Ill Effects of Energy Drinks

Ill Effects of Energy Drinks


Are energy drinks safe for you? That’s rather debatable. Energy drinks, enjoy a lot of popularity, because of the kind of marketing they get. However, the side-effects of energy drinks needs to be taken into account. These energy drinks have lesser caffeine than an average cup of coffee, but they do have a number of other ingredients, and a large amount of sugar. They appeal to the younger demographic, which is quite a problem, because the younger demographic has started to experience the side-effects.


Here are some of the health problems associated with the consumption of energy drinks.


1. Cardiac Arrest:

To be fair, not everybody who drinks an energy drink is going to develop cardiac arrest. However, people who do have heart problems are known to go into cardiac arrest after drinking a few bottles of energy drinks. These drinks force heart contractions, in order to promote activity and energy in people, and this can be really harmful for some people.


2. Insomnia:

Energy drinks are meant to keep people awake and active. However, if a person drinks way too many energy drinks, chances are that they will lose sleep, altogether. Overconsumption of energy drinks can cause a person to develop insomnia. This can further damage a person’s social skills, ability to focus on a task, or even drive.


3. Addiction:

Caffeine and energy drinks are extremely addictive. If people get hooked to the rush they get from drinking these drinks, they might end up getting addicted to the same. This can further lead to emotional problems, lack of concentration on work or studies and cause problems in relationships.


4. Interference With Medication:

The ingredients found in these energy drinks are wide and varied. They might actually interfere with the functioning and effect of medication. If you are taking prescription medication, you should consult with your doctor and find out if it is healthy for you to drink energy drinks. This interference might just block out the effect of the medication you are taking, or prove damaging to your medical condition.


5. Headaches:

Consumption of energy drinks can lead to severe headaches. These headaches usually happen if a person gets addicted to energy drinks, and is trying to stop drinking the same. Energy drink withdrawal is the same as caffeine withdrawal- these headaches might even turn into severe migraines.


6. Type 2 Diabetes:

As we mentioned before, energy drinks have very little caffeine, but they have a large amount of sugar. It’s unhealthy for a person to consume such a large amount of sugar. It can cause type 2 diabetes among people, by wearing out the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.


7. Risky Behaviour:

Research conducted in America shows that students and teens are more likely to indulge in risky behaviour when they are high on caffeine, or sugar. This risky behaviour can be damaging to the person, or to others. Indulging in such behaviour might not just end in injury, it may end up being a legal issue, too.


8. Allergic Reactions:

Energy drinks have a number of ingredients. Any of these ingredients may cause an allergic reaction in a person. These reactions can range from minor irritation or itching, to constriction of air passage. If you are allergic to something, make sure you do your research, to find out if any energy drink contains the same.


9. Vomiting:

People who consume too many energy drinks can end up damaging their stomach. This can lead to vomiting, which will lead to dehydration, and other problems, too.


10. Nervous Twitching:

A study conducted in Australia showed that even one can of energy drink can cause nervousness, twitching and jitters among young men. This can cause a lot of damage among people who have to do physical activities. This can affect a person’s ability to drive, even.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad