The danger of energy drinks

What is considered an energy drink?

Energy drinks are considered to be those non-alcoholic beverages containing sugar, caffeine, taurine, some type of vitamins and herbal extracts and which are often promoted as "stimulants and energizers".

It is important to differentiate them, since many times get confused, from sports drinks, designed for recovery after intense physical activity due to its contribution in mineral salts and sugar.

Problems in its composition

• Large amounts of simple sugar.
• Caffeine: a can contains approximately 300-400 mg depending on the commercial brand, equivalent to 3-4 cups of coffee or cola, being able to exceed the maximum recommended dose for adults and far exceeding the recommended dose for children.
• High concentrations of herbal extracts: There are very few studies determining its effects in humans.

Harmful effects in adults

A study carried out by experts from the University of Bonn, in Germany, indicates that energy drinks containing taurine and caffeine have a short-term effect on the contractility of the heart.

The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) is studying the connection of this type of drink with several deaths reported from their consumption, all deaths were caused by, although the relationship has not yet been established.

And in children ...

One of the main problems today is that these drinks are consumed by children and adolescents, sometimes without control, since they consider them mere soft drinks and neither they nor their parents are aware of the dangers they entail.

According to a study by the EFSA (Maximum European authority on Food) indicates that two out of 10 children consume energy drinks and points out some of the adverse effects that it can cause them:

• Mood disorder, low self-esteem, and depression
• Worsening school performance
• Poor quality of sleep
• Worsening asthma
• Obesity
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased hyperglycemia
• Drug interaction
• Bone and dental problems
• May worsen pre-existing heart conditions

For this reason, EFSA is clear in its recommendations: children under 12 should not try them under any circumstances, and clearly discourages its consumption in older children, since it is estimated that half of the consumption of this type of drink is carried out by the population between 12 and 25 years old and usually mixed with alcohol.

The combination of energy drinks and alcohol It can cause, both in adults and adolescents, undesirable effects such as cardiac disorders such as tachycardia, palpitations, increased blood pressure, lack of motor coordination ...

For any health-related questions, consult your doctor. and choose the one that best suits your needs.

• The main problem is the combination of taurine and caffeine that they contain, as they have negative effects on health, both in adults and children.
• The conclusions of various studies are clear: its consumption is unacceptable in children, and acceptable in adults not sensitive to caffeine, if it is moderate and sporadic and is not mixed with alcohol.
• It must be clear that this type of drink does not cover any essential need, and it can have significant risks.