The benefits and harms of energy drinks, the consequences of consumption, reviews

The benefits and harms of energy drinks are the first thing to consider before you start drinking a drink to relieve fatigue. Many people begin to use energy drinks to renew their strength, but at the same time, few people think about the possible consequences and harm that can be done to the body. Some can cheer up cold and hot shower, others - sports, and someone cannot imagine their life without caffeine. Before giving preference to energy drinks, it is worth understanding what they bring - benefit or harm?

What is energy

An energetic drink is a soft drink that stimulates performance. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the excessive use of energy drinks threatens with detrimental consequences for the body, which is why it is recommended not to exceed the permissible daily dose.

The main goal is to make the body work much faster, but after the effect wears off, exhaustion will come. Considering that some people have a personal intolerance to certain components, it is best to carefully study the composition and take into account the properties before buying.

The principle of energy

The influence of energy drinks on the body of men and women is similar. Energy drinks have an invigorating effect due to their caffeine and glucose content. Since most of the energy drinks are classified as carbonated, its action begins as quickly as possible.

For athletes, manufacturers supply on sale special energy cocktails that stimulate the body, and this is facilitated by the presence of sugar, vitamins and inositol.

The effect occurs literally 10 minutes after the drink has been drunk. If you use it on an empty stomach, then the effect comes faster.

A cheerful state is observed for 4 hours. After the action of the energetic is over, fatigue appears, a desire to go to sleep, so in some cases it is worth considering both the benefits and side effects.

Composition of energy drinks

The effect of drinks largely depends on what is included in:

• caffeine;
• ginseng;
• guarana;
• taurine;
• sugar;
• B vitamins.

As a rule, properties, components, flavors, flavor enhancers will differ depending on the manufacturer. It is important to understand that these components do not benefit the body. Excessive consumption can lead to diabetes and vascular problems.

Caffeine

The properties of caffeine have always been famous for their tonic effect.Caffeine contains adenosine, which allows you to suppress communication with the central nervous system, as a result of which a person practically does not notice fatigue.

Under the influence of caffeine, the production of adrenaline begins, thanks to which it is possible to maintain and also increase energy reserves and mental activity. The main disadvantage is considered to be the exhaustion of the central nervous system, the appearance of insomnia, addiction and heart problems.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that is produced during the metabolism of cysteine ​​and methionine. Since these substances are found in meat and fish, you can unknowingly consume the permissible daily dose during a meal.

The daily dose of taurine is 400 mg / l, in the energy sector it contains 3180 mg / l. These amino acids are completely harmless. The addition of taurine is attributed to the rapid stimulation of brain activity.

Ginseng

With the help of the properties of ginseng, you can increase physical strength, endurance, improve memory, stimulate mental activity. Due to the fact that this plant is quite useful, it is added to a large number of drinks and herbal teas.

Ginseng brings benefits to the body, not harm, so it has practically no drawbacks.

B vitamins

As already mentioned, energy drinks contain B vitamins, the amount of which exceeds the allowable daily allowance from 360% to 2000%. Abuse of this drink can lead to hypervitaminosis, as a result of which intoxication of the body can be caused and, as a result, serious problems with the liver. That is why you should not think that a large amount of vitamins will benefit the body.

Guarana

Guarana is an analogue of caffeine, which is extracted from the seeds of the Amazonian vines. The properties of guarana are similar to those of caffeine, the difference is the increased potency from consumption. In comparison, 40 mg of caffeine replaces 1 g of guarana.

In order to increase the efficiency of the properties of the energy drink, manufacturers add both caffeine and guarana. Thanks to this, the energetic can act for 5-6 hours.

Levocarnitine

Levocarnitine is the main amino acid found in energy drinks. In the human body, carnitine is synthesized, which, in turn, takes part in fat metabolism, but this does not mean at all that you need to use an energy drink for losing weight.

Also, levocarnitine helps to stimulate blood circulation, prevents blood clots, and helps to restore strength after physical exertion. As a result, we can safely say that it only benefits the body.

What are the harmful and dangerous energy

When drinking drinks, it is worth observing the permissible dosages, but do not forget about the harm of an energy drink to the human body. The properties of caffeine have a detrimental effect on the nervous system, depleting it over time. Efficiency gradually decreases, fatigue appears. Excessive use leads to heart and kidney disease.

Energy drinks are not recommended for:

• pregnant women;
• persons under 18;
• To old people;
• people with cardiovascular disease;
• with sleep disturbance.

Symptoms of an energy drink overdose

With frequent use, it is almost impossible to avoid energy side effects and overdose.Overdose symptoms are:

• poisoning;
• the skin becomes red;
• pressure rises;
• disorientation sets in;
• excessive sweating;
• insomnia appears;
• aggression;
• fainting.

In this case, it is necessary to immediately deliver the victim to a medical facility, where he will receive first aid and gastric lavage. After that, a dropper is placed, which prevents the absorption of substances into the blood.

Contraindications to the use of energy drinks

Since non-alcoholic energy drinks bring not only benefits, but also harm to the body, there are a number of contraindications:

• energy drinks are not recommended for persons under 18 years of age. This is due to the fact that the body of children has not yet matured, the heart is in the stage of growth, and the use of these drinks can be fatal;
• during pregnancy and lactation period;
• persons suffering from hypertension, diabetes mellitus, gastritis, stomach ulcer.

Before you start purchasing invigorating products, you need to take into account their properties, and it is best to undergo a medical examination and consult with your doctor.

Why are energy drinks useful?

The properties of an energy drink bring not only harm, but also benefit. Often, energy drinks are simply necessary:

• truckers;
• people who work at night;
• students during sessions;
• office workers when submitting reports;
• lovers of visiting nightclubs.

The benefits of the properties of energy drinks are as follows:

• enhances mental activity;
• increases physical activity;
• the composition contains a complex of vitamins that do not harm the body;
• increase efficiency by several hours;
• cheer up.

Despite these benefits, do not forget about the consequences of overuse.

How to consume energy drinks without harm to health

Despite the fact that regular use of energy drinks has a detrimental effect on health, you can drink it without harming the body. For this, it must be borne in mind that the daily dose should not exceed 2 cans. By giving the body time to recover, side effects can be avoided.

It is not recommended to drink the drink after training, as in this case the pressure rises. It is also not recommended to mix energy drinks and alcoholic drinks.

How much energy drinks can you drink per day

If we take into account the standards of daily consumption of an energy drink in Russia, then the limit is 500 ml, that is, about 150-160 mg of caffeine. About so much is contained in a mug of coffee. The manufacturer indicates on the can how much energy can be drunk per day without harming health.

Considering that there are no restrictions on the sale, except for age, then you need to consume the drink not mindlessly, but wisely, taking into account the information that is indicated on the bank.

Frequently asked Questions

"Can expired energy drinks be drunk?" - No, as it can lead to poisoning. The energy drink is the same product as most others.

"Is it possible for teenagers to have an energy drink?" - If the energy drink is non-alcoholic, this does not mean that there will be no harm to health. Not recommended for persons under 18 years of age.

"Can an energy drink be drunk for children under 13?" - If you consider that it is not allowed for adolescents, then children will not benefit from its use.

"Can I Drink Energy Drinks During Pregnancy?" - It is impossible, as you can harm the health of the child.

Is it possible to drink energy drinks before the age of 18

It is important to understand that the use of energy drinks by adolescents and children should not be allowed.Often, adolescents purchase these drinks not because they need a boost of vivacity and additional energy, but only in order to seem adults.

Caffeine, which is contained in the energy sector, does not pose much harm to a teenager, but it can be consumed in much smaller doses, unlike adults. Undoubtedly, the drinks contain a share of nutrients and vitamins, but an overdose of them will not bring the expected health benefits.

Can you drink energy drinks before training

As you know, due to their properties, energetics give strength by activating the body's reserves. After a few hours, vigor disappears, fatigue, drowsiness, and in some cases insomnia occur.

But, despite all the disadvantages, energy drinks are consumed before strength training, as they can significantly increase endurance. Even if you pay attention to the fact that the drink contains a large amount of vitamins, in addition to increasing endurance, they practically do not bring any benefits to the body.

Is it possible to drink an energy drink for pregnant women

Many people know how carefully a woman approaches the choice of products during pregnancy and breastfeeding, takes into account their properties, benefits and harms. That is why it is worth completely excluding the use of energy drinks during this period.

It is necessary to take into account the negative impact of energy drinks on the body of a pregnant woman, as a result of which the heart rhythm of the mother and the unborn child is disturbed.

Many experts recommend minimizing the amount of caffeine you consume. The permissible daily dose should not exceed 200 ml.

Is it possible to drink energy drinks while driving

The use of energy while driving is a separate topic that requires increased attention. It is impossible to unequivocally give an answer as to whether you can drink these drinks while driving or not.

As already mentioned, any energy drink lasts for several hours, after which increased fatigue sets in, the driver begins to fall asleep, as a result of which the risk of getting into an accident increases. For example, if the driver realizes that there is no more than an hour left until the end of the route and there is a need to arrive on time, without stopping on the road, then you can drink an energy drink, but after that you will need to fully rest. If the road takes longer, then it is worth refusing to use invigorating drinks and giving preference to rest, without exposing yourself and other road users to danger.

If we consider the use of energy drinks, from the point of view of the law, then they do not belong to alcoholic products. Even if you consume energy drinks without alcohol on a daily basis, you are not entitled to a fine for this, since the driver is not intoxicated. But you always need to be aware that even a non-alcoholic drink that causes fatigue and drowsiness can lead to irreparable consequences.

What can replace energy

One can of energy drink, in terms of the amount of caffeine, is equivalent to 14 cans of Cola. You should always remember about the possible harm. For example, if there is an overdose, then instead of the expected vigor, you can get an inadequate state, which is accompanied by convulsions.

The invigorating properties of energy can be easily replaced with other products. For example, the most popular option is coffee. Drinking coffee can quickly drive away sleep, but excessive consumption is harmful - depletion of the nervous system, increased blood pressure.

If the effect is in the first place, and not the taste, then coffee can be easily replaced with cold water, which perfectly relieves fatigue and eliminates drowsiness. If you add 1 tsp of lemon or honey juice to the water, you can increase the efficiency.

With the help of chocolate, you can recharge your batteries for several hours. Chocolate is recommended to be consumed in the morning, as it will be quite difficult to fall asleep after it in the evening. Since this product is high in calories, the daily rate should not exceed 30 g.

As you can see, there are a large number of alternative options that will help to cheer up and at the same time bring the body not harm, but exclusively benefit.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of power engineers are incomparable, especially if you consider that it is almost impossible to meet a completely healthy person. Energy drinks make the body work under stress for several hours, thus leading to wear and tear on resources. You always need to consider the consequences, harm and benefits, not focusing only on properties.

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