Medically reviewed by Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Shera.
Energy drinks are consumed by the masses. Before a difficult exam or an important meeting, all we do is grab an energy drink. Our tired souls thank these drinks as apparently, they give us ‘horsepower’ and help us ace our exams. But, is it all there is to it? Is it actually beneficial for us to keep our eyes open or is it all a lie and somehow it is doing harm to our body?
Let’s find out more about these energy spiking drinks that lazy, sleep-deprived people rave about. Do they really help much better than the good old coffee or is it just a part of mytho-nergy (mythology).
Taking a brief interview of these energy drinks
Let’s get to know what energy drinks really are. Basically, these drinks help to increase mental performance, alertness, and energy. They also help to stimulate brain function and help you think better. Therefore, if you are one of those students that study right before the exams then these drinks might turn out to be your best friends. (or not)
All of these drinks contain the widely known and used ingredient called caffeine, which helps to increase concentration and stimulate brain function. Other than that some of the most commonly used ingredients are sugar, Herbs, Amino acid derivatives, etc.
Am I going to die or is it all a lie?
No, you are not going to die. But slow down on those drinks and read the effect energy drinks have on your body.
Is my brain working after these drinks or am I just smart?
Advertisements say that energy drinks boost the brain function and therefore, people drink them. Well, this bit is actually true. Energy drinks improve brain function and help you concentrate and think better.
Moreover, a study has shown that drinking about one 500 can of Red Bull helped to increase the memory by a shocking 24%. However, it is believed that this rapid increase is because of the caffeine present in these drinks.
Is my heart hurting because I don’t have a drink or is it because I just had some?
There have been studies which have said that energy drinks increase blood pressure and heart rate which is harmful to the health of the heart. This is because of the excessive amount of caffeine in these drinks.
It can be heart-wrenching (pun intended) to see you or your loved one get rushed to the hospital. But, this is not always the case. You can drink one or two in a month or so, just don’t go overboard with it. And if you have a history of heart disease then just don’t drink it at all.
Here comes your sugar mama
Take this literally, your drink is filled with sugar and that is not good. There are about 7-14 teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml can. If you consume this much sugar then your blood sugar will spike. Therefore, this also increases the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress which is the reason for nearly every chronic disease.
If you have diabetes then put a danger label on the bottle and put it away as it can be extremely bad for your health.
The Energy-filled Bottom Line
Energy drinks can definitely help you if you are feeling tired and have an event to go to as they increase brain function or before an exam.
However, there are also a lot of disadvantages for them as they have excess caffeine and sugar content. No one is stopping you from drinking them, just be mindful of the amount you consume. Limit your intake to 16 ounces per two days and no more than that. And if you have an energy drink addiction our then cut down on other caffeinated drinks.
It is your life and you can live the way you want but you need to stay healthy, you can have energy by sleeping well, waking up on time and doing exercise. So replace your energy drinks with all of this and you are good to go!
Guest Credit: Asma Qadri
