Is it possible to drink alcohol with energy drinks? Possible side effects

Briefly: The feeling of excitement from an alcoholic energy drink encourages a person to drink more. And the subsequent exhaustion of the body turns out to be more severe than from decaffeinated drinks. In addition, the combination of alcohol and caffeine increases the risk of heart disease. To allow the body to recover, you can drink alcoholic energy drinks no more than once every three months.

How alcohol and caffeine work together

The effect of intermittent intake of alcohol and caffeine differs from the option in which alcohol is first taken in a significant dose, and after some time - strong tea or coffee. And the effect on the body is even more different alcoholic-caffeine energy drink, which is a mixture of substances with opposite effects: Caffeine excites the nervous system, and alcohol suppresses excitation.

But at the same time, they do not simply neutralize each other, since their toxicokinetics (the speed and dynamics of the effect) differ: as the dose increases, the effect of either alcohol or caffeine will predominate, and the exciting stage of intoxication can also a short time superimposed on the period of the stimulating effect of caffeine.

The psychological impact of these substances usually encourages a person to continue drinking.

What does this lead to? Alternate or simultaneous action of multidirectional agents over a long period of time requires additional energy and plastic costs, therefore the stage of exhaustion is more pronounced. Roughly speaking, alcohol and caffeine together deplete the body stronger than individually.

Plastic costs are the costs of a substance for the construction/restoration of organs, tissues and cells. Plastic costs can also be aimed at storing substances for future use for energy purposes (carbohydrate deposits in the form of glycogen, fat deposits). By analogy with construction, energy costs are the energy consumption during the movement of mechanisms and workers, plastic costs are the consumption of cement, reinforcement, bricks, and so on. Plastic reserves for energy purposes are, say, a tank of diesel fuel.

Is there any harm to the heart?

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Recipe energy drinks has changed over the centuries. In America, not yet discovered by Columbus, the Indians drank a dark liquid from the fried leaves and bark of the holly tree. The only side effect of this energy drink was the continuous severe vomiting. Indians sought salvation from sleep and fatigue in religious drinks made from harmala, ephedra or mushrooms. The most popular energy drinks are still coffee and loose leaf tea.

What do you need to know about alcoholic energy drinks, what they consist of and how they act on the human body?

general characteristics

The first energy stimulants that became available to humanity were tea and coffee. But their power left much to be desired. Demand creates supply, so the market is rapidly flooded with carbonated energy drinks in cans. Their popularity depends on the territorial location and peculiarities of life of each nation. For example, sales of energy drinks in Russia are growing every year by 10-30%.

The last decade is considered the peak of popularity, although the concept of an invigorating liquid itself is far from new and has been in use for a long time.

The first energy drinks

One of the first energy drinks to burst onto the industrial market was the famous Coca-Cola. The first version of the soda, released in 1886, contained cocaine from the coca leaf and caffeine from the tropical cola tree, in addition to the standard ingredients. John Stith Pemberton (founder of the Coca-Cola company) had own recipe energy liquid. To 1 gallon of syrup (3.8 liters) add 5 ounces of coca leaves (150 grams). Later, the dosage of the plant was reduced to one tenth, and after 17 years the component was completely abandoned.

Another regular at the market is Lucozade. The drink first appeared in the English town of Newcastle. In 1927, chemist William Owen created an invigorating remedy for patients who had a cold or flu. Lucozade included glucose syrup, carbonated liquid, citric/lactic/ascorbic acid, caffeine, sodium bisulfate, sodium benzoate. This is a standard list of ingredients that are included in energy drinks to this day.

In the 60s, the energy drink market took over Asia. One of the brightest energy drinks of that time was Lipvitan-D, which was produced by a local pharmaceutical company. Since 1962, Lipvitan-D has become the main drink of hardworking Japanese workers. The miniature bottles, which looked more like syrup packaging rather than energy drinks, contained vitamin mixes, taurine and niacin. The liquid really gave a surge of strength, energy, and increased concentration. 20 years after its introduction to the Japanese market, night life Japan has sparkled with new colors. The epochal return of the popularity of “Lipvitan-D” occurred in the 80s, and the bulk of buyers were Japanese idle youth.

Popular alcoholic energy drinks

In the post-Soviet market, it ranks first low alcohol cocktail"Jaguar". It contains 7%. Previously, Jaguar was produced with 9 or 5.5% alcohol. The cocktail has become widespread in popular culture and has become a distinctive feature of a certain group of people who do not care about their own health, following fashion trends. By 2017, the cocktail had abruptly disappeared from store shelves, but sales are still ongoing in local kiosks and online stores.

A can of Jaguar contains 150 milligrams of caffeine (equivalent to three cups of instant coffee). The substance provokes nervousness, disrupts sleep, and forms addiction. The cocktail also includes carbon dioxide(increases absorption rate ethyl alcohol, affects the liver), vitamins, 30 grams of sugar (about 6 teaspoons) and flavoring. The popularity of the cocktail is due to its relative cheapness and excellent distribution network. The powerful advertising made several years ago still works and makes the Jaguar desirable to suggestible teenagers.

The drug "Alcobarrier"

The list of popular alcoholic energy drinks also includes Flash, Strike and Gorilla. Their composition and properties are identical to Jaguar. Only the aromatic fragrances and the concentration of ethyl alcohol in the jar may differ.

What is included in energy drinks

Every year several new products appear on the market, which differ from previous ones only in price segment and appearance packaging. Each of them promises inspiration, vigor, and an inexhaustible supply of energy, but all drinks are made according to a similar recipe, and their composition is almost identical. According to statistics, there are only 5 basic components for energy drinks: vitamin B3, B6, B12, taurine, caffeine. The only ingredient on the list that actually works and provides the body with energy is caffeine. Scientists have proven this experimentally. During it, some participants drank water with added caffeine, while others drank water with complex vitamin composition. As a result, the brain activity and reaction speed of both groups turned out to be almost identical.

Caffeine is the most popular and used medical drug in the world. It stimulates the central nervous system, increases cardiac activity, accelerates the pulse and provokes a constriction of blood vessels. Safe dose caffeine is considered to be 400 milligrams per day. Consumption in excess of the permissible dosage can lead to sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, anxiety, nausea and headaches.

1 can of energy drink contains from 7 to 200 milligrams of caffeine.

Another important component of alcoholic energy drinks is ethyl alcohol. It has the exact opposite effect on the body. If caffeine tones a person, then alcohol, on the contrary, stimulates a sedative effect. All systems relax, coordination, memory, reaction speed gradually deteriorate along with well-being.

The effect of ethyl alcohol on the body depends on the concentration and duration of exposure. Use leads to:

inhibition of central functions nervous system;
stupor, decreased threshold of sensitivity to pain;
alcoholic excitement, gradual addiction to a toxic pathogen;
cirrhosis, gastritis, ulcers, cancer, pathologies of the heart and blood vessels;
oxidative damage to brain neurons;
clinical depression;
of death.

How safe is it to drink alcoholic energy drinks?

The combination of an energy drink and ethyl alcohol can lead to extremely unpleasant consequences. The exact opposite action of the components can trigger collapse. As soon as the combination of ethanol and caffeine is ingested, a person begins to experience general weakness, decreased activity, drowsiness and apathy towards what is happening. The claimed boost of energy from caffeine and sugar will be blocked by the harmful effects of the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol.

Possible consequences:

excessive stress on the psyche, which makes a person’s behavior uncontrollable;
increased heart rate, excessive stress on cardiovascular system;
disorders of the central nervous system (can be triggered by both ethyl alcohol and excess caffeine);
increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus, rapid weight gain, digestive disorders and metabolic disorders;
increased load on all internal organ systems;
exacerbation of chronic pathologies or development of an acute inflammatory process.

Tonic liquids after alcohol can be consumed only after the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol have been completely removed from the human body. Ideally, from 6 to 14 hours, depending on the quantity and quality of the drink. Alcoholic drinks after caffeine can be consumed within 2-4 hours.

For quick and reliable relief from alcoholism, our readers recommend the drug "Alcobarrier". This natural remedy, which blocks cravings for alcohol, causing a persistent aversion to alcohol. In addition, Alcobarrier triggers restoration processes in organs that alcohol has begun to destroy. The product has no contraindications, the effectiveness and safety of the drug has been proven by clinical studies at the Research Institute of Narcology.

The legislative framework

The main question regarding energy drinks, which is discussed by deputies in government bodies and schoolchildren, is whether it is possible to drink invigorating drinks underage? A product that does not contain alcohol can be sold to a minor. If a retail chain or local store refuses to sell non-alcoholic energy drink, for example, to a 16-year-old boy, then this indicates the seller’s illiteracy. But laws regarding the sale of liquids with caffeine, taurine and vitamins may vary geographically. For example, in the Moscow region, selling tonic drinks to minors (regardless of the presence/absence of ethyl alcohol in the composition) is prohibited.

Energy drinks do not include coffee, tea, liquids based on tea or coffee extracts, the concentration of caffeine in which does not exceed 0.151 mg/m3. cm.

With alcoholic energy drinks the situation is different. They are equated to alcoholic beverages, which are prohibited from being sold to minors. In each country, the law banning alcohol-containing products has some peculiarities. For example, in the USA it is permissible to drink alcohol from the age of 21, in Europe - from 18, in Asia - from 16-14, and in some African countries there is no such ban at all.

Laws that regulate the circulation of alcohol may differ even within one country (for example, by region). In most cases, energy drinks are equated to alcoholic drinks, and their sale is permitted only upon reaching the Legal drinking age. Check out legislative framework country in which you plan to make a purchase, and act in accordance with the established rules. Be aware of the potential dangers of alcohol-containing energy drinks and stay healthy.

There are many substances that have psychostimulant properties, but the most popular are caffeine and ethyl alcohol. What happens if you mix energy drink or alcohol with coffee?

Energy drinks - composition

Now popular in certain circles, the so-called energy drinks or energy drinks, as a rule, have a similar chemical composition. 100 percent of these liquids contain caffeine, in very high concentrations. Some manufacturers add theobromine (a psychostimulant found in cocoa beans), L-carnitine, and simple carbohydrates in high concentrations.

The effect of caffeine on the human body is quite specific. Under its influence, the electrical activity of the brain is stimulated, which activates excitation reactions, suppresses inhibition processes, accelerates the transmission of electrical impulses, activates many nerve centers (breathing and heartbeat), and accelerates the biosynthesis reactions of neurotransmitters.

Simply put, caffeine is a powerful stimulant that increases the activity of the central nervous system. The consequence of this is suppression of sleep, increased performance, increased breathing and heart rate, increased physical endurance, increased (moderate) mental abilities, increased blood pressure, stimulating concentration.

Theobromine has a similar effect, although somewhat less pronounced. This substance helps improve mood and well-being, since it primarily enhances the biosynthesis reactions of the so-called happiness hormones - endorphins and enkephalins.

High concentrations of simple carbohydrates are added for only one purpose - to support the body's energy metabolism, charging it with glucose. Of course, after drinking such a drink, the concentration of sugars in the blood increases sharply, which helps to increase a person’s physical endurance.

Effect of energy drink on the body

The body's first reaction to an energy drink is quite predictable. Unmotivated vigor and endurance appear, as mentioned above. However, it should be taken into account that the body’s resources are not unlimited, which means that sooner or later the processes of inhibition, despite any stimulation, will spread to all parts of the central nervous system.

Energy drink with coffee

The psychostimulating effect of coffee on the human body is dictated, naturally, by caffeine. If consumed coffee beans, then the caffeine will only be of natural origin. Instant coffee, in most cases, is a product of the chemical industry.

It is quite obvious that when used together, the stimulating effects of the energy drink and coffee will combine, which often leads to an overdose of caffeine.

In such cases, the following symptoms should be expected: insomnia, unmotivated anxiety, rapid heartbeat, facial flushing, increased body temperature, tremors of the limbs, nausea, diarrhea, high blood pressure.

In more severe cases, one should expect the development of hallucinations and delusions, loss of consciousness, pathological types of breathing, convulsions, cessation of breathing and cardiac activity, which will result in death.

Energy drink with alcohol

If an energy drink is mixed with alcohol, this combination can affect the body in different ways. It all depends on the dosage of one or another component. Ethyl alcohol, like caffeine, is a psychostimulant (in small dosages). High doses of ethanol act in the opposite way - they cause a strong inhibition of the activity of the central nervous system.

In small concentrations, as in the previous case, there will be a summation of the effects of drinks, which will be expressed in the appearance of strong euphoria, insomnia, talkativeness, rapid heartbeat, and so on.

When high dosages of alcohol and small concentrations of energy drinks are combined, their effect will be multidirectional, but this should not be considered as a benefit, since in such a state a person can consume larger amounts of ethyl alcohol, which can lead to severe poisoning or even death.

Coffee with alcohol

Coffee with cognac is, without a doubt, a classic of the genre. This combination is familiar to everyone without exception (those who have reached the age of 21, naturally). In small quantities, within the framework of cultural consumption, it is rather a benefit, allowing you to quickly warm up or slightly relax.

However, if you drink coffee after significant libations, the benefits will no longer be discussed. Also, as in the case of energy drinks, a false sense of sobriety may appear, which will allow you to further aggravate the condition with several glasses of an alcoholic drink or, conversely, get behind the wheel and get into some other potentially dangerous situation.

conclusions

If we talk about alcoholic drinks And natural coffe, then it is quite obvious that in small quantities both of them, together or separately, will not cause harm. However, with an increase in the number of at least one of them, the situation changes dramatically.

As for energy drinks, it is better to avoid them, since the caffeine in them is synthetic, and its concentration is such that even a young body sometimes finds it difficult to withstand such a caffeine shock.

I remember gevella I wrote about energy drinks, about those containing alcohol. And I promised to tell you more about the interaction between caffeine and ethanol.

And here, very opportunely, toxicologists from the University of Florida arrived, who went among the people and assessed the effect of the “alcohol + caffeine” mix directly in the field, that is, in clubs and bars.

They fully confirmed the findings of other researchers: if you mix alcohol with caffeine-containing energy drinks (are there others?), you get more intoxicated. Same explanation: caffeine intake in the background alcohol intoxication has a short-term stimulating effect. In this way, drowsiness, lethargy and apathy are overcome - the sedative effects of ethanol intoxication, and people feel less drunk than they really are. But the key word here is “feel.”

Who was studied: 800 randomly selected college students who were caught at the exits of entertainment and drinking establishments between 10:00 pm and 3:00 am. They were asked, among other things, whether they were going to drive a car, and the concentration of ethanol in their exhaled air was determined.

It turned out that those who mixed alcohol with energy drinks found themselves in a grunting state three times more often than those who drank only alcohol. The breathalyzer of “vigorous” drinkers showed a breath reading of 0.109%, despite the fact that the permitted concentration for drivers in most states is 0.08%.

And also, about assessing the degree of your intoxication. Those who mixed alcohol with energy drinks left the bar much later and planned to drive within the next hour four times more often than those who drank only alcohol.

A leading toxicologist at the University of Florida College of Medicine defined the condition of a person who drank alcohol mixed with energy drinks as “drunk, but active” (in a very loose translation). And this is not good. It's like an "initiative fool".

So, caffeine - no matter in what form it enters the body - significantly aggravates the degree of intoxication. There are two reasons: a psychostimulating effect that masks intoxication (which, in fact, is what this study is about) and the already known increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier for the whole ethanol molecule. A growing number of studies agree on this.

Let me explain again: to be honest, I don’t give a damn about specific biochemical or behavioral subtleties. Alcohol combined with energy drinks is a time bomb. What kind of fuse does it have - who cares? It hits the heart, warps the roof, increases the chances of dangerous behavior, including getting behind the wheel. For me, this is more than enough to shout about the inadmissibility of such a mix at every corner.

And thus, “alcoholic energy drinks” such as the notorious “Yaga” in our country, where ethanol and psychostimulants are already mixed, pose a particular danger. Rarely does anyone stop after one can. And Gevella wrote beautifully about the results.

Alcoholic energy drink- This is a very controversial drink. Why? Energy drinks have a stimulating function, but alcohol has a depressing function.

The opposition is obvious! The energy drink “masks” the influence of alcohol, which is why many people do not take it into account and weaken control over the amount they drink. The result is more active consumption of alcohol, which subsequently causes natural fatigue, which is still interrupted by the effect of the stimulating drink. However, first things first.

Compound

This is the first thing you should pay attention to when talking about alcoholic energy drinks. So, they contain the following substances:

Glucose and sucrose in large quantities. These are easily digestible carbohydrates, the main source of energy.
Caffeine. Stimulates the central nervous system, accelerates the pulse, enhances cardiac activity, promotes the accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which leads to adrenaline-like effects.
Theobromine. It is close in composition to caffeine and has a similar effect - it stimulates the heart muscle.
Taurine. It has an antioxidant effect, stimulates the emulsification of fats in the intestines, and has a cardiotropic effect. In general, it improves energy processes.
Glucuronolactone. This is a natural metabolite of glucose, a direct “precursor” of taurine, which helps improve mental activity.
L-carnitine. Has a neuroprotective effect.
Vitamins B and D-ribose. Substances necessary for every person, because they improve metabolism.

Extracts

They are also part of the energy low alcohol drinks. The most common are:

Guarana extract. An effective stimulant - it contains twice as much caffeine as coffee beans.
Ginseng extract. This is the source of all kinds useful substances. These include saponins, xatriols, active polyacetylenes, peptides, polysaccharides, acids (folic, nicotinic, pantothenic), essential oils, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, molybdenum, manganese, cobalt, chromium, titanium, zinc... in general, it’s impossible to list everything.

By the way, another common addition is black carrot juice. It contains a large number of antioxidants - 12 times more than in a regular orange fruit.

Alcohol

And this is the main component of low-alcohol energy drinks. And everyone knows how harmful it is. Alcohol has toxic effects for our entire body.

And now we are not even talking about such consequences as an increase in the likelihood of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. Alcohol is a depressant. A substance that depresses the activity of the central nervous system and often provokes mental disorders.

Possible consequences

Everything, of course, depends on the individual characteristics of the body, but the combination of caffeine and ethanol may not cause the most pleasant reaction. Because the surge of energy caused by all stimulants and sugar will be instantly blocked by the effect exerted by the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. So here are the possible consequences:

Excessive stress on the psyche. As a result, behavior is difficult to control.
Abnormal load on the cardiovascular system, increased contractions.
CNS disorders. They are provoked by both excess caffeine and alcohol.
Risk of developing diabetes, weight gain.
Load on all internal organ systems.

Well, the most important consequence, which not a single person who drinks alcoholic energy drinks can avoid, is the long recovery of the body. Everyone knows that the breakdown products of alcohol are eliminated for a very long time.

addictive

A consequence that needs to be mentioned separately. Alcoholic energy drinks are very addictive and addictive. Over time, a person notices that he needs to drink a lot more tonic strong drink in order to achieve the effect that previously occurred from one jar.

And everyone knows that excessive addiction to such cocktails is a direct path to drunkenness and alcoholism. And it is not just words. In energy drinks, the “degree” is practically not felt (although it is present in considerable quantities), so a person simply knocks over one can after another, without even noticing it.

Famous example: Jaguar

“Jaguar” is an alcoholic energy drink whose name is on everyone’s lips. It cannot be called “weak”, since the ethyl alcohol content is 7%. And this is more than strong beer. Previously, by the way, Jaguar was produced with a content of 5.5% and 9%.

In addition to alcohol, this drink contains water, lemon acid, sugar, caffeine, taurine and Paraguayan holly (mate) leaf extract. It determines the sweet-tart taste of the cocktail.

In addition to the above, the composition contains dyes (carmine, anthocyanin and caramel), as well as flavors and vitamins. Energy value- approximately 100 kcal.

Jaguar is harmful. Sodium benzoate (E211) included in its composition can large quantities cause DNA changes, is a cause of Parkinson's disease and cancer. And the dye E129, which causes the red color of the drink, is a carcinogen, banned in 9 European countries.

List of popular drinks

In continuation of the topic under discussion, I would like to list a list of alcoholic energy drinks that are somewhat popular.

Revo. The “classic” version is a drink in a silver can with a sour-fresh taste. There is a “cherry” modification in red containers and a “grapefruit” modification in orange. All contain 9% alcohol. Shizandra (8%) and Revo Angel (6%) versions are also available.
Strike. Inexpensive drink with 8% alcohol content. One can of it creates the same effect as 3-4 cups of strong black coffee and a 50-gram shot of vodka.
Hooch. A budget option with 7% alcohol content and a wide range of flavors. There are apple, lemon, grapefruit, orange and black currant.

However, only the famous inspiring non-alcoholic Red Bull, diluted with vodka, is more popular than all the listed options. But you need to knead it yourself - the manufacturer does not produce “ready-made” versions.

Benefit

Well, enough has been said about the dangers of alcoholic energy drinks. But wherever there are disadvantages, there are definitely advantages! So what about the benefits? Oddly enough, but it is present.

At the very beginning, the substances included in these cocktails were listed, and they are really useful. True, their positive effect is smoothed out by alcohol, but still.

However, in certain situations, even an alcoholic energy drink can help. He won't let you fall asleep if you really want to sleep, but you can't. For example, when deadlines are running out at work. Okay, but how can you work if alcohol gets into your body? It’s easy and simple, because in small quantities (you must remember in moderation!) alcohol relaxes, relieves unnecessary thoughts, and relieves tension. In such a relaxed state, work is much calmer.

Right choice

You shouldn’t buy the first energy drink you come across if you decide to cheer yourself up. When choosing a drink, you should be guided by the following rules:

The best energy drink is the one that contains only one tonic substance. It is better if it is a natural plant extract.
It is worth paying attention to the content flavoring additives and dyes. There is no point in consuming excess carcinogens.
Don't be tempted by a half-liter jar. Daily norm- 250-300 ml.
You should immediately buy bottled water, at least 0.5 liters. Energy drinks dehydrate, you will have to restore the balance.

And one more thing: you don’t need to eat this drink with chocolate or wash it down with coffee. This is an extra energy shock to the body.

Turning to the law

There are some legal nuances regarding the topic under consideration. Namely, the law on the sale of energy drinks.

Everyone knows how in Russia they unsuccessfully strive to combat the sale of all kinds of psychotropic substances such as alcohol, cigarettes, etc. Tonic cocktails are no exception! In 2014, the State Duma tried to introduce a law on the sale of energy drinks. It was proposed to prohibit the sale of tonic drinks to minors.

Was the law passed? Not really. The ban was established only on May 1, 2017, only for Moscow and the region. Also, in these and some other regions (in Crimea, for example), they stopped selling Coca-Cola without presenting a passport! This is because the popular soda, which is even bought for children, contains caffeine, albeit in small quantities.

In fact, if you want to cheer up, it is better to choose an option without ethyl alcohol, if the question is which one to buy - alcoholic or not. The energy drink “Drive” can be a good option, as well as “Gorilla”, “Non Stop”, “Owl”, “MTV Up!”, “Adrenaline Rush”, “Monster” and many others. But it’s better to drink a cup of natural, freshly ground coffee. If you drink it in moderation, it will have whole line beneficial effects.