How to remove energy drinks from the body. Are the harms of energy drinks exaggerated? Why are energy drinks harmful?

The composition of energy drinks includes: caffeine, taurine, carnitine, ginseng, guarana, B vitamins, mateine. Thanks to its composition, when drunk it gives a person energy and a feeling of vigor. Drinks with a high caffeine content help cope with drowsiness, and vitamin-carbohydrate energy drinks increase endurance during physical activity.

The drink has a convenient package, so it can be taken in situations where you cannot drink tea or coffee.

Thanks to the high content of vitamins and glucose, the energy drink stimulates vital processes in the body, gives energy to the brain, internal organs and muscles. Its effect is enhanced by the presence of carbon dioxide in the composition and lasts up to four hours.

Negative effects of energy drinks on the body

Medical studies have proven that energy drinks have a negative effect on the human body. If you consume more than two cans a day, this will lead to a significant increase in blood pressure and sugar levels, which can trigger the development of serious diseases - diabetes and hypertension.

Energy drinks are popular among nightclub lovers, students preparing for exams, workaholics, athletes, and drivers. Many people consider these drinks harmless, because even a child can purchase them without restrictions. However, doctors are sounding the alarm - energy drinks pose a serious danger.

The main natural elements of energy drinks have been used by humanity for hundreds of years to stimulate the nervous system. However, their excessive consumption can lead to dangerous consequences.

Instructions

Students see energy drinks as a salvation during a session, office workers use them when they are unable to meet deadlines, fitness trainers use them to set new records, and they help drivers stay awake on the road. But despite the assurances of manufacturers that their products only bring benefits, this is not entirely true. Many components of energy drinks are prohibited in developed countries of the world, and their excessive consumption can lead to irreversible consequences.

Energy drinks contain caffeine. Excessive consumption puts extra strain on the heart, causing palpitations, shortness of breath and nervousness. You should not exceed the permissible dose, which is contained in two cans of energy drink.

Energy drinks do not provide energy, but use the latent energy of the human body. Therefore, after taking such drinks, the body needs rest and time to recuperate.

Energy drinks should not be consumed after physical activity or sports training. They increase blood pressure, which needs to be normalized after exercise.

Under no circumstances should energy drinks be consumed by pregnant women, children, the elderly, as well as people who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, sleep disorders, glaucoma, increased excitability and hypersensitivity to caffeine.

One of the worst mistakes when using

Tip 7: What drinks help you get rid of extra pounds?

Dieting is not easy. But we go to great lengths to get rid of excess weight. Nutritionists are in a hurry to please: now the problem can be solved with the help of healthy drinks that you can prepare yourself.

Dandelion tea

Preparing your figure for summer begins in the spring. And this is where dandelion tea comes to the rescue. Fill a liter jar with flowers without leaves and pour boiling water over them. Add a couple of spoons of honey and leave the resulting mixture to steep in a cool place for 4 hours. This drink will perfectly replace regular tea, cleanse the body of harmful substances, improve health, and, most importantly, get rid of extra pounds. Just be careful! Dandelion tea is a strong diuretic.

Pineapple juice

It has a rich fruity taste and perfectly quenches thirst. Of course, it can be purchased at any supermarket. But it's better to cook it yourself. To do this, peel one pineapple and squeeze the juice from the pulp. Dilute with a little cold water. This drink will remove excess fluid from the body and regulate metabolism. Thus, it will be useful for your figure.

Sassi water

This miracle drink is rich in vitamins and is great for those who cannot diet. To prepare it, take two liters of cold water, add the juice of one lemon, finely chopped cucumber, mint leaves and a few pieces of ginger root. Infuse this cocktail in the refrigerator for 15 hours. You need to drink sassi water for four days, 8 glasses each. Then it is better to take a break for a week or two.

Lemon with ginger

This is a fairly simple cocktail that anyone can make for themselves in the morning. Add lemon juice and chopped ginger root to a glass of water to taste. If desired, the drink can be cooled with a few ice cubes. Ginger is a great helper in the fight against excess weight. Lemon regulates kidney function, metabolism, and cleanses the body of toxins. Such a useful tandem of products will definitely help you achieve your desired figure.

Honey with cinnamon

Another magical cocktail that will help you get rid of extra pounds. Add a tablespoon of honey and a level teaspoon of cinnamon to a glass of water. Drink this drink in the morning half an hour before breakfast. Cinnamon normalizes digestion and metabolism. And replacing sugar with honey is generally good for your health and figure.

Important! Before experimenting with drinks, seek advice from specialists. You may have intolerance to certain foods. This can cause an unpleasant reaction in the body and will only complicate the situation.

Energy drinks are non-alcoholic or low-alcohol drinks that have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. After the first jar you drink, you will experience long-awaited relief and the ability to work at an accelerated pace. This is a real salvation for a student, office worker, athlete, driver, nightclub visitor, as well as simply tired people who want to tone up their body. Everyone thinks that energy drinks are a modern invention. However, many of their constituent components have been used as stimulants since ancient times.

But few people know that an overdose of energy drinks leads to a rapid depletion of the body's resources. Let's take a closer look at this issue and find out whether energy drinks are harmful or beneficial to the body? What are the symptoms of an overdose of energy drinks and what first aid methods will be needed if necessary.

Composition of energy drinks

Energy drink manufacturers insist that their drinks are only beneficial and are coming up with new flavors every day. What are the active ingredients in energy drinks?

1. Caffeine. This component is included in almost all energy drinks. Acts on the body as a stimulant.
2. Taurine. One can of the drink contains 400–1000 mg of the substance. This is a sulfonic acid that accumulates in muscle tissue. Used as a dietary supplement. It is credited with antioxidant properties. According to medical data, taurine has no effect on the body.
3. L-carnitine. Used to enhance metabolism and reduce fatigue. It is worth noting that this substance is independently produced by the body in sufficient quantities.
4. Guarana and ginseng are pharmaceutical plants that have biostimulating and general tonic effects.
5. B vitamins. Used to activate metabolic processes.
6. Melatonin for adjusting the body's circadian rhythms and regulating the functioning of brain cells.
7. Matein. A substance found in mate tea from South America. Ancient tree extract copes with hunger and eliminates excess weight.

In addition, almost all energy drinks are highly carbonated and contain a huge amount of carbonic acid.

Types of energy drinks

Tonic drinks were used in the first stages of the development of civilization. Ancient energy drinks were classified as stimulants of natural origin. Tea, herbs, and coca leaves were used as energy drinks.

Modern energy drinks come in the following types:

Harm of energy drinks to the human body

Many people think that consuming energy drinks replenishes the body’s resources, while the harm that energy drinks have on the human body when consumed in excess has long been proven by scientists. The energy drink stimulates the functioning of the cardiac, nervous and endocrine systems. As a result of consumption, the body experiences stress and begins to work at double speed, releasing adrenaline into the blood. In this state, the resource of internal organs decreases, and the tone of the body increases.

We must not forget that there are certain contraindications to drinking energy drinks:

Symptoms of energy drink poisoning

After drinking an energy drink, the nervous system is excited, the ability to work increases, vigor, and mood are elevated. After the stimulant wears off, fatigue, irritation, depression sets in, and the person starts drinking energy drinks again, which is absolutely forbidden to do.

Excessive consumption of energy drinks and exceeding the recommended daily intake may result in the following symptoms of overdose:

Over time, with frequent use of energy drinks, the nervous system becomes unstable, and gastrointestinal distress appears. With frequent overdose, a person may experience mental disorder. In rare cases, with severe overdose of energy drinks, deaths from cardiac arrest have been reported.

First aid for energy drink poisoning

If after drinking an energy drink a person becomes ill, he needs first aid. In severe cases, the patient must be taken to a medical facility.

1. Clear the stomach of any remaining drink by inducing vomiting.
2. Provide access to fresh air.
3. Taking sorbents and drinking plenty of fluids will help the body cleanse itself faster.
4. If a person becomes very ill, has a rapid heartbeat, a red face, high blood pressure, or has lost consciousness, then do not hesitate - call an ambulance.

You can drink energy drinks, but not on a regular basis, in recommended doses, when a person is completely healthy and has no contraindications or chronic diseases.

Energy drink (the so-called “energy drink”) is very popular in all developed countries of the world. The reason for its popularity is simple: the comparative cheapness of the drink and the invigorating (tonic) effect it provides.

In fact, an energy drink is a more effective analogue of coffee, which also quenches your thirst. The variety of flavors of energy drinks is also one of the reasons for the popularity of this drink.

But how dangerous is it to drink energy drinks? In this article we will try to understand how dangerous and harmful it is to drink energy drinks.

Energy drinks entered widespread production in 1984. To put it simply, these are drinks created using a combination of various stimulating substances and additional components (vitamins, flavors, dyes, and so on).

They are created to stimulate the central nervous system. Due to this, a significant reduction in fatigue is achieved, and mental performance increases, but for a limited period (up to 6-8 hours).

Composition of various energy drinks in the vast majority of cases the same. It includes the following substances:

1. Caffeine. The main component of energy drinks, which has a tonic and invigorating effect. It should also be noted that caffeine significantly increases heart rate (up to 120 beats per minute).
2. Mate. It is an analogue of caffeine and gives the same effect, but to a lesser extent.
3. Ginseng and guarana. Both are natural (i.e. not synthesized) CNS stimulants.
4. Sucrose and glucose are universal energy for the body, simple carbohydrates. Once in the body, these substances quickly have a stimulating effect, primarily reaching the brain, reducing the desire to sleep and stimulating its activity.
5. Taurine. An amino acid that accelerates metabolism, quickly provides energy to the body, and is another central nervous system stimulant.
6. Theobromine. In its pure form it is toxic, but energy drinks contain theobromine that has undergone chemical treatment. Is a tonic.
7. Phenylalanine. Adds flavor to the drink.
8. B vitamins.

Popular products in the CIS countries

A large number of different energy drinks are sold in the CIS countries. The most popular of them are the following:

• Jaguar;
• Burn;
• Red Bull;
• Non Stop;
• Revo Energy;
• Gladiator;
• Adrenalin Rush.

It is worth noting that in Europe and the USA the number of types of energy drinks is significantly higher than in the CIS countries.

The impact of energy drinks on the human body

The use of energy drinks directly affects a person's sleep. To be more precise, chronic persistent insomnia develops, and existing sleep becomes pathological. The patient may have nightmares, any external stimuli cause him to wake up, and after sleep there is no feeling of vigor and “new strength.” This is the so-called rollback.

Over time, mood lability (its instability), suspiciousness, irritability, excessive anger and aggressiveness develops. The world in the patient’s mind loses color, which usually indicates the onset of depression.

Organic lesions include the development of prolonged sinus tachycardia, extrasystoles (a feeling of heart failure), and high blood pressure. Often persistent constipation or, on the contrary, diarrhea occurs.

What are the harms of energy drinks?

Negative consequences of taking Energy drinks have not raised questions among doctors for a long time. It is a well-known fact that they are very harmful to health, namely (we are talking about long-term regular use):

1. Increase the likelihood of developing diabetes.
2. Disturbs the functioning of the central nervous system.
3. They create problems with the performance of the heart and the cardiovascular system as a whole.
4. Cause pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.
5. They lead to mental disorders and reduce libido.
6. Can cause serious diseases (thrombosis, epilepsy, anaphylaxis).
7. They reduce ability to work, attention, and interest in the world around them.

Harm from energy drinks (video)

Is it addictive?

Unfortunately, all current research on energy drinks suggests that they are persistent and highly addictive. Moreover, in some people this addiction is as strong as in patients with alcoholism.

Apparently, a solution to this problem will not be found in the near future. In many countries, the use of energy drinks is not regulated in any way, and propaganda against their use is kept to a minimum.

Who is dangerous/contraindicated to drink energy drinks?

Abuse of energy drinks harms absolutely all people. However, there are categories of people for whom energy drinks are particularly harmful.

These people include:

• people with chronic diseases of the circulatory system (especially patients with thrombophilia);
• patients with diabetes mellitus;
• patients with heart disease;
• patients with kidney and gastrointestinal diseases;
• people with chronic high blood pressure;
• people suffering from insomnia;
• teenagers;
• people over fifty years of age;
• pregnant women;
• patients with glaucoma;
• patients with a history of cerebral circulatory disorders;
• patients with diseases of the central nervous system.

Is it possible to overdose?

Unfortunately, in addition to the benefits, energy drinks also pose a real danger to the human body. An overdose of such drinks causes serious poisoning, leading to overload of the central nervous system and increased stress on the arteries and heart.

An overdose of energy drinks usually occurs against the background of their frequent use for carrying out some kind of intellectual work. Statistically, energy drink poisoning most often occurs in students before an exam and in knowledge workers (programmers, writers, professional gamers, etc.).

The reason for overdosing on energy drinks is that they increase the body's performance by increasing the load on all its systems. The most affected are the cardiovascular and central nervous systems, which, with heavy consumption of energy drinks, are worn out.

Simply put, energy drinks turn on the body's backup systems for a long period of time, whereas they are designed to work for a short period of time ( no more than 30 minutes and only in critical situations).

Symptoms of an energy drink overdose

Symptoms of poisoning(overdoses) of energy drinks are as follows:

• a significant increase in heart rate (up to 160 beats per minute);
• persistent and prolonged insomnia;
• irritability, aggressiveness;
• facial redness and feeling of heat;
• increased blood pressure;
• diarrhea;
• tremor of the limbs;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• frequent urination (less often, inability to control it);
• cold sweat;
• increased body temperature;
• repeated vomiting, sometimes without relief;
• anxiety, panic, suspiciousness;
• confusion;
• visual and auditory hallucinations;
• loss of consciousness (syncope).

Possible consequences

Consequences of frequent use energy drinks, as well as an overdose of them, are quite serious.

Let's try to list all of them (according to PubMed):

1. Decreased libido, impotence.
2. Gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis and heartburn develop especially often).
3. Cognitive impairment, including problems with academic performance in adolescents.
4. Development of mental illness.
5. Depression, apathy, indifference, aggressiveness.
6. Cardiac dysfunction, thrombosis.
7. Persistent chronic insomnia.
8. Overexcitement, nervous tics.
9. Seizures, epilepsy.
10. Decreased interest and motivation.
11. Fatal outcome (relatively rare).

First aid and further treatment

If you suspect an overdose of energy drinks, the patient should immediately call an ambulance. Before her arrival, you should give him 2-3 liters of warm water and induce vomiting. This is quite simple to do: after the patient drinks warm water, you need to press your finger on the root of his tongue.

After vomiting, the patient should be given 10-12 tablets of activated carbon. To neutralize caffeine, if possible, the patient should be given green tea or milk. Dishes with magnesium (cabbage, avocado) may be beneficial.

In the hospital, the patient's stomach will be rinsed again and an IV will be placed. Treatment will be carried out with an emphasis on detoxifying the body and “unloading” the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

How long does the energy drink last?

I can’t tell by time, but I drink it before going to bed, and when I wake up it’s still dripping.

The energy drink does not take effect immediately. After about half an hour, you will get a burst of energy - the caffeine will invigorate you. This vivacity will be enough for several hours. Then you will either have to drink an energy drink again, or you will have to put up with a lethargic state

The effect of any non-alcoholic energy drink ranges from 3 to 4 hours, it all depends on the brand of the drink itself. But you should absolutely not abuse it, as it can cause great harm to the body; it contains a lot of caffeine and all sorts of other chemical drinks. Be careful when using it.

About 4 hours. But it does more harm than good.

It's about non-alcoholic energy drinks. I want to say right away that my answer will be based solely on personal experience, because at one time I quite often consumed energy drinks in considerable dosages. So, the effect of an energy drink, including the duration of the effect on the nervous system of the consumer, may depend on a number of reasons:

• Compound(brand, that is) energy drink (contents in it taurine And caffeine- main pathogens. If you carefully read the information on the can (bottle) of a particular drink, you will notice that it is often different for each energy drink. Accordingly, the effect of drinking can be stronger and longer, if in the energy sector more concentration taurine and caffeine.
• Of course, it will also affect quantity, in other words, dose of drink. If, for example, one can can invigorate you for 2-3 hours, then 2-3 cans drunk after lunch, for example, can keep you awake until the morning.
• Regularity of use- a key parameter, since within a few months addiction may occur and, as a result, the absence of the previous effect of vigor.

One way or another, with energy drinks you need, no matter how trivial it may sound, to be very careful and, if possible, reduce their consumption to a minimum. The norms declared by the manufacturer (no more than 1 can per day) are, in my opinion, very excessive; I would recommend drinking them no more than a couple of times a week, and indeed in emergency cases. Then the vigor will last about 3 hours without significant consequences on the body and the psyche as well. Be healthy!

If we are talking about non-alcoholic energy drinks such as Bulide, Red Bull, Jaguar, then such energy drinks can affect the human body three o'clock, this is if you rarely use it. But if this happens often, then the dose will need to be constantly increased for the effect to continue.

And if at first a jar of two hundred and fifty grams is enough, then later you will need a jar of five hundred grams.

In principle, when you are very tired, it can help out and give you vigor, because it contains caffeine and taurine. You can drink it if you haven’t had enough sleep, or you need a state of vigor, but of course you shouldn’t abuse it at all.

Firstly, everything depends on the body and the energy drink itself. I only drank alcoholic energy drinks a couple of times and didn’t like it. But I drank non-alcoholic ones when I was ferrying cars from Europe. When you haven’t slept for two days, an energy drink helped for a maximum of two hours. The next one was for an hour, and then drink it like soda.

Energy drinks such as Red Bull or Adrenaline Rush begin to act within 30 minutes. The duration of their action will depend on how often you use this energy drink, but on average, if you do not abuse it, then about 3-4 hours.

Energy drinks last up to a day; the state of a vigilant drunk, when drowsiness is replaced by vigor due to a mixture of caffeine, taurine and alcohol, does not allow a person to sleep.

The danger of this drink is that a person does not control the alcohol he drinks, because he feels cheerful and sober, so the dose may be higher than usual, which results in insomnia, which lasts for a long time.

People either get addicted to such drinks and spoil their nervous system, or switch to more serious stimulants, which always ends in death.

It all depends on how much you drink. After one jar, vigor may disappear even after half an hour. But if you overdo it with energy drinks, it could very well become very bad. It's better not to get carried away with them.

Energy drinks contain caffeine, and caffeine is an intense brain stimulant; a burst of super activity occurs after half an hour and lasts up to four hours, then fatigue and apathy set in. To feel energetic, you need to drink energy drinks every four hours, but you will agree, this is harmful to the body.

Energy drinks only last an average of three to four hours, and the effect does not begin immediately, but after about thirty minutes. After the end of the effect, the energy and vigor disappears, a new portion of this drink, harmful to the body, is required.

Energy drink advertising is colorful and original. Manufacturers promise that their compositions will inspire the consumer, fill them with strength, and turn them into either Carlson or Superman. Energy specialists are truly capable of helping a student learn a whole semester’s worth of material a few nights before an exam, a minibus or truck driver to drive a car almost around the clock in difficult conditions, a disco regular to dance the night away and then go to work or study in the morning.

However, doctors are less optimistic: as the popularity of energy drinks grows, serious diseases of the blood vessels, liver, pancreas, and nervous system become significantly younger. To understand the benefits and harms of energy drinks, let’s look at their composition.

Types of energy drinks

There are two main types of energy drinks (stimulants):

• non-alcoholic;
• low alcohol.

Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol energy drinks may contain:

• caffeine, theine, mateine ​​are alkaloids. Substances tone, stimulate brain function, increase blood pressure, suppress the feeling of hunger;
• Theobromine is an extract from cocoa beans. It is an alkaloid similar in action to caffeine;
• taurine – participates in metabolic processes, affects the reduction of blood glucose levels and blood pressure;
• extracts of ginseng, guarana, lemongrass, echinacea - plants that are traditionally used in folk medicine to strengthen the body and quickly restore strength;
• carnitine – accelerates fat metabolism and increases appetite;
• melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep frequency and affects the endocrine system;
• B vitamins – substances that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and are necessary for the correct transmission of signals between neurons;
• sweeteners and other flavoring additives, flavorings, food colors, preservatives.

In addition to stimulants, isotonics (sports catalysts) are available for sale, intended for athletes who need to replenish their strength after training. Isotonics are a powdered or diluted in water mixture of salts, vitamins and flavorings.

Features of non-alcoholic energy drinks

By carefully studying the composition of non-alcoholic energy drinks, one can come to the conclusion that they consist of only healthy products. The problem is that there are too many of these substances in drinks (often several daily doses) and they are combined in a very bizarre way. It is impossible to predict in advance how the body will react to a loading dose of compounds, some of which increase blood pressure, others lower it, and others stimulate the endocrine system. Carbon dioxide, which is necessarily included in drinks, accelerates their absorption into the blood and enhances the effect. Due to the high content of sweeteners, blood sugar immediately rises.

All ingredients in energy drinks increase performance by releasing the body's hidden reserves. The benefits of energy drinks to the body are approximately the same as the benefits of artificially increasing the processor frequency to a computer. It's easy to overclock the processor, but it will burn out much faster after that.

Alkaloids (caffeine, mateine, theobromine) gradually become addictive. For an energy drink lover, the natural production of adrenaline decreases; as a result, a person, without drinking a tonic drink, feels lethargic and exhausted. Too much B vitamins contribute to irritability; in severe cases, hands begin to tremble, and mental activity deteriorates. An addiction similar to a drug addiction occurs.

Features of low-alcohol energy drinks

Low-alcohol energy drinks can contain up to 9% alcohol. This means that in an aluminum can with a volume of 250 ml - up to 22.5 ml of pure ethanol, translated into vodka - almost 56 ml. The same can of energy drink with a strength of 5% is equivalent to 31 ml of vodka.

Alcohol only invigorates at the very beginning; after 45–60 minutes it has a sedative effect. The tonic substances in the energy drink last for 2-3 hours. Two effects are neutralized: exciting and inhibitory. Even a healthy body can barely cope with such a load, but a person who begins to feel sleepy drinks a new portion of energy drink.

Excessive addiction to low-alcohol energy drinks is a direct path to alcoholism. A person who consciously drinks strong drinks usually follows a drinking culture: he drinks little by little, savors it, has a snack, and tries not to exceed his own norm. But in energy drinks the alcohol is almost not felt; their drinker drinks can after can.

It must be remembered that low-alcohol energy drinks are not means to stimulate performance, but alcoholic cocktails. In moderation they are acceptable during parties and feasts. It is better to avoid low-alcohol energy drinks with caffeine, mateine ​​and theobromine; these drinks are the most harmful.

How to choose the right energy drinks

The benefits of energy drinks are very questionable, but if you urgently need to restore strength, you must follow the following rules:

• choose non-alcoholic energy drinks that contain any one tonic: either caffeine (mateine, theobromine) or plant extracts. Energy drinks with natural plant extracts are preferable;
• you should not consume more than 250–300 ml of energy drink per day;
• maximum permissible monthly dose – 6 aluminum cans;
• coffee, carbon dioxide and alcohol dehydrate the body. After drinking the energy drink, you need to drink at least 0.5 liters of water in several doses;
• The daily caffeine intake is no more than 300 ml (no more than 100–120 ml at a time). You need to carefully read how much caffeine is in the drink. Energy drinks should not be washed down with coffee or eaten with chocolate;
• choose energy drinks with a minimum content of dyes and flavoring additives (these substances are carcinogenic).

Contraindications to the use of energy drinks

It is forbidden to drink any energy drinks if you have the following diseases:

• cardiovascular system;
• endocrine system (especially in diabetes);
• gastrointestinal tract;
• liver and kidneys;
• nervous system.

Energy drinks are an invention of the second half of the twentieth century, and they can be easily replaced if desired. For centuries, people have increased their performance by eating foods containing vitamin C: apples, citrus fruits. A mixture of apple, pumpkin and carrot juices gives you a boost of energy for the whole day. To overcome drowsiness, you can eat chocolate, drink coffee or cocoa. If you want an unusual taste, then at a party it is better to order a cocktail with high-quality alcohol. Frequent artificial stimulation of the body with energy drinks poses a health threat.