Energy Drinks and Health Risks

Energy drinks and your health

I'm sure we have all heard of the popular energy drinks such as Monster, Amp, Rockstar and Red Bull. In fact, most of us have probably tried one of these drinks. Most of the drinks have ingredients such as caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone. They also contain high levels of sugar and caffeine.

Energy drinks are meant to be used to supply mental and physical stimulation for a set amount of time and are mainly used during periods of strenuous physical activity and to quench thirst. Unfortunately, energy drinks do not hydrate the body and often lead to dehydration.

Today, a lot of people tend to mix energy drinks with alcohol, which makes the effects even worse. Drinking a lot of these types of drinks mixed with alcohol can lead to many health risks.

So, what is so bad about energy drinks? Though energy drinks do not pose serious health risks, it is important that they are consumed correctly. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not use them properly and a high majority of those who consume drinks such as Red Bull and Monster are teenagers and adolescents. With high amounts of sugar and caffeine, the drinks can pose slight risks to younger people.

An increased level of caffeine in the body can lead to stomach problems, panic attacks, anxiety, and cardiac arrhythmias. Caffeine is also known to mask the symptoms of fatigue. When symptoms of fatigue are not apparent, the body is already overworked while the person is continuing to do activity, which puts further strain on the heart.

A Possible Deadly Choice

Why is it bad to mix energy drinks and alcohol? The answer is pretty simple if you think about it. When you mix the two, you are mixing caffeine, which is a stimulant, which speeds up the central nervous system and alcohol, a depressant, which does the complete opposite. Basically, mixing these two drinks it like getting into your car and having a foot on each pedal, one on the brake and one on the gas, at the same time. Your car would be confused and would probably jolt, and your body does the same exact thing. Mixing these two drinks also poses health risks. For example, it can cause nausea, vomiting, heart irregularities, and electrolyte disturbances. Also when these two liquids are mixed, the user's motor skills and reaction time are completely impaired.

What are some alternatives to energy drinks? Recently, many companies have created drinks similar to energy drinks, they provide the energy and are actually healthy to consume.

A Better Choice

One drink that has become extremely popular is called Purple. This drink has seven antioxidants including, Acai, Black Cherry, Pomegranate, Black Currant, Purple Plum, Cranberry, and Blueberry. All of these antioxidants working together create something called the Cascade Effect. Purple also has no added chemicals or sugar. Purple is much healthier compared to the mainstream energy drinks.

I have tried many of these health drinks and this one has them all beat for taste. I know that GNC stores carry Purple but rather than me list all of the locations here you can just go visit www.drinkpurple.com I also included them in my "Helpful Links" Below.

Free Sample

At one time they were giving away a coupon on their site for a free full size bottle of Purple. I don't know if they are still doing that or not.

If they aren't giving away the sample anymore just go to about any major grocery or drug store and ask for it. Be warned though many stores are blowing through their stock quickly because of how the drink has caught on.

Another Alternative to Energy Drinks

POM Wonderful is another alternative to energy drinks, This is a privately owned company and manufactures their own brand of pomegranate juice, This particular brand bills its self as one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. It is sold in most major grocery and health food stores or you can find how to get it on line at www.pomwonderful.com 

Though energy drinks are not bad if used occasionally, it is important to use them correctly. If someone consumes too many energy drinks in a small time span, there are sure to be slight health risks. It is also important not to mix energy drinks with alcohol because this increases the chance for health risks to occur.

Helping to keep us and our families healthy.

Regards Archie