JUST HOW BAD ARE ENERGY DRINKS FOR YOU? HEART ATTACK IS ONLY ONE RISK AMONG MANY
Red Bull gives you wings, but it can also give you a heart attack; at least, that's what is going around on social media.
Multiple users on Instagram have been posting warnings to alert consumers about the potential impacts of energy drinks.
In a video posted by Dr Kunal Sood, who has 1.2 million followers on IG, he explains the risks you might be subjecting your body to while consuming energy drinks. Health coach Vicky Nelson, with 95.7K Insta followers, also claims in one of her clips that having just one energy drink can narrow blood vessels within 90 minutes.
Another post on the platform makes the following claims:
- Monster Energy contains 98 per cent artificial flavours, taurine, and L-Carnitine. This drink can cause heart disease, obesity, and blood clots.
- Red Bull contains aspartame and can lead to diabetes, heart disease, and anxiety.
- Dunkin' iced coffee contains 40 gms of added sugar, 98 per cent artificial sweetener and flavour, and inorganic coffee. This drink can lead to weight gain, brain fog, kidney damage, and diabetes.
- Starbucks Double Shot Energy contains maltodextrin, dextrose, and syrups. This drink causes high blood pressure, cognitive inflammation, and artery inflammation.
Meanwhile, a study conducted in 2020 also states that sugar-sweetened beverages, including energy drinks, can increase the risk of high blood pressure in young people.
Many people often flaunt their energy drinks to look 'cool', believing they lead a superior lifestyle, but are these drinks a red flag? India Today reached out to a few experts to find out the same.Â
When you consume an energy drink...
"Several things happen in the body after the intake of an energy drink," says Dr Ekta Singhwal, M Sc dietitian, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals.
- Firstly, the caffeine content can lead to increased alertness and temporary improvement in cognitive function.
- The sugar and other stimulants can provide a quick burst of energy.
- However, the body may also experience increased heart rate and blood pressure due to stimulants like caffeine and taurine.
Mumbai-based senior physician and critical care specialist Dr Roohi Pirzada explains, "When the caffeine peaks in the blood levels, it stimulates the nervous system and makes a person more alert, increases concentration, and elevates the mood."
Adding to this, Mumbai-based senior interventional cardiologist Dr Kaushal Chhatrapati says, "Energy drinks also cause heart attack, commonly known as myocardial infarctions, and are linked to many of the so-called gym deaths when a person dies while exercising because what happens is energy drink increases the confidence and the strength of the person to exercise even more vigorously than what they intend to do."
"At the same time, because of the toxic chemicals like taurine and ephedrine and high quantities of caffeine, they are actually deleterious to the heart, and you may actually see a myocardial infarction or a heart attack while exercising," he adds.
There is no good here
Dr Chhatrapati shares, "Energy drinks contain toxic chemicals like a high quantity of caffeine, as much as 150 mg, and taurine. They also have very high concentrations of sugar and some energy drinks also contain ephedrine. All of them are very harmful to health."
- Consuming energy drinks may cause irritability, nervousness, increased heartbeats, and various heart arrhythmias.
- They can also cause dehydration.
- When consumed daily, energy drinks can also cause sleeplessness.
As per the doctor, such drinks do not boost athletic performance, unlike it is commonly perceived.
He says, "They are a marketing fad and should be stayed away from. As it is, cold drinks are bad enough, but energy drinks take that badness to an entirely new level."
Agreeing with this, Dr Singhwal mentions that long-term excessive consumption of energy drinks can contribute to issues like obesity, Type 2 diabetes, dental problems, and even cardiac events.
Dr Pirzada further mentions that energy drinks also contain methylxanthines, ginseng, ginkgo, Vitamins B2 and B3 along with a few antioxidants.
She adds that insomnia related to energy drinks is higher, especially when caffeine goes above 200 mg levels, and it can take up to nine days to wash off from the body in some extreme cases.
Protect your heart
Experts believe that energy drinks have been associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, especially in individuals with underlying heart conditions or those who consume them excessively.
While there hasn't been a specific rise in the number of energy drink-related heart attacks, there is growing concern among health professionals about their potential cardiovascular effects.
On social media claims
Dr Singhwal states, "Claims about specific energy drinks causing various health issues should be approached with caution. While individual ingredients in these drinks, such as caffeine or sugar, can contribute to health problems when consumed excessively, it's important to consider the overall diet and lifestyle factors."
She adds, "However, moderation is key, and excessive consumption of any energy drink, including Monster, Red Bull, or Starbucks Double Shot Energy, should be avoided."
If you still want to consume energy drinks
- You should keep in mind your caffeine intake from other sources and be aware of their tolerance levels.
- Those with underlying heart conditions, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, or caffeine sensitivity should avoid or limit their consumption.
- Pregnant women, children, and adolescents should also be cautious and consult with healthcare professionals before consuming energy drinks.
- Overall, focusing on a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and getting sufficient rest and exercise is crucial for maintaining optimal health and energy levels without relying on energy drinks.