All energy drinks. Side effects of energy drinks

Alcoholic energy drink is a very controversial drink. Why? The energy drink performs a stimulating function, but alcohol is a depressing one.

The opposition is obvious! The energy drink "masks" the effects of alcohol, which is why many people do not take it into account and weaken the control over the amount of alcohol they drink. As a result - more active consumption of alcohol, which subsequently causes natural fatigue, still interrupted by the effect of a stimulating drink. However, first things first.

Compound

This is the first thing you should pay attention to when talking about alcoholic energy drinks. So, they include the following substances:

• Glucose and sucrose in large quantities. These are easily digestible carbohydrates, the main source of energy.
• Caffeine. Stimulates the central nervous system, accelerates the pulse, enhances cardiac activity, promotes the accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which leads to adrenaline-like effects.
• Theobromine. Close in composition to caffeine, it has a similar effect - it excites the heart muscle.
• Taurine. It has antioxidant action, stimulates the emulsification of fats in the intestine, has a cardiotropic effect. In general, it improves energy processes.
• Glucuronolactone. It is a natural metabolite of glucose, a direct "precursor" of taurine, which improves mental performance.
• L-carnitine. Has a neuroprotective effect.
• Vitamins B and D-ribose. Substances necessary for every person, because they improve metabolism.

extracts

They are also part of the energy low alcohol drinks. The most common are:

• Guarana extract. An effective stimulant - it contains twice as much caffeine as coffee beans.
• Ginseng extract. It is the source of all kinds useful substances. These include saponins, xatriols, active polyacetylenes, peptides, polysaccharides, acids (folic, nicotinic, pantothenic), essential oils, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, molybdenum, manganese, cobalt, chromium, titanium, zinc ... in general, it’s impossible to list everything.

By the way, another common addition is black carrot juice. It contains a large number of antioxidants - 12 times more than in a regular orange fruit.

Alcohol

And this is the main component of low-alcohol energy drinks. And everyone knows how bad it is. Alcohol has a toxic effect on our entire body.

And now we are not even talking about such consequences as an increase in the likelihood of diabetes, heart, oncological diseases etc. Alcohol is a depressant. A substance that depresses the activity of the central nervous system and often provokes mental disorders.

Possible consequences

Everything, of course, depends on individual characteristics body, but the combination of caffeine and ethanol can cause not the most pleasant reaction. Because the surge of energy caused by all the stimulants and sugar will be instantly blocked by the effect of the decay products. ethyl alcohol. So here are the possible consequences:

• Excessive stress on the psyche. As a result, it is difficult to control behavior.
• Abnormal load on the cardiovascular system, increased contractions.
• CNS disorders. They are provoked by both an excess of caffeine and alcohol.
• Risk of developing diabetes, weight gain.
• Load on all systems internal organs.

Well, the most important consequence, which no one who consumes alcoholic energy drinks can avoid, is a long recovery of the body. Everyone knows that the decay products of alcohol are excreted for a very long time.

addictive

A consequence that needs to be said separately. Alcohol energy drinks are highly addictive and addictive. Over time, a person notices that he needs to drink a lot more tonic strong drink to achieve the effect that previously arose from one jar.

And everyone knows that excessive addiction to such cocktails is a direct path to drunkenness and alcoholism. And it is not just words. In energy drinks, after all, the “degree” is practically not felt (although it is present in a considerable amount), so a person simply overturns one jar after another without even noticing it.

Famous example: Jaguar

"Jaguar" is an alcoholic energy drink whose name is on everyone's lips. It cannot be called “weak”, since the ethyl alcohol content is 7%. And this is more than strong beer. Previously, by the way, Jaguar was produced with a content of 5.5% and 9%.

The composition of this drink, in addition to alcohol, includes water, lemon acid, sugar, caffeine, taurine and Paraguayan holly (mate) leaf extract. It determines the sweet-tart taste of the cocktail.

In addition to the above, the composition contains dyes (carmine, anthocyanin and caramel), as well as flavors and vitamins. Energy value- about 100 kcal.

"Jaguar" is harmful. Sodium benzoate (E211), which is part of it, can cause DNA changes in large quantities, is the cause of Parkinson's disease and cancer. And the dye E129, which causes the red color of the drink, is a carcinogen banned in 9 European countries.

List of popular drinks

In continuation of the topic under discussion, I would like to list a list of alcoholic energy drinks that enjoy a certain popularity.

• Revo. The "classic" version is a drink in a silver can with a sour-fresh taste. There is a "cherry" modification in red containers and "grapefruit" in orange. All contain 9% alcohol. There are also Shizandra (8%) and Revo Angel (6%) versions.
• Strike. Inexpensive drink containing 8% alcohol. From one can of it, the effect is created, like from 3-4 cups of strong black coffee and a 50-gram shot of vodka.
• Hooch. A budget option with a content of 7% alcohol and a wide range of flavors. There are apple, lemon, grapefruit, orange and blackcurrant.

However, only the eminent inspiring non-alcoholic Red Bull, diluted with vodka, is more popular than all the listed options. But you need to knead it yourself - the manufacturer does not release “ready-made” versions.

Benefit

Well, enough has been said about the harm of alcoholic energy drinks. But wherever there are cons, there are definitely pluses! So what about benefits? Oddly enough, but it is present.

At the very beginning, the substances that make up these cocktails were listed, and they are really useful. True, their positive effect is smoothed out by alcohol, but still.

However, in certain situations, even an alcoholic energy drink can help. He will not let you fall asleep if you really want to sleep, but you can’t. For example, when deadlines are burning at work. Okay, but how to work if alcohol enters the body? Easy and simple, because in a small amount (you need to remember the measure!) Alcohol relaxes, relieves unnecessary thoughts, relieves stress. In such a relaxed state, work is much calmer.

Right choice

You should not buy the first energy drink that comes across, deciding to cheer up. When choosing a drink, you should be guided by the following rules:

• The best energy drink is the one that contains only one tonic. It is better if it is a natural plant extract.
• Pay attention to content flavor additives and dyes. The use of excess carcinogens is useless.
• No need to be tempted by a half-liter jar. Daily rate- 250-300 ml.
• You should immediately buy bottled water, at least 0.5 liters. Energy drinks are dehydrating, you'll have to rebalance.

And one more thing: you don’t need to seize such a drink with chocolate or drink coffee. This is an extra energy blow to the body.

Turning to the law

There are some legal nuances regarding the topic under consideration. Namely - the law on the sale of energy drinks.

Everyone knows how in Russia they are unsuccessfully trying to fight the sale of all kinds of psychotropic substances like alcohol, cigarettes, etc. Tonic cocktails are no exception! In 2014, the State Duma tried to introduce a law on the sale of energy drinks for consideration. It was proposed to ban the sale of tonic drinks to minors.

Has the law been passed? Not really. The ban was established only on May 1, 2017, only for Moscow and the region. Also in these and some other regions (in the Crimea, for example) they stopped selling Coca-Cola without presenting a passport! This is because the popular soda, which even children buy, contains caffeine, albeit in small quantities.

In fact, if you want to cheer up, it is better to choose an option without ethyl alcohol, if the question is which one to buy - alcoholic or not. The energy drink "Drive" can be a good option, as well as "Gorilla", "Non Stop", "Owl", "MTV Up!", "Adrenaline Rush", "Monster" and many others. But it is better to drink a cup of natural freshly ground coffee. If you drink it in moderation, it will have a number of beneficial effects.

Energetic drinks have caused controversy since its inception.: some consider them incredibly useful, empowering, energizing and supporting the body in an extreme situation; others, on the contrary, grumble at them, citing many arguments about their uselessness and even about their insecurity.

What are energy drinks

Energy drinks (or as they are also called energy tonics) are low-alcohol or non-alcoholic formulations, where the emphasis is mainly on the antisedative effect and the possibility of temporary, but very active stimulation nervous system.

The main contingent of their consumers are students (especially at the time of the session), office workers seeking to complete urgent work in a short period of time, trainers in fitness clubs, frequenters of nightclubs, tired drivers and all those who want to get a surge of energy and vigor.

Energy drinks are usually included in the category of highly carbonated drinks., since this property has an impact on the speedy absorption of the substances contained in it and the immediate onset of the effect.

Composition of energy drinks

The composition of energy drinks includes a number of tonic components. Their assortment largely depends on the manufacturer and type of drink (low alcohol / non-alcoholic), but more often than others, energy drinks are saturated with caffeine and other stimulants - usually cocoa alkaloids (theophylline) and theobromine, which are caffeine homologues.

In some cases, instead of caffeine itself, the components of energy drinks are extracts of mate, tea or guarana, which also contain it. The use of other names for caffeine is also noted - for example, theine or mateine, which are actually the same invigorating substance. In general, the concentration of caffeine in energy drinks reaches 240-360 mg per liter, with a permissible maximum per day of 150 mg.

In addition, manufacturers often saturate tonics with vitamins: they are “stuffed” so much that one jar is enough to replenish daily requirement. However, do not think that all types of energy drinks contain the same amount of vitamins - some have a whole norm added, others - only half of it. Therefore, doctors advise limiting the use of energy drinks to 1 can per day.

Also, they often contain easily digestible energy sources - that is, carbohydrates (sucrose and glucose), adaptogens, and so on. IN Lately energy drinks began to saturate with taurine.

The figures indicated on the packaging are usually given for 100 grams of the product. For a better ratio, you should pay attention to the volume of one can, which, as a rule, ranges from 0.2 to 0.33 liters, often 0.5 liters, and already quite as an exception - 1 liter.

The benefits of energy drinks

Energy drinks are great for boosting your mood and stimulating your brain. At the same time, there are so many energy drinks today that everyone will find exactly what they need, based on their personal needs. The fact is that all energy drinks are conditionally divided into 2 groups:

• in some, the emphasis is on carbohydrates and vitamins (these are suitable for those in need of urgent stimulation of mental abilities and the inclusion of the hidden reserves of the body),
• in others - for caffeine (they are chosen by those who need to maintain vigor after hours to delay sleep, and those who experience increased physical exertion).

In addition, the glucose contained in energy drinks quickly enters the bloodstream, taking part in oxidative processes, providing muscles, the brain and other organs with energy.

Another of the positive aspects of energy drinks is that they keep the body invigorated much longer than coffee: this ratio in favor of energy drinks is 1-2 hours versus 3-4 hours. Among other things, they are also saturated with gases, which is several times accelerates the onset of their effects.

An important difference between energy drinks and the same coffee is that the latter cannot be carried everywhere with you, consumed at the right time, while energy tonics, thanks to a sealed and convenient container, can.

The dangers of energy drinks

The most dangerous is the addiction that the systematic use of energy drinks causes. Without them, the body after a certain period begins to feel an energy decline, exhaustion, lethargy, which makes a person again and again remove the unfavorable state that has fallen on him with some kind of energy tonic.

Energy drinks also provoke problems in the work of blood vessels and the heart., reduce potency, cause insomnia, rapid depletion of the body's natural resources, fatigue. Due to the increased doses of all kinds of substances and their concentration in incredibly large quantities, energy drinks cause:

• anxiety,
• excessive arousal,
• tachycardia (rapid heartbeat),
• surge blood pressure,
• vomiting and nausea,
• tremor of the limbs (involuntary trembling),
• arrhythmia
• increased emission blood sugar,
• long term depression
• depletion of the NA,
• unmotivated anxiety.

This is especially true for energy drinks with bioactive additives.

Who Shouldn't Drink Energy Drinks

It should be noted that there are a number strict restrictions and contraindications in the use of energy drinks due to increased saturation with a variety of drugs and substances. Energy drinks should not be drunk:

• people with an excitable nervous system,
• sensitive to caffeine
• suffering from extreme restlessness,
• prone to sleep disorders
• glaucoma patients,
• rapidly losing control
• having abnormalities in the work of the heart and blood vessels,
• patients with hypertension
• old people
• teenagers
• children
• pregnant women
• nursing mothers.

They should also be used with caution by those who are actively involved in fitness: the caffeine contained in them has a strong diuretic effect, and multiplied several times it can negatively affect the health of the trainees, because during the session they already have a strong sweating (loss liquids). Therefore, everything can end with dehydration of the body.

However, this is not the only danger for athletes: they are forbidden to drink energy drinks after exercise also because they increase blood pressure, which already becomes high during exercise. Hence the risk of a hypertensive crisis, at best.

Energy drinks are also contraindicated for those who abuse alcohol or mix them.. In this situation, a sharp jump in pressure is also provided and can play a cruel joke with a person, provoking anything - even cardiac arrest. The fact is that on the one hand, caffeine increases pressure, and on the other hand, alcohol greatly enhances its effect.

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Energy are popular among people who are forced to long time study vigorous activity. These people do not have time to complete tasks due to the lack of strength, which they are trying to find in the notorious drinks.

The problem lies in the misunderstanding of the harm from this, because how can a “fortified invigorating cocktail” created by skilled marketers harm? And yet medicine treats such liquids strictly negatively. To realize the truth, it is worth weighing the real pros and cons.

What it is

Energy are without alcoholic drinks aimed at stimulating the active work of the body. Their main goal is to make the mind and body function at maximum efficiency without feeling tired.

A miracle cure appeared in 1938. Then the first invigorating drink called Lukozade was created, which was used to stimulate athletes. The latter showed excellent results, but then ended up in the hospital with food poisoning. On a very long term the product was discontinued.

However, in 1994, Redbull appeared, creating its own brand and seemingly high-quality products that have become one of the most sought-after energy drinks on the market. There were no poisonings, so other corporations gradually arose, wishing to get their "piece of the pie" in a new promising niche. Today, there are more than a hundred brands that produce invigorating cocktails. And these are only the most famous in the CIS.

Video: Energy drinks harm and benefit.

Compound

The action of any energy drinks directly depends on their composition, the main components of which are:

• caffeine;
• ginseng;
• guarana;
• taurine;
• B vitamins;
• sugar.

Additional components, flavors, flavor enhancers are usually different for each manufacturer's products. It is clear that they do not carry anything useful, but excessive amount the same sugar leads to diabetes and vascular problems.

To understand the action of the ingredients, you need to learn about each of them in more detail.

Caffeine

Caffeine has long been known for its psychoactive and tonic properties. It contains adenosine, which suppresses communication with the central nervous system, due to which a person is not aware of fatigue. Under the influence of caffeine, adrenaline is produced, which supports and even increases energy resources, as well as mental activity.

The disadvantages of coffee lie in the depletion of the central nervous system, restless sleep or insomnia, physical addiction problems with the cardiovascular system. To prevent this from happening, it is enough to drink no more than two or three small cups of coffee or one can of energy drink per day.

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid produced as a result of the metabolism of cysteine ​​and methionine. It is found in food (especially meat and fish), so a person even unconsciously consumes the necessary dose of the substance per day.

In energy drinks, the concentration of taurine exceeds 3180 mg / l, taking into account a daily dose of 400 mg / l. This amino acid is harmless to the body, but as an energy drink component, it simply "takes place" without any benefit.

It is added because of "rapid stimulation of brain activity and usefulness for cell membranes," according to marketers. But in fact, scientific evidence for such loud words has not been found.

Ginseng

Ginseng extract increases physical endurance, improves mood and human memory, stimulates psychomotor activity, mental activity. In general, this is a very useful plant that is added to many teas and various liquids.

There is no need to talk about the cons. One can only take into account the fact that during laboratory studies, scientists were unable to confirm or refute both the positive and negative sides of ginseng use.

B vitamins

Energy drinks also contain vitamins of group B, the amount of which exceeds the daily dose by 360% -2000%. However, you should not grab your heart, because unnecessary vitamins are excreted in the “classical” way and do not affect the body. negative impact. But their presence in drinks is not justified in the same way as taurine.

They also play the role of "baits" on which the consumer is led. After all, all of us, having heard the word “vitamins”, consider the product useful, right? Marketers skillfully manipulate this. Alas, the desired effect is not expected.

Guarana

Guarana is an analogue of caffeine, extracted from the seeds of the Amazonian creeper. The properties of this substance are similar to those of caffeine, only the effectiveness is several times higher. For an approximate calculation, 40 mg of caffeine is equated to 1 g of guarana.

Energy producers combine both components to prolong the effect and make it as strong as possible. Thanks to this symbiosis, the body can stay awake for up to 5 hours without feeling tired. But then she will descend in full dress, forcing you to fall asleep on the go.

Benefit

It cannot be said that energy drinks are not useful at all, otherwise they would not have become so in demand. The main argument “for” is the opportunity to cheer up and “find access” to the active work of the brain, sources of inspiration.

Pleases the time for which such an effect is achieved. It comes almost instantly and lasts at least three hours. For example, coffee or tea are not so effective, because they begin to act after 15 minutes, adding vigor for no more than an hour.

Another plus is ease of use. Just open a can and drink, even while driving. Coffee is usually consumed hot, so such tricks will not work with it - unless a thermos helps. In any case, the energy drink invigorates much better than coffee, tea or special medications.

Harm and contraindications

The harm of energy drinks outweighs the benefits. They are like a small bomb, which, when exploding, causes damage to all body systems. This is a carbonated sweet, which contains a lot of harmful or meaningless ingredients.

At a minimum, such a cocktail leads to the formation of caries, an increase in blood sugar, and a decrease in immunity. It depletes the nervous system, the consequences of which are poor health, decreased performance, loss of strength, irritability, and depression.

• with gastritis, pancreatitis, ulcer;
• To old people;
• pregnant women;
• with increased excitability and sleep disorders;
• children and adolescents;
• suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system, glaucoma, pressure problems;
• with sensitivity to caffeine.

Side effects from excessive intake of energy drinks are palpitations, trembling in the limbs, fatigue, drowsiness. And an overdose leads to cardiac arrest and death or coma.

Scientists have found that the "killer" dose is 15-25 cans of liquid. The difference depends on the endurance of the body, the frequency of taking invigorating cocktails, even a person's weight. Therefore, you should not lean on energy, even if you urgently need to cheer up.

How to use without harm to health

Despite all the warnings, energy drinks can be drunk without harm to health. To do this, it is enough to follow daily dose substances - 2-3 cans. If you do not exceed it and allow the body to recover after taking the "potion", its effect will be neutralized.

You should not use it after playing sports, because the pressure will rise to dangerous levels. It is also undesirable to drink other drinks containing caffeine within 3-5 hours after taking the energy drink.

Do not mix energy drinks and alcohol. Although the effect of the cocktail removes any inhibitions, relaxes the mind, tones the body - this all happens only in the first few hours. Then there is a malfunction in the brain, the pressure rises, even a hypertensive crisis is possible.

conclusions

Energy drinks still bring more harm than good. The essence lies in their principle of action, because they do not bring energy, but take it out of the body's resources, take them, as it were, in advance. Therefore, in the future, when the miracle effect passes, the mind begins to slow down, and the body feels desperate fatigue, apathy, drowsiness.

Frequent use invigorating drinks leads to various diseases, and an overdose - to death or coma. To reduce the harm from energy drinks, it is worth drinking no more than two or three cans per day. In this case, it is undesirable to drink coffee, tea or other liquids containing caffeine.

The answer to the main question "Is it possible to drink energy drinks?" - Yes, when you urgently need to recharge your batteries. But it is advisable to do this at least once a week, so that the body has time to “cleanse itself”. Every day to use energy cocktails it is forbidden. And it is important to monitor your own well-being in order to stop at the right time.

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Man has always cheered himself up with various energy substances and drinks, without too much burdening yourself with thoughts about their benefits and harms. And if before it was natural products, such as coca leaves, various synthesized energy drinks are wildly successful among today's youth.

The harm of energy drinks does not bother them in the least, and the extension of the time for enjoyment at a party or disco takes precedence over the understanding that the consequences of such fun will sooner or later make themselves felt.

Older people, on the contrary, tend to exaggerate the danger, but their concern is really justified. A string of deaths caused by an overdose or combination of energy drinks with alcohol or soft drugs has forced the governments of some countries to decide to outright ban or allow the sale of energy drinks only in pharmacy chains.

What are energy drinks

Energy drinks are, as a rule, carbonated drinks, the components of which have a stimulating effect on the nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine systems and cause a feeling of a surge of strength and a feeling of cheerfulness from 1 to 2-3 hours.

Doctors say that taking even one allowable dose of energy drinks has such an invigorating effect on the adult body, but after the decline in euphoria, a mandatory 3-4 hour rest is necessary.

The era of modern energy drinks began with the strengthening of the famous Taiwanese tonic Krating Daeng by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz with modern chemical derivatives. As a result of this "adaptation" and aggressive advertising, the Red Bull energy drink conquered the youth on all continents.

But Red Bull did not long remain a monopoly in this sector of the market. Coca-Cola and Pepsi immediately joined the production of energy drinks. Each of the TMs has got its own energy drinks - Adrenaline Rush, Burn, AMP and NOS.

Other competing energy drinks are not as popular on the domestic market, but their effect on the body is no less dangerous. Among them - red devil, Non-Stop, B-52, Tiger, Jaguar, Revo, Hype, Rockstar, Monster, Frappuccino and Cocaine. The latter turned out to be so harmful that its release in the United States was banned twice. However, Reduz Beverages is not going to stop production, and the Cocaine energy drink can be freely bought in online stores.

Are energy drinks harmful? Yes, the negative impact of energy drinks on the body has been proven. However, manufacturers convince of their harmlessness, if you drink 1, maximum 2 cans per day. But even here, some companies resort to forbidden tricks that can have deadly consequences. For example, Mountain Dew Amp, an energy drink company, decided to give twice as much energy - this energy drink is sold only in 0.66 liter cans.

Components of energy drinks and isotonics

Purely technically, power engineers are categorized as " Nutritional supplements". This is what allows manufacturers not to indicate the exact composition of the energy drink, and therefore intoxication and overdose of energy drinks has become a common problem.

In fact, all energy drinks consist of the same components - caffeine, taurine, glucose. To these “three whales”, each of the manufacturers adds components that enhance the stimulating effect of energy drinks on the body - ginseng or Chinese magnolia vine, extract from guarana seeds, melatonin, matein, as well as vitamins B, C and PP. It is this combination of active ingredients that causes the harm of energy drinks for teenagers.

For your information, in a can of Red Bull (0.33l) daily allowance glucose is exceeded by 300 times, vitamin B6 by 2.5 times, vitamin B12 by 50%, and the caffeine content, as in 3 cups of strong coffee.

In addition, in the process of degradation of one of the components of the energy drink, the formation of cocaine is possible. What then can be said about how the Cocaine energy drink can act on a growing body, because its manufacturers claim a 350% superiority of all components over Red Bull.

For some reason, some teenagers are sure that when using energy drinks, some kind of energy cleansing of the body occurs. Although it is more appropriate to say here that the body will need to be cleansed of an excess of some of its components.

Some young athletes are sure that there is no difference between energy drinks and special "sports" drinks - isotonics. In fact, it is fundamental. Dry mixes or ready-made iso-osmotic drinks consist of fructose, vitamins and mineral salts, maltodextrin and an acidity regulator.

The iso-osmotic composition verified in medical laboratories helps during physical exertion - the body tolerates fluid deficiency more easily, it is maintained at a normal level water-salt balance, the supply of glycogen, vitamins and minerals is replenished. The composition, dosage and method of using isotonics are detailed on the packages.

Why are energy drinks bad for the body?

The benefits and harms of energy drinks are incomparable, especially when you consider that now it is rarely possible to meet completely healthy person. The active ingredients of energy force the body to work in a stressful state, and 2-3 hour hyperactivity leads to wear and tear of the resources of internal organs. After the end of the euphoric action of the energy drink, most experience a breakdown, irritability and depression.

If a person drank energy drinks, the following symptoms and consequences may be observed:

• caffeine and mateine ​​- tachycardia, boundary changes in blood pressure, anxiety, cardiac arrest;
• taurine - gastritis, exacerbation of ulcers, arrhythmia, increased nervousness;
• vitamin B group - redness of the skin, severe sweating, swelling of the face, dizziness, numbness and trembling in the limbs, convulsions, suffocation, increased acidity of gastric juice, blockage of the renal tubules, triggering the development of fatty degeneration of the liver, allergic reactions, urticaria, heart pain, pulmonary edema, anaphylactic shock;
• glucose, fructose - caries, obesity, diabetes;
• melatonin - nausea, vomiting, relapse of allergic diseases, exacerbation of kidney disease, epilepsy attack;
• guarana - side effects are little studied, but the signs are similar to caffeine overdose, since the seeds of the plant contain the natural pacemakers theophylline and theobromine;
• ginseng - headache, dizziness, insomnia, sharp drop Blood pressure, edema, tachycardia, fever, women may have miscarriages.

Of particular danger in the composition of energy drinks is glucuronolactone. This substance was created in the American military laboratory DARPA as part of the Supersoldier program.

In small therapeutic doses, it helps to cleanse the body of harmful substances and fight fatigue. But the amount of glucuronolactone contained in energy drinks exacerbates liver pathologies and can cause hyperglycemic coma.

In addition to the above, energy drinks can cause addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and suicidal thoughts. Long-term intake of energy drinks leads to a decrease in sexual function, psychopathization of the personality, accompanied by a sharp change in mood, incontinence of affects, and social decline.

Is it possible to get poisoned by an energy drink and is it possible to die

Any reasoning on the topic of harm or benefit of energy drinks ends with facts that, not in theory, but in practice, have proven that their intake leads to death. The sad statistics are led by 5-Hour Energy and Monster. The main cause of death is suffocation and cardiac arrest.

Death from energy drinks can occur as a result of their simultaneous use with alcoholic beverages or drugs. You can get poisoned with an energy drink when mixing it with coffee, strong tea or mate.

Undesirable consequences, up to death, have been recorded when taking energy drinks the day before, during or after sports training.

However, the dishonesty of energy drinks manufacturers can also cause death due to unintentional overdose (for example, you can drink 2 cans of energy drinks, but this does not apply to Cocaine, because its two standard cans contain a dose of 6 times the safe concentration). Many teenagers, remembering that you can drink 300-600 ml of drink, drink ten 60-ml bottles of Red Bull Shot without any fear, not realizing that they exceed allowable dose 20 times.

Who should not use energy drinks?

Despite the invented rules for the reasonable use of energy drinks, their intake is strictly prohibited to the following persons:

• pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding;
• children, adolescents under 18 and the elderly;
• hypertensive patients and people with cardiovascular diseases and thrombophlebitis;
• with renal and hepatic insufficiency, diseases of the pancreas;
• with persistent sleep disorders;
• ulcers, diabetics, epileptics;
• people suffering from glaucoma.

Healthy people should remember that the harm or benefit of drinking energy drinks will depend solely on compliance with the dosage.

How to improve performance

If the body tolerates caffeine well, but a cup of coffee is not enough, then the mixture will invigorate well instant coffee with coke.

If you have a healthy stomach, then as strong energy you can try to drink 130-150 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice. However, it is also not recommended to get involved in such homemade energy drinks.

As a means of stimulating brain activity, it is not necessary to drink caffeine-containing energy drinks. enough to buy pharmacy drug Taurine. However, before taking it, you should familiarize yourself with contraindications, and also remember that in large doses this amino acid leads to the opposite “calming” effect and inhibition of nervous processes occurs.

For people who are actively involved in sports or experiencing heavy physical exertion, it is possible to recommend taking not energy drinks, but isotonics. These energy drinks have no contraindications and contribute to a fairly rapid recovery of the body.

Energy drink ads are colorful and original. Manufacturers promise that their compositions will inspire the consumer, fill them with strength, turn either into Carlson or Superman. Power engineers are really able to help a student learn the material of the whole semester a few nights before the exam, a minibus driver or a truck driver - almost around the clock to drive a car in difficult conditions, a frequenter of discos - to dance all night long, and in the morning go to work or study.

However, doctors are less optimistic: as the popularity of energy drinks grows, serious diseases of the vessels, liver, pancreas, and nervous system become much younger. To understand the benefits and harms of energy drinks, let's look at their composition.

Types of power engineers

There are two main types of energy drinks (stimulants):

• non-alcoholic;
• low alcohol.

Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol energy drinks may contain:

• caffeine, theine, mateine ​​are alkaloids. Substances tone up, stimulate the brain, increase blood pressure, muffle the feeling of hunger;
• theobromine is an extract from cocoa beans. It is an alkaloid similar in action to caffeine;
• taurine - participates in metabolic processes, affects the lowering of blood glucose and blood pressure;
• extracts of ginseng, guarana, lemongrass, echinacea - plants that are traditionally used in traditional medicine to strengthen the body and quickly restore strength;
• carnitine - accelerates fat metabolism and increases appetite;
• melatonin - a hormone that regulates the frequency of sleep and affects the endocrine system;
• vitamins of group B - substances that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and are necessary for the correct transmission of signals between neurons;
• sweeteners and other flavorings, flavorings, food colorings, preservatives.

In addition to stimulants, isotonics (sports catalysts) are available for sale, designed for athletes who need to replenish their strength after training. Isotonics are a mixture of salts, vitamins and flavorings, powdered or diluted in water.

Features of non-alcoholic energy drinks

By carefully studying the composition of non-alcoholic energy drinks, we can conclude that they consist of only useful products. The problem is that there are too many of these substances in drinks (often several daily doses) and they combine in a very bizarre way. It is impossible to predict in advance how the body will react to a shock dose of compounds, some of which increase pressure, others lower it, and others stimulate work. endocrine system. Carbonic acid, which is a mandatory part of drinks, accelerates their absorption into the bloodstream and enhances the effect. Because of great content sweeteners immediately raises blood sugar.

All ingredients of energy drinks increase efficiency by releasing hidden reserves of the body. The benefits of energy drinks to the body are about the same as from an artificial increase in the frequency of the processor - to the computer. The processor is easy to overclock, but it will burn out much faster after that.

Alkaloids (caffeine, mateine, theobromine) are gradually addictive. A lover of energy drinks has a decrease in the natural production of adrenaline, as a result, a person, without drinking a tonic drink, feels lethargic, overwhelmed. Too much large quantities B vitamins contribute to irritability, in severe cases, hands begin to tremble, mental activity worsens. There is an addiction similar to a drug addiction.

Alcoholic energy drinks are addictive

Features of low-alcohol energy drinks

Low-alcohol energy drinks can contain up to 9% alcohol. This means that in a 250 ml aluminum can there is up to 22.5 ml of pure ethanol, in terms of vodka almost 56 ml. The same energy bank with a strength of 5% is equivalent to 31 ml of vodka.

Alcohol only at the very beginning invigorates, after 45 - 60 minutes it has a sedative effect. The tonic substances of the energy drink work for 2-3 hours. There is a neutralization of two effects: excitatory and inhibitory. Even healthy body barely copes with such a load, but the person who begins to fall asleep drinks a new portion of the energy drink.

Excessive addiction to low-alcohol energy drinks is a direct path to alcoholism. A person who deliberately uses strong alcohol, usually observes the culture of drinking: he drinks a little, savoring, snacks, tries not to exceed his own norm. But alcohol is almost not felt in energy drinks, their lover drinks can after can.

It must be remembered that low-alcohol energy drinks are not a means to stimulate working capacity, but alcoholic cocktails. IN moderate amounts they are acceptable during parties and feasts. It is better to avoid low-alcohol energy drinks with caffeine, mateine ​​and theobromine, these drinks are the most harmful.

How to choose the right energy

The benefits of energy drinks are very doubtful, but if you need to urgently restore strength, you must be guided by the following rules:

• choose non-alcoholic energy drinks containing any one tonic: either caffeine (mateine, theobromine), or plant extracts. Energy drinks with natural herbal extracts are preferred;
• you can not use more than 250-300 ml of energy per day;
• maximum allowable monthly dose - 6 aluminum cans;
• coffee, carbon dioxide and alcohol dehydrate the body. After drinking the energy drink, you need to drink at least 0.5 liters of water in several doses;
• the daily norm of caffeine is no more than 300 ml (no more than 100-120 ml at a time). You need to carefully read how much caffeine is contained in the drink. Energy drinks should not be taken with coffee or chocolate;
• choose energy from minimum content dyes and flavors (these substances are carcinogenic).

Contraindications to the use of energy drinks

It is forbidden to drink any energy drinks in case of diseases:

• of cardio-vascular system;
• endocrine system (especially in diabetes);
• gastrointestinal tract;
• liver and kidneys;
• nervous system.

Power engineers are an invention of the second half of the 20th century, and if desired, they can be easily replaced. For centuries, people have increased their efficiency by eating foods containing vitamin C: apples, citrus fruits. A mixture of apple, pumpkin and carrot juices gives you a boost of energy for the whole day. To overcome drowsiness, you can eat a chocolate bar, drink coffee or cocoa. If you want unusual taste, then at a party it is better to order a cocktail with quality alcohol. Frequent artificial stimulation of the body with energy drinks is a threat to health.