise however and people consume however. Whenever you have a situation like this, you are going to run into problems," he said.


Non-athletes should drink no more than one a day, never mix them with alcohol, and drink lots of water after exercising. 

People with hypertension should never drink them, and people with health conditions such as heart disease should consult their doctors before using the drinks, he said. 

"Manufacturers can put whatever in them, advertise however and people consume however. Whenever you have a situation like this, you are going to run into problems," he said.