How do enery drinks risk your health?

“Energy drinks represent a multibillion dollar industry that is growing
every day. While teenagers and young adults have traditionally been the
largest consumers, in recent years more people of all demographics
have begun consuming energy drinks“ (RSNA, 2013)
Considering how dangerous energy drinks are, it is important to learn
more about the side effects. Firstly, energy drinks are not as safe as
sports drinks or coffee. A regular consumption can promote a lot of side
effects, but consumers often don’t know this. Therefore, consumers of
Monster have reported the following alleged side effects: Cardiac
arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), Kidney failure, Heart attack, Heart
failure and at worst death.
According to an editorial published last year in the Journal of the
American Medical Association, a study conducted by The Mayo Clinic
found that a 240-mg version of Rockstar Energy Drink caused an
increase in stress hormone release. Especially as combining alcohol and
energy drinks can be very dangerous because the mixture keeps people
awake for a longer period of time, allowing them to consume more
alcohol than they ordinarily would.
A study of roughly 1,100 college students in 2011 found those people
whose consumption of energy drinks were very high, have an increased
risk for alcohol dependence compared to those who did not consume
energy drinks. This could be due to the fact that people drink energy
drinks to recover from a hangover. This has been pointed out by the
results from the study analysis of the JAMA.
According to self-report surveys, energy drinks are consumed by 30% to
50% of adolescents and young adults. Obviously young people are the
target group of the product even though Monster and similar energy
drinks can have dangerous effects on younger populations.
In conclusion, Energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit, and many
ingredients are understudied and not regulated. In the short-term, health
professionals should inform society about the possible effects of energy
drinks.

Vivien Ostrowski (HSG 15/BKO)