“Beat that 2:30 feeling”, “Instant energy for 5 hours”, “no crash- guaranteed”, “work out harder than ever before”. Such are promised to energy drink consumers by their prospective companies, and what’s not to love? Having enough energy to pump out reps at the gym like a frat bro and getting through my 8 am classes without dozing off would certainly be a plus. They’re just like coffee right? Every adult I know enjoys a morning cup of Joe without side effects, so what exactly is it that’s given energy drinks such a bad rap?
First of all, no energy drink that is currently on the market is anything like coffee whatsoever. Energy drinks are much more complex than ground coffee beans and water. Energy drinks go far beyond your typical cup of tea adding more stimulants than just caffeine. Ever read the nutrition label on a Red Bull? The ingredients are unrecognizable derivatives of various herbs, vitamins and amino acids to give you that extra “umph” of energy. Even with these added stimulants, most energy drinks have double or triple the amount of your typical caffeinated beverages.
In addition, the serving size of these energy drinks is far from normal. Think about it. You’re packing a huge amount of caffeine into a tiny package.You’re probably not slowly sipping these drinks like you would a cup of coffee or tea either. Some drinks (like 5-hour energy) can even be taken in 1 big gulp! That’s a pretty powerful caffeine-punch!
Soda- a drink regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is limited to containing a maximum of 65 mg of caffeine to 12 ounces of fizzy pop. Energy drinks are not regulated by the FDA. Meaning that they can pretty much put anything in that can, call it an “energy drink” and get away with it.
Most energy drinks contain ingredients made from herbs- also not regulated by the FDA. Some of these common ingredients in energy drinks can include guarana, taurine, ginseng, L-carnitine, inositol, choline, and sugars. Lots of drinks also add creatine, gingko biloba, milk thistle, and vitamins, in excessive amounts, B vitamins. Besides the vitamins and sugar, none of these ingredients have daily recommended values (found at the bottom of your nutrition label). This means that they have not been deemed safe for human consumption.
So what’s so bad about these ingredients? Herbs are natural and put in my food at the dining hall for flavor! Simple answer: We’re not talkin’ basil anymore kids. The herbs that energy drinks are using aren’t what you would find in your Grandma’s herb garden, and even if you could find them there, you’d need a football field sized garden to equal the large amount they’re adding to your Red Bulls!
Caffeine- A huge part of what makes up an energy drink. Known for increasing physical energy caffeine is found in HUGE doses in energy drinks. Doses so high that after drinking you may experience increased heart rate, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting and chest pains.
B-Vitamins- Vitamins and minerals are an essential part of any diet and B Vitamins boast that they can be the end to headaches, irritability, nervousness and fatigue. B Vites are also found in huge amounts in energy drinks and even though they’re a harmless vitamin, they can cause serious side effects when consumed in such large amounts. Numbness, tingling in the limbs and insomnia.
Creatine- Commonly used for muscle building, creatine is a controversial ingredient since it has been known to severely dehydrate the body, throwing off electrolyte balance and leading to muscle cramps.
What’s the worst that could happen?
Heart damage is known to result from a high caffeine intake.
Putting Taurine and Caffeine together into one drink has proved to show both an increase in blood pressure and a dangerously low heart rate
Many cases of seizures have been reported as a result of energy drink consumption in addition, reported seizures had stopped after energy drink consumption ceased.
Next time you’re about to purchase a Red Bull at the library before a late night study session, reconsider. In my opinion, the symptoms that can result from consumption are far from worth it. Opt for a coffee or a cup of tea or maybe even an earlier bed time.