Discover 5 Reasons to Avoid Drinking Energy Drinks

They have become part of everyday life for those seeking extra energy to study, work and exercise, but they come with health risks.

Over the last decade, energy drink consumption has increased in Brazil. In 2021, the last year with updated data from the Brazilian Association of Soft Drinks and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Industries (Abir)Brazilians ate 22% more of these products than in 2020, when consumption was already 16.5% higher than the previous year.

These drinks concentrate substances that stimulate the central nervous system and, for this reason, are often used to ward off sleep and increase energy. It is not surprising, they have gained space in the routine of those who have busy days. But ingestion worries doctors, as it has consequences on health. See some of them below.

1. They pose risks to the heart

Because they contain substances that stimulate the central nervous system, energy drinks They also have an impact on the functioning of the cardiovascular system. In the short term, i.e. at the time of consumption, they cause an increase in heart rate, which can lead to arrhythmias.

In the long term, when consumption is frequent, energy drinks can lead to symptoms of hypertensionpopularly known as high blood pressure. When uncontrolled, hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and can cause heart attack, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and heart failure.

Therefore, the drink is contraindicated for patients who already suffer from cardiovascular diseases, such as those with a history of heart attack, heart failure, hypertension or arrhythmia, especially those with difficulty controlling the condition.

“Another important point in relation to the intake of energy drinks is that there is always a consumption associated with alcoholic beverages, so we will enhance two substances that are mainly related to arrhythmia”, warns Jorge Koroishi, cardiologist at the Hospital Hcor.

He emphasizes that it is necessary to pay attention to three aspects: avoid combining it with alcohol, maintain hydration with water and, finally, pay attention to the dose of caffeine ingested: the recommendation of health organizations is to limit caffeine consumption to a maximum of 400 mg per day and each can of energy drink contains, on average, 80 mg.

2. They can cause sleep problems

Precisely because of the presence of caffeine, energy drinks inhibit the effect of adenosine, a modulator of the activity of the central nervous system which, when accumulated, causes drowsiness.

In the short term, this may be the desired effect. However, excessive consumption of energy drinks can cause sleepaccording to biomedical scientist Gabriel Pires, a member of the Brazilian Sleep Association (ABS). “When I start overdoing it with energy drinks, my sleep becomes more and more disturbed and over time I may develop insomnia“, he explains. Therefore, this type of drink is contraindicated for people who have sleep problems.

Even for people without sleep disorders, Pires recommends avoiding energy drinks, and if the person still wants to consume the drink, he advises not to drink it every day and to always monitor the dose. According to the biomedical scientist, there is no clear recommendation on how much energy drink is safe, since the total amount of caffeine and taurine varies greatly from brand to brand.

Another important precaution is to avoid drinking after mid-afternoon. “Since I can’t sleep because of the side effects of the energy drink, I’ll have a terrible night and wake up tired the next day. So, I force myself to take more energy drinks to get through the day and then we enter a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation and wake stimulation.”

It is worth remembering that sleep deprivation can lead to memory problems, impaired attention and concentration, as well as promoting the development of chronic diseases.

3. Accelerate tooth wear

There are other substances that make up energy drinks, such as phosphoric acid and citric acid, which are erosive agents. They reduce the pH of saliva, making it more acidic and contributing to demineralization. teeth.

In addition, the presence of caffeine can also contribute to this process. Thanks to its diuretic action, it reduces salivation, which also promotes wear.

“This tooth that wears down daily may no longer be present,” warns dentist José Todescan Júnior, recalling that, unlike the skin, which repairs itself after being scratched, the worn layer of the tooth does not reform.

There are also some energy drinks that contain sugarwhich can facilitate the development of cavities. In this scenario, patients with bruxism, tooth decay, and tooth lesions should not consume this type of beverage.

Those without problems mouth They should also avoid energy drinks and, when they consume them, take some precautions. “What is recommended is, at least 30 minutes before consuming this drink, brush your teeth with an amino fluoride toothpaste. When drinking, use a straw, which will slightly reduce tooth erosion, and after drinking, consume a food rich in calcium,” advises the specialist.

4. Increase the risk of chronic disease

Energy drinks also increase your calorie and sugar intake, as they often contain high amounts of added sugars.

As a result, they lead to an imbalance between the daily consumption of the various macronutrients necessary for adequate nutrition, according to Fulvio Clemo Santos Tomaselli, director of the Department of Food Sciences. Endocrinology of Sport and Exercise of the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology (SBEM).

If ingested frequently, they are associated with a higher risk of obesity. In this way, together with the problems of Heart and the sleep deprivation they can cause, energy drinks increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes.

5. They are associated with psychological suffering

Scientific research found links between frequent consumption of energy drinks and an increased risk of health problems mental healthlike anxiety and panic.

Stimulation of the central nervous system by these products can also increase the psychological suffering characteristic of humans. depressionsuicidal thoughts and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Furthermore, if consumed by young people up to 21 years of ageThese drinks appear to lead to a greater propensity for other unhealthy behaviors, such as smoke and increased intake of alcoholic beverage.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.