Everybody believes that energy drinks are good for them. They think that energy drinks will help them stay awake and alert. Energy drinks will also help them lose weight. But are energy drinks good for you?
The answer is: it depends.
If you’re healthy and just consume energy drinks occasionally, they won’t damage your health. However, if you drink energy drinks on a daily basis or have a medical condition, energy drinks may be hazardous to your health.
What Are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks are beverages that contain caffeine, sugars, and other ingredients. Energy drinks can come in handy when you need an energy boost. However, energy drinks should not be your primary source of energy.
Energy drinks may provide a quick energy boost. However, the effect is usually temporary and may lead to feelings of anxiety and restlessness. In addition, energy drinks can cause dehydration, which can make you feel even more tired.
So, if you’re healthy and consume energy drinks occasionally, they won’t do much harm. However, energy drinks are not a good choice if you’re trying to lose weight or have a medical condition. Talk to your doctor before consuming energy drinks if you’re concerned about your health.
How Companies Make Energy Drinks?
Most energy drinks are made with caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant. Caffeine can improve alertness and energy levels. However, too much caffeine can cause side effects, including jitteriness, anxiety, and rapid heartbeat.
In addition to caffeine, energy drinks often contain other ingredients, such as:
sugar
vitamins
herbs
amino acids
Some energy drinks also contain alcohol. Alcohol energy drinks are particularly risky because they combine the effects of two substances that can impair your judgment and coordination.
Energy drinks are popular among young adults and adolescents. A survey found that 30 percent of adolescents consume energy drinks regularly.
Many believe energy drinks are safe because they’re available for purchase without a prescription. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate energy drinks. This means that energy drink companies don’t have to follow the same safety guidelines as other food and beverage corporations.
If ever, energy drinks should only be consumed in moderation. If you have a medical condition or are taking medication, talk to your doctor before consuming energy drinks. Children and adolescents should limit or cut their intake of energy drinks because their bodies are still developing.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers should also avoid energy drinks because it’s unclear how energy drinks may affect a developing fetus or infant.
Generally, when energy drinks are consumed in moderation, they are safe for most people. However, some risks are associated with energy drink consumption, especially when energy drinks are consumed regularly or in large amounts.
Can Energy Drinks Improve Brain Function?
Energy drinks can improve brain function in the short term. For example, energy drinks can improve alertness and reaction time. However, it’s unclear whether energy drinks have long-term benefits for brain function.
While some studies found that energy drink consumption was associated with improved performance on a test of cognitive function, other researchers found the opposite.
Overall, the research on energy drinks and brain function is mixed. More research is needed to determine whether energy drinks have long-term brain function benefits.
Do Energy Drinks Help You Lose Weight?
No, energy drinks will not help you lose weight. In fact, energy drinks can lead to weight gain.
Energy drinks are often high in calories, which can contribute to weight gain. So, energy drinks are probably not the best choice if you’re trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight.
How Do Energy Drinks Affect Your Immune System?
There is no evidence that energy drinks improve your immune system. In fact, energy drinks may have the opposite effect.
A survey of military personnel found that energy drink consumption was associated with a higher rate of sickness. Soldiers who consumed energy drinks were more likely to report colds, flu, and upper respiratory infections than soldiers who didn’t consume energy drinks.
It’s unclear why energy drinks may impair the immune system. One theory is that energy drinks can cause dehydration, making you more susceptible to illness. However, more research is needed to determine how energy drinks affect the immune system.
Conclusion: Should You Drink Energy Drinks Or Not?
Energy drinks have both benefits and drawbacks when it comes to your health. Energy drinks are unlikely to be harmful if consumed in moderation. However, some risks are associated with energy drink consumption, especially when energy drinks are consumed regularly or in large amounts.
Energy drinks can improve brain function only in the short term
Energy drinks can lead to weight gain if consumed regularly
Energy drinks may impair the immune system
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Author: Nora E., (MSc.) Biology and Nutrient Couch
Reviewed by: Dr. Jeoff Drobot