Zuni OnLine Health

The Health Risks of Energy Drinks

by John Miller, MD
Zuni IHS Hospital

Energy drinks are now in the mainstream of US diet and culture. The first marketed energy drink was Gatorade. Developed thirty years ago, Gatorade is much more common now than in the past years. At the same time, there are many new brands are in the stores, including Red Bull and Full Throttle to name a few. These drinks have moved beyond use chiefly by hardcore athletes toward a more mainstream market consisting of recreational athletes and even non-athletes, who believe that energy drinks are healthier than conventional soft drinks. Many people pay to drink them as they might drink water.

Improved performance in athletes
Among professional and amateur athletes, it may well be true that energy food and drinks can help boost performance. A recent study found that caffeinated sports drinks increased the body’s absorption rate of carbohydrates, reducing their reliance on stored energy reserves. This may help performance more in endurance events like long distance running than in a short power events.

Health risks - even for athletes
We should all be aware of the health risks of energy drinks, even to athletes. Most of the health problems are related to the caffeine in energy drinks. Teens and children may have disturbed sleeping patterns, suffer bed-wetting and show symptoms of anxiety from ingesting the caffeine in just one can of energy drink. Some people are especially sensitive to caffeine and develop tremors, sleep disturbances, stomach upset following consumption of less than one can.

Caffeine is a stimulant.
The sudden jolt caused by caffeine can be enough to trigger a heart attack in people with pre-existing heart conditions. People with diabetes are at increased risk. Pregnant women are also advised to avoid high-caffeine beverages. During the first three months of pregnancy, consuming even small amounts of caffeine is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.

Increased weight gain in non-athletes
Energy drinks can cause weight gain and worsen a person’s diabetes. A recent study found that caffeinated energy drinks cause greater weight gain in non-athletes then carbonated soft drinks. Energy drinks have similar calories and sugar as normal soft drinks – the equivalent of ten teaspoons of sugar per can. The study participants’ bodies converted the sugar in a caffeinated energy drink to fat significantly faster than they converted the sugar in a normal soft drink.

We have seen it here at the hospital. People switch from normal soft drinks to energy drinks because they think energy drinks are better for them. Many employers will supply energy drinks to people working outdoors or in construction. As a result, many people’s weight and hemoglobin Alc labs have gone up . A better option is to stay hydrated by drinking water. Water is zero calories and no sugar.

Diabetes problems and other concerns

Non-athletes and people with obesity and diabetes should treat energy drinks as they do normal soft drinks. Energy drinks cause increased weight gain, and can worsen a person’s diabetes. Even athletes should use energy drinks with caution. The health risks – sleep problems, anxiety, and even heart attack -are very real.

Courtesy of the Zuni Post

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