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Energy Drinks and Their Effects: What You Should Know About Them

Energy drinks are consumed because of their anti-fatigue and performance-enhancing effects. Whether in the office or at a party – be aware of what the energy-enhancing drinks actually do to your body.

The effect of energy drinks

Energy drinks contain a lot of sugar, caffeine, coloring, and flavorings and, depending on the brand, taurine or guarana.

  • Sweet drinks have a stimulating effect. They wake you up and ensure that you can concentrate better. The performance increases.
  • This effect is mainly due to caffeine, or alternatively guarana. Adults should consume no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. That’s the equivalent of two to three cans of energy drink.
  • A large amount of sugar is also responsible for the fact that you can do more after enjoying an energy drink. It quickly provides the body with energy – but also a lot of calories. There are around nine sugar cubes in a quarter liter. Sugar-free energy drinks are not as intense.
  • The taurine ensures that caffeine and sugar act faster. What else the substance triggers in the body has not yet been sufficiently scientifically researched. Especially if the taurine is drunk in large quantities over a long period of time.

The side effects of energy drinks

The legally binding maximum amount of caffeine is 320 milligrams per liter and 4,000 milligrams for taurine. Energy drinks must also be marked: “High caffeine content. Not recommended for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.” to be marked.

  • Having more than two cans of energy drink a day can be problematic. The heart rate increases and this can be dangerous for people with heart and vascular diseases.
  • Paired with alcohol, the popular drinks can trigger cardiac arrhythmias and cause kidney problems. The feeling of drunkenness are reduced and the willingness to take risks increases. This increases the risk of accidents.
  • Athletic people should also be careful with their energy drinks. Their performance-enhancing effect accelerates the pulse and encourages you to exceed your own limits. There is a risk of injury and circulatory problems.
  • If you drink several doses a day, these symptoms can occur nervousness, insomnia, nausea, headaches, high blood pressure, and tachycardia. In the worst case, there is a risk of circulatory collapse. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor.
  • Children and young people should avoid energy drinks because of the high caffeine content. The maximum recommended amount of caffeine is already reached with half a can.
  • Do not drink energy drinks if you are hypersensitive to coffee.
  • The drinks are also not suitable for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and people with high blood pressure.
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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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