When you need a little energy boost while staying awake to study for finals or to make that extra hour driving home most everyone reaches for one of many energy drinks on the market. But, just because it’s labled as an energy drink doesn’t mean it’s healthy for you. Energy drinks constitute big business these days. While Austrian-based Red Bull claims to own the lion’s share of the market, all signs point to that dominance changing in the near future. Monster, Adrenaline Rush, Venom and 5-Hour Energy are just a few of the estimated thousands of energy drink distributors worldwide, and they’re everywhere: in stores, schools, gyms and all manner of social environments.
Suffice it to say the popularity of these drinks is unquestionable; their health benefits is another story altogether. The big concern with the majority of energy drinks is their caffeine content: up to 80 mg of caffeine. According to Brown University, that’s more than twice the caffeine in a can of Mountain Dew and more than three times the caffeine in a can of Coca Cola Classic. Why is this important? Because too much caffeine can elevate the heart rate, increase blood pressure, and lead to insomnia (Some energy drink manufacturers have now come out with decaffeinated versions, although that hasn’t seemed to particularly impact the popularity of the caffeinated varieties.)
A recent study that investigated potential safety issues in energy drinks reveal that most energy drinks also contain some combination of natural products such as guarana, taurine and ginseng. Oh, and let’s not forget about sugar, one of the major ingredients in addition to caffeine. Average sugar content can exceed 35 grams per can, according to the study, published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. (Sugar-free versions of some energy drinks are now available, but remember, there are plenty of sugar-free sodas out there, and none of them are any good for you, either.)
Here’s perhaps the most telling point emphasized in the study: “The amounts of guarana, taurine, and ginseng found in popular energy drinks are far below the amounts expected to deliver either therapeutic benefits or adverse events. However, caffeine and sugar are present in amounts known to cause a variety of adverse health effects.”
Talk to your doctor about the dangers associated with sugar, caffeine and empty calories, and discuss ways to develop a balanced nutritional program to keep you and your family healthy.
Hello All,
5 Hour Energy drinks are intended to provide hours of alertness and focus, without the associated crash or jitters; experienced with most canned energy drinks.
In any application, it is recommend that consumers do not ingest more than two bottles per day. As well, be certain to administer the dosages responsibly; and several hours apart.
Best wishes.
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