E​nergy drinks are widely promoted as products that increase energy and enhance mental alertness and physical performance. Next to multivitamins, energy drinks are the most popular dietary supplement consumed by American teens and young adults. Men between the ages of 18 and 34 years consume the most energy drinks, and almost one-third of teens between 12 and 17 years drink them regularly.

There are two kinds of energy drink products. One is sold in containers similar in size to those of ordinary soft drinks. The other kind, called “energy shots,” is sold in small containers . Caffeine is a major ingredient in both types of energy drink products.

Consuming energy drinks raises important safety concerns

• Between 2007 and 2011, the number of energy drink-related visits to emergency departments doubled. In 2011, 1 in 10 of these visits resulted in hospitalization.
• About 25 percent of college students consume alcohol with energy drinks, and they binge-drink significantly more often than students who don’t mix them.
• The CDC reports that drinkers aged 15 to 23 who mix alcohol with energy drinks are four times more likely to binge drink at high intensity (i.e., consume six or more drinks per binge episode) than drinkers who do not mix alcohol with energy drinks.
• Drinkers who mix alcohol with energy drinks are more likely than drinkers who do not mix alcohol with energy drinks to report unwanted or unprotected sex, driving drunk or riding with a driver who was intoxicated, or sustaining alcohol-related injuries.
• In 2011, 42 percent of all energy drink-related emergency department visits involved combining these beverages with alcohol or drugs (such as marijuana or over-the-counter or prescription medicines).

  Energy drinks harm human body …. YES 

• A growing body of scientific evidence shows that energy drinks can have serious health effects, particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults.
• In several studies, energy drinks have been found to improve physical endurance, but there’s less evidence of any effect on muscle strength or power. Energy drinks may enhance alertness and improve reaction time, but they may also reduce steadiness of the hands.
• The amounts of caffeine in energy drinks vary widely, and the actual caffeine content may not be identified easily. Some energy drinks are marketed as beverages and others as dietary supplements. There’s no requirement to declare the amount of caffeine on the label of either type of product.

• Large amounts of caffeine may cause serious heart and blood vessel problems such as heart rhythm disturbances and increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Caffeine also may harm children’s still-developing cardiovascular and nervous systems.
• Caffeine use may also be associated with anxiety, sleep problems, digestive problems, and dehydration.
• Guarana, commonly included in energy drinks, contains caffeine. Therefore, the addition of guarana increases the drink’s total caffeine content.
• People who combine caffeinated drinks with alcohol may not be able to tell how intoxicated they are; they may feel less intoxicated than they would if they had not consumed caffeine, but their motor coordination and reaction time may be just as impaired.
• Excessive energy drink consumption may disrupt teens’ sleep patterns and may be associated with increased risk-taking behavior.
• A single 16-oz. container of an energy drink may contain 54 to 62 grams of added sugar; this exceeds the maximum amount of added sugars recommended for an entire day.

  How energy drinks affect your body within 24 hours..

 Last year, the World Health Organization hailed energy drinks a “danger to public health,” after they found consumption of such beverages is on the rise. Now, an infographic created by website Personalise.co.uk claims to show exactly what happens to the body in the 24 hours after consuming an energy drink.

Energy drinks are marketed as beverages that boost mental and physical performance. Caffeine is the most common stimulant in these drinks, but some brands contain other plant-based stimulants, such as guarana and ginseng .

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the amount of caffeine in a can or bottle of energy drink can range from 80 mg to over 500 mg. For comparison, one 5-ounce cup of coffee  contains around 100 mg of caffeine.

Like soda, energy drinks are also high in sugar. A 250 ml can of Red Bull, for example, contains around 27.5 g of sugar.

Numerous studies have suggested energy drinks can have negative health implications. A 2013 study reported by Medical News Today, for example, found energy drinks alter the heart function of healthy adults,  while another study linked energy drink consumption to other unhealthy behaviors , such as smoking. 

Caffeine withdrawal may occur 12-24 hours after consumption…

The infographic claims that individuals who consume energy drinks regularly may experience caffeine withdrawal in the 12-24 hours after consumption, which includes symptoms such as headache , irritability and constipation. 

Dr. Farrimond explained that withdrawal symptoms can last up to 9 days and the severity depends on the amount of caffeine consumed.

or regular energy drink consumers, it takes around 7-12 days for the body to adapt to a regular intake of caffeine, according to the infographic. An individual is unlikely to experience a boost from the beverages once their body gets used to them.

While the information provided in this infographic is not new, it does help shed light on why so many studies have cited the health implications of energy drinks.

Still, energy drink consumption is rising, In the US, sales of the beverages increased by 60% between 2008 and 2012.

PROS AND CONS OF ENERGY DRINKS…

Pros

• • Energy drinks give you an good energy boost
  • Quick pick me up

• Vitamin B: improves mood and can fight cancer and heart disease

• B12: Keeps your red blood cells and nerves healthy. Helps regulate the nervous system and maintain a healthy digestive system.

• B6: helps body with cardiovascular, immune and nervous system function

• Niacin: Helps relieve arthritis pains and lower blood lipids

• Pantothenic Acid: Helps with allergies,  stress, anxiety and skin disorders.

• Riboflavin: Can treat muscle cramps and blood disorders

 Cons

• • Energy drinks carry a lot of Caffeine and sugar. According to fitbug.com, “Energy drinks also have a lot of sugar,  about the same as a can of coke, or as much as 8-10 teaspoons. While this sugar in combination with the caffeine will increase your blood sugar levels and give you an initial energy burst, this is usually followed by a sudden fall in blood sugar levels, causing a “crash” and you feel tired and lethargic again. “
  • Energy drinks are NOT good for exercising. They will dehydrate you giving you less energy to workout. 
  • Can become addicting
  • Causes headaches due to withdrawal from caffeine

• Insomnia: Energy drinks can cause lack of sleep,  Too much caffeine will definitely keep you awake.

 Everything have its pros and cons and excess consumption of anything is bad of anything. So we need to be get some awareness about the products we consume because HEALTH IS EVERYTHING.