We all know that energy drinks are the quickest way to energy boosts. But, according to the latest study, these drinks may not be as safe as we thought. Energy drinks seem to affect the heart health. So, should you be worried?
According to the research from 2013, presented by the American Heart Association in New Orleans, drinking up to three energy drinks per day can increase your blood pressure and alter your heart rhythm.
However, if you drink more than that, in some severe cases, these drinks can cause an irregular heartbeat or a sudden heart attack.
Moreover, in seven other studies, where people from the age of 18 to 45 participated, those who consumed a lot of energy drinks had a 4% chance to experience a change in their heart rhythm. Even though these changes seem small, they can still affect the health.
Drinking Energy Drinks
According to Gordon F. Tomaselli, a spokesperson for AHA, the people who have heart conditions or a family history of heart problems, should avoid consuming energy drinks. But, is it the same for healthy people?
The answer is no.
Healthy people don’t have to avoid drinking energy drinks. However, they should drink them in moderation. Therefore, if you believe or know you have heart conditions, stay away from these drinks. Also, in some exceptionally rare cases, these bad reactions can happen:
- feeling anxious
- extended dizziness
- racing heart
- jumping or skipping a heartbeat
- feeling jittery
Energy Drinks and Blood Pressure
The caffeine in the energy drinks can do much more than pump up the nervous system. It can also raise the heart rate and blood pressure.
Therefore, it can prove risky for people with diabetes. As a result, people with diabetes and heart disease, should definitely avoid these energy drinks, says a cardiologist at University of North Carolina Health Care, Kevin R. Campbell, MD.
People who have these conditions shouldn’t consume that much caffeine since it can increase the risk of stroke or heart attack. As a result, it causes some potentially life-threatening heart disorders. Furthermore, energy drinks contain taurine.
This ingredient, or chemical, can overload the heart with an excessive amount of calcium. This can cause a cardiac arrest, irregular heartbeat, or in some extremely severe cases, sudden cardiac death.
Energy Drinks and Alcohol
According to a survey, 30% of school students consume energy drinks often combined with illicit drugs or alcohol. This trend of combining the drinks with shots filled with alcohol can immensely increase the risk of developing serious heart problems.
In addition, this can result in an increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Furthermore, when they consume alcohol, their body loses water and increases the risk of dehydration. Also, there are some rare cases where alcohol can be immensely toxic and result in heart failure, says T. Jared Bunch, a cardiologist at Intermountain Medical Center.
These rare side-effects can be lethal. Excessive drinking leads to 88,000 deaths per year in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A Better Alternative
Sports drinks like Vitamin Water, Powerade, and Gatorade, can be an effective way to provide your body with an energy boost. Not only do they contain caffeine, but they can also replace the magnesium, potassium, and sodium lost during exercises.
Therefore, sports drinks can have some amazing benefits and be a great source of energy for the body. But, the best natural alternative for replenishing your energy is drinking coffee.
Final Thoughts
Energy drinks contain plenty of carbonation and sugars. Also, the main ingredients in Red Bull, for example, are taurine, caffeine, and several Vitamins B. Even though these ingredients don’t cause any side effects to an average healthy person, they can still be dangerous for some people.
Therefore, you should consider the ingredients before you decide on consuming these energy drinks. Also, if you are healthy, try to consume energy drinks in moderation. But, if you need a better energy boost, you should try a different alternative.
Try drinking coffee, which is a natural energy booster, or sports drinks. They can both prove useful.
What do you think? Do you drink a lot of energy drinks? Tell us your thoughts and leave us a comment. If you liked this post, share it with friends and family.
