Energy Drink Side Effects

Energy Drink Side Effects

There is an ongoing debate filling the various media about the potential harmfulness of energy drinks. The story so far is a point and counter-point contest between the medical establishments and the makers and sellers of these energy products.

The good news is that consumption of energy drinks in moderation is safe and harmless for the vast, vast, majority of people. In addition there are no immediate short term risks associated with energy drinks consumption. The bad news is that the long term effects have not been studied enough to present a comprehensive conclusion one way or the other.

Other potential risk factors besides caffeine

All of the drinks on the market are required to print a list of ingredients on the label including the amount of caffeine. The first thing a user should do before consumption is read the label to become aware of any ingredients that would be harmful to any pre-existing conditions. These include; irregular heartbeat, allergies, stomach problems, and asthma or breathing difficulties. Normally, people with these conditions steer clear of caffeine or other stimulants, However, this may not be evident in a younger person or child that has not been diagnosed and parental care should be taken.

Caffeine Overdose Symptoms

Caffeine is the major leading cause of most energy drink side effects which appear in the average, healthy, person when more than 250-300 mg is ingested. It should be noted that these symptoms will appear. Here are the most common symptoms of caffeine overdose:

• jitters, nervousness, and a faster heartbeat

• high blood pressure, dizziness, difficulty breathing

• upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea

• headache and trouble sleeping

• breast shrinkage in women

• allergic reaction like rash, hives, or itching

• withdrawal symptoms upon cessation

• cardiac arrest

Other energy drink side effects

Because there are a number of ingredients in energy drinks, caffeine is not the only possibly harmful substance. Below is a table with a list of the most common ingredients and possible side effects.

Ingredients————————Possible Side Effects

B-Vitamins—-Too much B3 or B6 can cause a burning sensation or flushing of the skin.

Ginseng————————Insomnia, tachycardia, headache.

Taurine————————-No side effect evidence to date.

Inositol————————-Diarrhea if too much is consumed.

L-Theanine———-Green tea extract may cause light-headedness with high doses.

L-Carnitine—————-Vomiting, headache, trouble breathing, insomnia.

Ginkgo Biloba–Dizziness, palpitations, possible interaction with blood thinners and other medications.

Sugar—————————–Tooth decay, obesity, diabetes.

Artificial Sweeteners——–No evidence of side effects to date.

Glucuronolactone——————No side effects reported.

In conclusion, it’s obvious that there is very little danger associated with the consumption of energy drinks, especially when they are consumed in moderation by healthy individuals.

EDWARD ROSENBERG