How Unhealthy are Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are a billion dollar industry and have become prevalent in American culture ever since they came on the scene in the early 1980’s. They were advertised as a way to “replenish lost energy”. Today, you have likely seen numerous advertisements and commercials for Red Bull, 5 Hour Energy, Monster, etc. Do you know what you’re putting into your body every time you pop the tab of your energy drink? Here are five reasons why energy drinks are unhealthy for you.

Too Much Sugar

Some energy drinks are known to have a whopping 15 teaspoons per can. For comparison, the maximum amount of daily sugar intake for men should be 9 teaspoons. For women, it should be 6 teaspoons. One energy drink almost doubles that recommended sugar amount. High energy content can lead to dehydration and weight gain, which can lead to obesity-related diseases.

Too Much Caffeine

Too much of a good thing isn’t always a good thing. It has been determined that 300-400 mg of caffeine for a healthy individual is considered safe, which would be considered around three cups of coffee. However it is hard to determine what you’re in for with all the added ingredients in energy drinks, such as ginseng, glucuronolactone, and yohimbine which are added for more stimulating effects.

Teeth Damage

Not only does the high sugar content in energy drinks lead to tooth decay, but the high acidity will double the damage against your teeth. It is important to know that once your teeth enamel is gone, it is gone for good.

High Blood Pressure

Caffeinated energy drinks can cause a spike in your blood pressure and if you’re already an individual with high blood pressure, this is a huge cause for concern. Drinking energy drinks could lead to very serious medical conditions like a stroke and other heart-related problems like heart arrhythmia, and even a heart attack.

Insomnia

Energy drinks cause alertness at a time when you should be sleeping and recharging your brain. When your brain isn’t able to recharge, you’re likely to feel sleepy the next day. What do most people do? They reach for an energy drink, thus repeating the cycle. Energy drinks are ultimately counteractive, and it is important to seek out more healthy options to increase your energy like exercising regularly and eating a wholesome diet.

If you are having any type of gastrointestinal distress or discomfort, DHAT Gastroenterologists are here to help. Call to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians today to begin the process of healing.