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What are the Health Effects of Energy Drinks?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 08:00:57 +0000

Dr. Nicola Williams, Ph.D. via News-Medical – Concerns about the negative impact of energy drinks (ED’s) have arisen in recent years both in the scientific community and among the public. The risks posed to health by the consumption of ED’s are primarily related to their high caffeine content. ED’s have proven to be especially popular amongst children, adolescents, and young adults and aggressive marketing has led to an exponential growth in sales. This article takes a closer look at ED’s and their potentially harmful effects. What Are Energy Drinks? There is no standard definition for “energy drinks” or ED’s for short. But they are characterized as highly sweetened, caffeinated, and non-alcoholic. These beverages are stimulating in effect, given they contain very high levels of caffeine ––which can typically be around 80mg per serving. ED’s are not only made to taste good, but they are well-known to enhance energy levels, physical alertness, and performance. They also pose the risk of caffeine intoxication. Besides caffeine, ED’s typically comprise the highly active ingredients of taurine, guarana, ginseng, L-carnitine and glucuronolactone, and sweeteners. These act as stimulants. They also function as a mood elevator when mixed with alcohol. The demand for and consumption of ED’s has markedly increased in recent years and has resulted in a multi-million-dollar international market. The most popular brands are Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, and 5-hour energy drink, though there are around 300 varieties of ED on the international market. Who Consumes ED’s? The target market for energy drinks is people of all ages, excluding those under the age of 16, for example, in the UK. The drinks have been promoted on the health market and have been aimed at specific groups such as athletes and college or university students. Even so, the drinks do not provide sufficient levels of rehydration or restoration of electrolytes in relation to sporting activity, though they do enhance energy. In this, they are a class apart from sports drinks, though the two are frequently confused with one another. For university students, the appeal of these drinks is to improve performance, concentration, and endurance. They are frequently used to prohibit sleep during periods of intense study, for example in preparation for tests and examinations. This relatively new kind of beverage was first launched in Japan in 1960, introduced into Europe in 1987, and in the USA in 1997. ED’s have proven popular in the Indian market where they are sold as energy shots and dietary supplements as well as in their standard drink form. ED’s have become increasingly popular amongst adolescents, in part a result of youth-targeted marketing. Advertising campaigns include the sponsorship of events that appeal to this age group (e.g., snowboarding) and product placement in video games and social media. Components of Energy Drinks ––What Are They? Caffeine ––an alkaloid as well as being a stimulant provides a pleasant taste Taurine ––stimulates the central nervous system Guarana ––a South African herb contains theobromine, theophylline, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and boasts twice the concentration of caffeine in comparison to coffee beans. It’s used for enhancing energy levels and it causes an increase in mood-enhancing neurotransmitters such as dopamine Ginseng enhances memory L-carnitine is sometimes also used to increase energy and to speed up the metabolic rate Glucuronolactone is a naturally occurring metabolite made from glucose and is sometimes added to alleviate fatigue and promote well-being Sugar or sweeteners, such as aspartame and acesulfame potassium Health Hazards The ingestion of ED’s over time can lead to negative effects, for example, behavioral changes. Certain ingredients should only be ingested in moderation. For example, caffeine and ginseng. The high amount of caffeine in ED’s has a diuretic effect on the body leading to the loss of fluid in the form of urine. Caffeine intoxication causes nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, convulsions, and psychosis which in some circumstances can prove lethal. Ginseng or Panax Ginseng, (also sometimes used), when consumed excessively can lead to vaginal bleeding, diarrhea, severe headache, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) ––a rare and serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. Internationally, regulatory bodies have imposed policies regarding the composition, labeling, distribution, and sale of ED’s. The appeal ED’s for young people and adolescents has been of particular concern. So far little research has been done on the associations between ED consumption and the initiation of other drug use ––for example, tobacco and alcohol. In 2019 the UK government, for example, came under pressure to ban the sale of ED’s to children, leading to major supermarkets calling time on selling ED’s to those under the age of 16. The drinks contain an advisory note stating that they are ‘not recommended for children.’ The market varies, with other countries deeming the drinks to be unsuitable to those under 18, for example in Latvia and Lithuania. In terms of regular caffeine consumption, The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) gives a safety level of 3 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of body weight per day for children and adolescents. But the average ED comes in a 250 ml can and, with around 80mg of caffeine per serving, easily contains the equivalent caffeine content of three cans of cola or a strongly brewed cup of coffee. On top of this, non-diet versions also contain more than twice the sugar and calories of the average soft drink. Numerous case studies are confirming the adverse health effects posed by ED’s including actual recorded instances of lethality. More research is yet needed into ED’s, the worrying uptake by young people, and the public health risks they essentially pose. References: Arthur, R. (2019). UK ban’s sale of energy drinks to U16s [Online] Beverage Daily.com. Available at: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2019/07/23/UK-government-bans-sale-of-energy-drinks-to-U16s Breda, J. et al. (2014) Energy drink consumption in Europe: a review of the risks, adverse health effects, and policy options to respond. Frontiers in Public Health.DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2014.00134 Kaur, J. et al. (2019) Energy drinks: health effects and consumer safety. Nutrition and Food Science. DOI: 10.1108/NFS-11-2018-0331 Galimov, A. (2020) Association of energy drink consumption with substance-use initiation among adolescents: A 12-month longitudinal study. Journal of Psychopharmacology. DOI: 10.1177/0269881119895545 To read the original article click here.

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Caffeine Protects Your Heart

AHA Publisher — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 08:00:30 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – You might be surprised to learn that the caffeine in your morning cup of coffee is especially good for your heart. As a matter of fact, new research shows it can transform old hearts into younger hearts.1 Researchers from Germany showed that caffeine can improve heart function in older adults in just 10 days. Caffeine works deep down at the cellular level to protect and repair the heart muscle. The researchers found that mitochondria in the heart need a protein called p27. You know by now that mitochondria are the tiny power plants that fuel every cell in your body. They turn nutrients into fuel. Each of your heart muscle cells has 5,000 of these energy generators. They keep your heart strong, young and energetic. When the caffeine moved the p27 protein into the mitochondria, it protected heart muscle cells from death and damage. It helped repair the heart muscle after a heart attack. And it improved the function of endothelial cells that line the interior of blood vessels. All of this helps explain why population studies find that older people with a coffee habit have a reduced risk of death from heart disease.2 One study from Brazil found that people drinking just three cups of coffee a day reduced calcification or hardening of their coronary artery by an amazing 67%!3 Other studies link coffee drinking with lower death rates from type 2 diabetes, respiratory disease and stroke. Coffee can also slash the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s by 65%.4 These are powerful studies, but still I don’t drink coffee very much anymore. I found a better natural source of caffeine… I was trekking through the Amazon rainforest visiting the Guarani tribe. They introduced me to an ancient herb called guarana. They use it to fight fatigue and maximize physical endurance. And it really worked for me. We were on a grueling 18-hour trek through the jungle. But the whole time my mind was crystal clear. And I never felt worn out. When I returned from my visit with the Guarani, I analyzed the guarana seeds I brought home. I found they’re rich in a substance called guaranine. It’s very similar to caffeine but with one big difference. Guaranine’s caffeine is bound together with healthy fatty acids. You get a gradual release of caffeine with no crash and no coffee jitters. And the energy effect lasts all day. I prefer the effects of guarana. It wakes me up better than a cup of coffee. And I still get all the same caffeine perks. It sharpens my focus, and helps me maintain clear, reliable memory. Guarana also has powerful antioxidant effects. In a study published in the journal Food and Function, researchers from the University of São Paolo found that guarana seeds contained antioxidant levels more than 10 times those of green tea.5 Get an Ancient Caffeine Fix for a Healthy Heart Boost Guarana berries are too bitter to eat. But the Guarani tribesmen showed me how to make an extract from the seeds. They dissolved it in liquid to make an energy drink. And all over Brazil I saw locals creating their own energy shots by adding guarana extract to sweetened or carbonated soft drinks. Vendors even sell these energy shots at kiosks on city streets. You’ve probably noticed guarana advertised extensively on the Internet. It’s become a superstar. It’s in products for weight loss, athletic performance and energy. But beware… Some unethical manufacturers list this herb on the label. But they’ve really just added a lot of chemical caffeine. That’s what gives you the jitters. Only buy guarana from providers you know and trust. Here are the two easy ways to enjoy guarana: • Drink an energy-boosting tea. Tea Haven sells whole guarana seeds online. They also blend guarana tea with black, green, oolong or rooibos teas for a nicer flavor. You can enjoy 1 to 3 cups of the tea a day as long as you’re not sensitive to caffeine. • Make your own all-natural energy drink. You can also find guarana powder in health food stores and online. Since the powder is bitter, it’s best to mix it into a sweet citrus drink with a strong flavor. I like grapefruit or pineapple juice. You can also add it to smoothies or yogurt. Guarana is safe. I’ve added it to some of my products. But it’s powerful. I recommend limiting your dose to about 5 mg per day. And it may have blood-thinning effects. Check with your doctor if you’re taking aspirin or prescription blood thinners like Warfarin or Plavix. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD References 1. Ale-Agha N, et al. “CDKN1B/p27 is localized in mitochondria and improves respiration-dependent processes in the cardiovascular system—New mode of action for caffeine.” PLOS Biol. 2018;16(6):e2004408. 2. Greenberg JA, et al. “Caffeinated coffee consumption, cardiovascular disease, and heart valve disease in the elderly (from the Framingham Study).” Am J Cardiol. 2008;102:1502–1508. 3. Miranda AM, et al. “Coffee consumption and coronary artery calcium score: Cross‐sectional results of ELSA‐Brasil (Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health).” J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(7):e007155. 4. Eskelinen MH and Kivipelto M. “Caffeine as a protective factor in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.” J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20(suppl 1):S167-S174. 5. Yonekura L, et al. “Bioavailability of catechins from guaraná (Paullinia cupana) and its effect on antioxidant enzymes and other oxidative stress markers in healthy human subjects.” Food Funct. 2016;7(7):2970-2978. To read the original article click here. For more articles by Al Sears, MD click here.

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