Jun 14 2008
The Health Dangers of Energy Drinks
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Energy drinks claim to provide people with increased energy levels that will keep them active & alert. Energy drinks are sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, clubs, and in some areas, even schools. Are energy drinks safe to drink? Most natural health professionals say no.
Do You Know What’s In Energy Drinks?
Most energy drinks contain at least as much caffeine as a standard eight-ounce cup of coffee (~80mg). To put it into perspective, a 12oz. soda contains 18-48mg of caffeine. In addition to large doses of caffeine, energy drinks contain excessive amounts of sugar & legal herbal stimulants.
Children in school certainly do not need to be consuming any type of beverage that contains stimulants, particularly when they are combined with sugar. Despite manufacturer claims to the contrary, marketing of energy drinks is targeted to high school kids, and adults who are under 30 years of age.
Many of you might already be aware of the basic contents mentioned above, but still aren’t exactly sure about the specific ingredients in energy drinks, and what effect those ingredients can have on your body. The following list provides some answers.
Common Energy Drink Ingredients:
- Ginseng – A root that is believed to help reduce stress and increase energy levels.
- Carnitine – An amino acid that helps to metabolize fatty acids.
- Gingko Biloba – Created from the seeds of the gingko biloba tree, it has been shown to enhance memory.
- Taurine – A natural amino acid produced by the human body. It helps to regulate normal heart-beats and muscle contractions. Its effects on people when consumed as a drink additive remain unclear.
- Inositol – A member of the B-complex Vitamin that assists in the relaying of messages between cells. Inositol is not a vitamin itself.
- Guarana Seed – A stimulant that grows in Brazil & Venezuela which contains high levels of caffeine.
The Dangers of Drinking Energy Drinks
Given this list of ingredients, it is fairly easy to see that energy drinks are a deceptive combination of soft drink and psuedo-nutritional supplement. The largest problem with them is that people tend to abuse them, drinking more than one at a time, or mixing them with alcohol.
My main concern with the use of the herbs in these drinks is their source. The mass manufacturers of energy drinks are not required by law to list whether or not the herbs they use, have been sprayed with toxic pesticides, irradiated or watered with contaminated water supplies, so there is no telling what other toxins are contained in these drinks and whether or not these herbs will have a negative effect on the body.
The caffeine that is found in energy drinks is dangerous enough on its own. Not only is caffeine addictive, it acts as both a stimulant and a diuretic. As a stimulant, caffeine can make you have anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, and insomnia.
When consumed in large or regular quantities, caffeine can also make you jittery or irritable. As a diuretic, caffeine causes your kidneys to remove extra fluid from your body. If you consume energy drinks while sweating, these effects can be particularly dangerous because you can become severely dehydrated quickly.
Many younger people have started mixing energy drinks with alcohol because it makes them feel alert and energetic, even when they are drunk. Because alcohol and caffeine dehydrate our bodies, especially after a night of dancing. There have been many instances, where energy drinks mixed with alcohol has caused severe dehydration.
Because so much additional research needs to be done on the other ingredients found in energy drinks, I recommend all people avoid drinking energy drinks, they only ad more toxins to an already toxin burdened body and decrease our bodies internal water supply and natural detoxification processes.
The bottom line concerning energy drinks is that medical professionals simply do not know the long-term effects of consuming these beverages. It is known, however, that large amounts of sugar and caffeine are harmful to our bodies. For people to utilize energy drinks during exercise or other strenuous activity compounds the problem of dehydration, and does nothing to provide the body with any necessary nutrients or fluids.
December 3rd, 2008 at 7:56 am
My daughter (age 18) was rushed to the hospital yesterday. They diagnosed kidney stones. There is no family history. She is CONSTANTLY drinking these energy drinks. Is there any research that shows a correlation between energy drinks and kidney stones?
November 20th, 2008 at 3:22 am
What are the dangers of drinking 5 mothers in 5 minutes please reply.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:55 am
I always knew energy drinks are bad for you! Thanks!
November 18th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Hello Edward,
Kind regards,
We have an article on the negative effects of health drinks. I included your link, if that’s okay, if not please let me know.
I remain sincerely,
George
November 13th, 2008 at 9:12 am
My 14 year old daughter told me by telephone that at 6:30 am she was on a sugar high after drinking monster drinks with her peer’s the night before. I asked her if she had slept and she said know while laughing and seeming very awake!
Are the children doing anything creative with this drink or just drinking massive qty’s?
Gold Digger replied on November 13th, 2008:
I hate to be the one to tell you this but I think she’s doing a little more than just Monster drinks.
November 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Doctor, What about XS? XS is sugar free, same amount of caffeine as in 1 coke, and high b-12 vitamins.
Admin replied on November 18th, 2008:
Although XS is sugar free it still contains toxic artificial sweeteners and preservatives and most likely synthetic B-Vitamins. I personally would never consume this drink..
Dr. G
October 24th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Locky B – click my name for some info that might help you out.
October 21st, 2008 at 1:01 am
My name is Lachlan, I’m a high school student, currently doing my HSC exams. i have recently been having the New ‘Mother’ energy drink on a regular basis, almost daily, i am only halfway through my exams and have been experiencing chest pain, particularly on the left hand side, since several of the people who have posted replies are Doctors i was wondering in your medical opinion if this sounds like a heart problem in the making. I plan to use the drinks only until my exams are over, then to be rid of them forever, but i’m starting to wonder if the extra vitality and alertness these drinks provide me for study is worth any possible repurcussions. Any links to sites with relevant information would be a blessing. thanks for listening.
Lachlan
October 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Bah.
Dont pay any attention to the spam ads for the MLM people pushing their crappy energy drinks. One claims to be the “healthiest energy drink on the planet” because they took a normal red bull and added a few extra artificial vitamins and a bunch of b.s. “herbal supplements” which have zero scientific credibility. Another that claims to be better than the rest because of “no added caffeine” but disguises its caffeine content by using “guarana” and “green tea extract” which are just caffeine from another source.
click my name for a ton of useful health/fitness/nutrition info & tools.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
i am never ganna drink energy drinks again scince i read this infarmation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:33 am
i have always loved energy drinks but i don’t see how there bad for you if there are more good ingriediants in energy drinks than bad things j dog out
September 19th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Great site and Info…
September 13th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I am not a doctor and I don’t pretend to be one but I have the capacity like many to do research and form an educated opinion.
Americans in particular have an unhealthy obsession with many things unhealthy (excuse the pun). In fact America alone consumes 70 Million energy drinks on a daily basis.
A coffee for many in the morning provides a kick start to the day, whether it be healthy or not and just like alcohol around the world, it is consumed by many and sometimes in unhealthy proportions.
For those who don’t enjoy coffee, a similar effect is achieved with the consumption of an energy drink.
Alcohol, coffee and energy drinks, along with untold other ‘unhealthy’ products are here to stay and for many, their consumption levels will increase atleast for the medium term.
For those of us who need an energy boost, we could do ourselves a favor.
ACT energy drink http;//www.actenergyfluid is one of the healthiest in it’s field.
Research will show that refined sugars can be bad, caffeine has bad characteristics and the list goes on. This product is all natural, has no added caffeine, nor artificial sweeteners. And best of all, if you are like me and need that energy kick in the morning whether it be bad for you, to a degree or not…this is probably not a bad alternative energy drink.
Yes it has Taurine and there is much controversy over the effects of Taurine as discussed in many of these types of forums…
And no, it will never be considered the perfect energy drink- but it gets much closer than most!
August 12th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Caffeine containing drinks and other such temporary stimulants are not safe. As per my view, never ever start to drink these drinks. they gradually & completely damage your health and well being. All these are marketing tactics, they also completely deprive your esential nutrients and other bioactives consumed by you. This message is for all readers” Do you know that there is much link between the absorption and its effect on synergy between natural ingredients etc., and vitamins minerals and other bioactives you take in to the system in natural form and the other bad synthetic ingredients(all synthetically prepared foods) like MSG. Never ever try to take for thrill or feel proud to take these products.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Energy Drinks are definitely not healthy for you. Like the above article states, Energy Drinks are nothing more than a big dose of sugar & caffeine in a can.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:10 am
There is one energy drink that doesn’t fit the mold…Verve!! It’s insanely healthy, with 12 vitamins, 65 trace minerals, organic aloe vera, decaf green tea extract and whole fruit mangosteen! The sugar used is fructose-not much different than, say, eating an apple, and contains 80mg of caffeine. It’s amazing. Check it out for yourself at Verve!
Dr. Edward Group replied on July 30th, 2008:
Thank you for your comment. You are right that Verve is much better than most energy drinks but the body needs and wants only water (after breastfeeding). Verve is also using synthetic vitamins in their formula and for the sugar-free version they are using sucralose which is a massive concern and toxic compound to the body. If they need help with their formulation they can contact me.
Dr. G
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
I wrote a research paper on caffeine and energy drinks.. bad bad bad stuff….
paul replied on September 29th, 2008:
I am too. It is horrible stuff. Can’t beleive people drink it.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:56 pm
What about all of the Vitamin B in many of them? While most B Vitamins don’t have tolerable upper levels – there are a couple that do and those vitamins are in many energy drinks in large doses. If you are drinking more than one a day (I know a lot of people who do) you could be taking two – three times more of that vitamin than you should have in your system with unknown consequences.
Dr. Edward Group replied on July 25th, 2008:
Hi Maria,
Most of the Vitamin B used in over the counter supplements and drinks is actually synthetically produced and is actually harmful to the body. Just one more toxin added to the drinks most people consume. I recommend using
B-12 in the methylcobalamin form. Thanks for the comment..
Dr. G
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Mr Edward F. Group, your are not a qualified physician. Please stop posing as one. Your ‘doctorate’ in chiropractic is not a real doctorate.
Dr. Edward Group replied on July 24th, 2008:
Hi Dr. Riviera,
It saddens me to hear such things from another doctor. My job and mission is to help as many people as I can and share information with the world which I believe is accurate. I do not ask people to believe what I say, I only provide them with information so they can research and make informed decisions on their own. I hope that all of us in the natural medicine field will someday support each other and work together as a team to bring health and wellbeing back to the planet.
If we all stick together we can make much more progress than if we spend our time looking to find fault and attack each other. I graduated and earned my doctorate degree from Texas Chiropractic College in 1998. It is my opinion that a real “doctorate” is what the true definition of a doctor really is: A teacher! A true doctor is one who teaches people how to heal themselves and who addresses the root cause of disease, not someone who addresses the symptoms of disease.
What doctors are taught in schools is not the answer for healing disease – otherwise we would not have so much disease today – we must look outside the box and look for the root cause of disease, which in my opinion is toxic overload from genetically modified foods, pesticides, meat, dairy, soy, white flour, table salt, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate), microwaved foods, refined sugar, artificial sweeteners, air, water, caffeine, alcohol, electromagnetic radiation, heavy metals, harmful organisms, industrial chemicals, prescription drugs, stress and more.. I also find it hard to judge someone who I have never met face to face or someone who I have not fully researched. I would be happy to meet with you and share with you my research and my ideas for making the world a healthier place to live. I would also like to send you a free copy of my latest book “Health Begins in the Colon” which I think would be a great edition to your library and also to your patients. Please let me know where to send it. You can also call my office at 713-476-0016 to speak with me if you have further doubts about my credibility or the success we have had helping thousands of people regain their health.
I send you many blessings and hope that you have a happy and healthy life,
Dr. G
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Energy Drinks scare me. I’ve never had the taste for energy drinks and I’ve always had the feeling that because of the amount of sugar & caffeine, they can’t be very good for you.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 am
Corn Syrup, the Crack Cocaine of the sugar world
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:26 am
Least Detrimental Energy Drink:
Monster Sugar Free
Why? – It has half the caffeine (80 mg) than most energy drinks, which brings the two servings per can equal to about two cups of strong coffee. Unfortunately, it does contain aspartame, but, if you’re like me and don’t use a lot of artificial sweeteners to begin with, the occasional intake of aspartame is worth it. The opposite option of taking all of that corn syrup causes the massive rise then drop in blood sugar which counteracts the energizing effects after-all.
I need to just find an energy supplement with Ginseng, Carnitine, Gingko Biloba, and Inositol instead. Avoid the whole evil sugar/caffeine combo.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:04 am
what about gatorade? i heard one of its ingredients is simular to that used in embalming dead people is this true and whats the name of the ingredient?
Dr. Edward Group replied on July 31st, 2008:
Thank you for your comment! Gatorade contains water, table sugar (sucrose), citric acid, monopotassium phosphate, glucose-fructose syrups, sodium chloride (table salt), sodium citrate and flavoring/coloring ingredients. (all pretty much toxic to the body). However, in 2006 the drink was remade with some more added ingredients like monosaccharides and carbohydrates. Because of these added ingredients Gatorade claimed that the drink rehydrated athletes better than water and also, the flavour added made it more convenient to drink. If you drink a whole bottle of Gatorade you are consuming about 56 grams of sugar — this is not required in a normal sedentary lifestyle — and in this situation it could be considered “bad” for you. An interesting article can be found explaining how mixing Gatorade and other compounds can be fatal. http://www.rense.com/general38/mother.htm
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
There really are alot of energy drink dangers. I personally have always been a bit timid to drink energy drinks.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Did you know that Taurine is commonly sold in pills/capsules as well? I didn’t know it either, and I was looking in the vitamin section at my local grocery store, and there they were.
Taurine is one of the main ingredients in Energy Drinks, and I had never even heard of it until I drank a Monster Energy Drink.
(but I only drink energy drinks when I’m hungover)
IanS replied on July 23rd, 2008:
That’s really smart [not] getting so drunk, abusing whatever chemical, that you’re hung over then using stimulants to relieve it, you could well be on a slppery slope..
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I’ve always been a big believer that drinking an excessive amount of energy drinks is detrimental to your health. Not only are you pumping in a vast amount of caffeine & taurine… your sugar intake is also skyrocketing through the roof.
If anything… just think of the amount of sugar you are consuming, that’s enough to make me think twice.