Photo by Jorge Franganillo on Unsplash
What seems to be a main issue with energy drinks is that teens, and even adults, are under the impression that they are perfectly harmless.
Or think they are a health drink! Most people are unaware of the high caffeine content in one drink alone (not to mention the high amounts of sugar!)
Just one drink can equal 4 or more cups of coffee, and while sodas generally contain 15 mg of caffeine, one energy drink is likely to contain 2 to 10 times that amount.
This post contains a video that will show exactly why US Navy Pilots are banned from energy drinks and also shows that they are terrible (on many levels) for anyone else, too.
Energy drinks are responsible for many emergency room visits and deaths, but these 2 stories will make it more real:
A strong husband and father of 3: (source)
My husband of 10 years went into cardiac arrest while in our bed. I woke up to hear him gasping. I thought in that moment, ‘Is this actually happening?’ He was only 41 years old, very healthy, fit, worked out every day and had just had a full physical a month prior. The ER doctor was asking me all kinds of questions – ‘Does he use drugs, any health issues, what, if any, medications is he on?’ I told them no to all of the above. The doctor asked if he drank energy drinks. I said yes, but only one a day usually on his way out the door to work. The doctor explained it only takes one energy drink to throw off the rhythm of your heart causing a heart arrhythmia. (source)
Anais’s Story
“The parents of a 14 year-old are suing Monster Beverage Corporation after their daughter drank two of the energy drinks in 24 hours and later died. The parents claim that Monster Energy Drink fails to warn consumers about the potential dangers of drinking the highly caffeinated beverages. The autopsy in this case found that the girl died from cardiac arrhythmia from caffeine toxicity. The medical examiner noted that the girl had a undetected disorder that she inherited that could have weakened her blood vessels.” (source)
Navy bans their pilots from energy drinks (see 5:15-5:30)
Increased Blood Stickiness is a primary causative factor for cardiovascular disease. (see from 7:00-8:00)
Underlying Silent Cardiovascular Disease
The main concern is for young and older individuals who have underlying silent cardiovascular disease leading to severe cardiovascular events.
Additives such as guarana, ginseng, and taurine increase the potency and potentiate the effects of caffeine. Dangerous arrhythmias can easily develop in the hearts of individuals who consume them.
A Purdue University study states mixing energy drinks with alcohol has the same effect as cocaine and that brain changes in adolescents last into adulthood.
The American Heart Association says that just one energy drink can harm your blood vessels.
What about the widespread belief that you can perform better on energy drinks?
Athletes and coaches routinely use energy drinks because there are studies out there that show they improve reaction time and power output. But just because something increases reaction time, does that mean it will increase performance?
What does the research say?
Performance tests were done with Navy pilots both when consuming these drinks and when not using them. They tested complex turns, maneuvers, and ability to respond in emergency scenarios. Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers were found to make more errors when they used energy drinks! Studies has been done on student pilots, as well.
GoFlightMed: “The US Navy categorizes Energy Drinks and Energy Shots as Class C (prohibited in aircrew and mandating a 24 hour removal from flying duties).”
There is a new study released stating that energy drinks may be contributing to the symptoms of PTSD in post-deployed soldiers.
Effects Of Energy Drinks
- Anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Headache
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Increased blood pressure
- Dehydration
- Caffeine intoxication
- Stomach ache and gastrointestinal issues
- Insomnia
- Muscle twitching and jerking
- Restlessness
- Increased obesity risk
- Increased type 2 diabetes risk
- Dental decay
- Stress response
The Way People Drink Coffee and Energy Drinks Differs Greatly!
People usually sip their coffee, compared to how rapidly energy drink users may gizzle them down to get their buzz. One hears of contests to see who can drink theirs the fastest or who can drink the most! Researchers say this behavior is extremely dangerous.
Story: 16 yo. dies from too much caffeine, too quickly!
Brands like Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar, NOS, and XS Energy are promoted like a health food to increase energy, enhance mental alertness, and physical performance. Next to multivitamins, these drinks are the most popular dietary supplement of American young adults.
Almost one-third of teens between 12 and 17 years drink them regularly.
As the sale of energy drinks increases every year, the need to act becomes obvious. Steps to protect our health that of our children are both feasible and necessary. The problem has been identified – now is the time to act.
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