Gastroenterologist Ekaterina Kashukh has warned there is no safe dose of energy drinks because they trick the brain while exhausting the body, RT reported.
Kashukh, an expert at the Gemotest laboratory, explained that caffeine in energy drinks enters the human bloodstream almost instantly compared to regular coffee. This rapid absorption forces the heart to beat faster and causes blood pressure to rise quickly.
According to the medical expert, the brain receives a false signal of vigor because the beverage simply turns off body fatigue sensors rather than adding actual strength. A person feels a sudden surge of activity even though their body is physically exhausted. When the effect of the stimulant ends, a sharp slump follows, marked by severe drowsiness, irritability, and a reduced ability to concentrate.
Physical Risks and Health Consequences
For individuals prone to anxiety, these sharp physical fluctuations can trigger panic attacks, Kashukh warned. She added that energy drinks can irritate the stomach mucosa. When mixed with alcohol, the beverages create a heavily increased burden on the liver, heart, and pancreas. High sugar content also causes spikes in blood glucose and increases the risk of developing diabetes, while the drinks themselves cause addiction.
Energy drinks are widely consumed carbonated beverages containing high concentrations of caffeine, sugar, and dietary supplements intended to boost mental and physical alertness. Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant, temporarily blocking fatigue signaling in the brain. Gastroenterology is the medical specialty studying the digestive system and related organs, while Gemotest is a major medical diagnostics network operating laboratories across Russia.
Consumption Warnings and Political Reaction
Kashukh concluded that no safe level of energy drink consumption exists. She emphasized that attempting to replace full sleep or routine rest with energy drinks inevitably leads to an accumulation of negative consequences for all body systems.
Concerns surrounding the beverages have also drawn attention from high-level officials in Russia. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, previously described energy drinks as quite nasty stuff.
Medvedev, who served as President of Russia from 2008 to 2012 and later as Prime Minister, made his comments during broader discussions regarding public health standards and youth welfare.
