By Sawera Akram (BS Biochemistry)     

Effects of energy drinks on human health

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 Abstract

Energy drinks have both positive and negative effects on human health. The negative effects impede the positive effects. Caffeine and glucose are the most harmful ingredients of energy drinks. 

Introduction

The energy drinks most commonly used today are fortified beverages that contain additional dietary supplements like guarana, ginseng, bitter orange, etc. Although these ingredients help boost the metabolism but these also have certain adverse effects on human health.

 

Effects of ingredients

 Ginseng

Ginseng is considered to stimulate the immune system, enhance the stamina and it also helps to reduce stress. The most important function of ginseng lies in its use in therapy to improve the cognitive functions that help to enhance concentration and memory.

Despite all these benefits, ginseng can impose adverse effects on health such as insomnia, headache, palpitations, and hypertension. It also has estrogen-like effects on women, which can lead to amenorrhea and vaginal bleeding.

 Taurine

Taurine plays some important physiological roles in the body such as the formation of bile acid conjugates that are involved in the formation of micelles and also fat absorption.

However, taurine has not been seen to cause any adverse effects on health.

 Bitter orange

The components of bitter orange have similarities with the human hormone epinephrine and norepinephrine. Although Bitter orange can be used for the treatment of nasal congestion, inflammation, bruises, and retinal hemorrhage, when it is used with other stimulants such as those present in energy drinks, it can cause severe effects on the cardiovascular system. It can cause myocardial infarction, stroke, migraine, and headache.

 Guarana 

Guarana is involved in the increase in neurotransmitters such as dopamine.

It can also cause negative effects on the body such as insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and restlessness.

 Caffeine

Caffeine is involved in the stimulation of the central nervous system, heart, and skeletal muscles and thus leads to an increase in metabolic activity of the individual.

However, adverse effects associated with caffeine include dehydration because caffeine is a diuretic. Moreover, it can also cause insomnia, gastric irritation, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and restlessness.

 Glucose

Glucose is the energy source for brain cells, red blood cells, and all other cells of the body and is also required for the normal functioning of the body. However, a high intake of glucose can lead to abnormal metabolism and ultimately result in diabetes.

 Conclusion

Although energy drinks have some benefits for human health, but their adverse effects overcome their benefits. The amount of metabolism-boosting ingredients present in the energy drinks is very small to produce any beneficial effects in the human body. However, even small amounts of glucose and caffeine can lead to severe consequences. 

 Reference

Clauson, Kevin A., et al. "Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks." Journal of the American Pharmacists Association 48.3 (2008): e55-e67

Author's Details

Sawera Akram

BS (Hons.)

Department of Biochemistry, GC University, Faisalabad.

Reviewed & Edited by

M.Ahsan ul haq

M.Phil Scholar

Department of Biochemistry, GC University, Faisalabad.