The next time you're feeling sluggish, think before you chug down an energy drink. You might be safer reviving yourself with a piece of fruit or a splash of cold water. Energy drinks - unlike sports drinks - may be hazardous to your health. (Most sports drinks don't contain ingredients designed to boost energy and alertness.)
Energy drinks can raise both blood pressure and heart rate. Researchers think the increases are not so high to make the occasional energy drink harmful to healthy people. But drinking one, even once in a while, could be dangerous if you have high blood pressure, an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) or other heart disease. These drinks may also interfere with the effectiveness of blood pressure medications. And when consumed frequently, they may pose a risk even to people without heart or blood pressure problems. These drinks are not suitable for pregnant women or children.
Two ingredients found in energy drinks are mainly responsible for the boost in heart rate and blood pressure: caffeine and taurine.
- Caffeine. Energy drinks vary in the amount of caffeine they contain. Some have a caffeine content equivalent to one or two cups of coffee, but others contain much more.
- Taurine. This is the other culprit found in energy drinks. It is an amino acid that also raises heart rate and blood pressure levels.
Many energy drinks also contain herbal stimulants like ginseng, ephedra or guarana. These can intensify the effect of caffeine. The drinks often also contain a large dose of sugar.
Energy drinks and athletics
People who down energy drinks as performance-boosters before exercising or playing sports may be putting their hearts in danger as well. The drink may further increase blood pressure and heart rate already peaked by activity. At the same time, it may reduce blood supply to the heart. This is especially dangerous for people with clogged arteries.
What's more, caffeine is dehydrating. That makes this an especially poor choice for use during athletics.
Alcohol and energy drinks: a dangerous combination
Mixing energy drinks with alcohol can be especially dangerous.
Some experts are concerned about the common practice of mixing energy drinks with alcohol. That can lead to the potential for a dangerously rapid heart beat and even a heart attack. Further, the stimulant masks how intoxicated you are.
Energy drinks are marketed mainly to college-age students. Because the drinks are made of "natural" ingredients, they are regulated as a food, not a drug, by the Food and Drug Administration. Many young people who consume them are not aware of their potentially harmful effects. Several countries have reported deaths linked to energy drinks. Canada and some European countries have banned some or all of them.
The bottom line
Energy drinks may not be worth the risk, especially for those with high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms or other heart problems. There are healthier alternatives to boost your energy and stamina.
- Take a brisk walk.
- Get some fresh air.
- Take a refreshing shower.
- Have a healthy snack.
