Walk down any supermarket drink aisle and you'll see a huge section filled with a variety of energy drinks. These drinks didn't exist a few years ago, but because of their advertising campaigns featuring various sports icons, the youth of this country have decided these drinks are something they must have. A few years ago it was water and flavored water that flooded the drink section of the market. Then it was tea of every imaginable type. Now it is energy drinks. Here's a bit of information on what they really are, so you can decide for yourself if they're something you want to drink or want your children to consume.
Energy drinks are a type of soft drinks that are enhanced using certain substances that help the person retain their energy level. Energy drinks actually enhance the physical performance and energy level of a person as it directly affects mental alertness. Initially the energy drinks were consumed by athletes in order to perform better when their bodies were tired. But today there is a huge craze of various energy drinks amongst school kids as young as 12 years of age.
Energy drinks generally contain caffein (methylxanthine), vitamin B and several other herbs mixed with carbonated water and sugar. Caffeine is obtained by adding several substances like guarana, ginkgo, biloba, ginseng, carnitine, and acai. These ingredients create several psychological as well as physical effects on the human body. Energy drinks can increase the cognitive activities of a person and also create a moderate amount of euphoria. Danger of energy drinks are observed when there is a large intake.
Excessive intake of energy drinks cause many problems, some of which are quite severe. They are primarily manufactured for extreme sports.
Energy drinks bear a higher percentage of caffeine than other cafeine sources like coffee and tea. They even contain more caffein than other soft drinks. Some of the side effects of energy drinks due to caffeine are insomnia, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, infertility, heart disease and ulsers.
Mixing energy drinks and alcohol is not recommended. Along with all the effects of alcohol in the human body, such as dehydration, fatigue, feeling of impairment, vomiting and respiratory depression are observed as side effects of energy drinks mixed with alcohol.
As with any other drink, moderation is the key. These drinks are not meant to replace a good night's sleep and proper training for athletes. You are the one who must decide whether these drinks are right for you. As an occasional pick me up, they're probably fine, but as a regular addition to your diet, please think again.
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