I am not writing this piece
because I have any problem with
any of the energy drink
companies. I am also not writing
because I hate energy drinks. I
am writing to prevent death and
alert the public of its health
effects.
Unfortunately the situation is
getting worse as people take
energy drinks like water and
some people have made it a habit
as they see it to be fashionable
to take energy drinks. It's very
sad to see energy drink being
served at functions together
with other soft drinks. Some
parents buy for their kids not
knowing the effect it can pose.
Advertisement and easy access
of such drinks contributes to it's
abuse. It is very common to see
energy drinks being sold in
traffic. Drivers and passengers
all buy and drink. Some athletes
also make use of it to gain more
energy.
EFFECTS
1. CARDIAC ARREST: though
there is a formula to determine
how many to take at one time, it
best apply to those with heart
conditions because energy drinks
can cause forceful heart
contractions.
2. HEADACHES and
MIGRAINES: people who get
used to taking energy drinks
mostly get headaches and
migraines as a result of
withdrawal symptoms.
3. INSOMNIA: Energy drink do
so good job of keeping people
awake but when abused, they can
cause some people to miss sleep
altogether. This lack of sleep
causes impaired functioning and
can be dangerous to drive or
perform other concentration
heavy tasks.
4. TYPE 2 DIABETES: Because
many energy drinks are also very
high in sugar, they can eventually
wear out the insulin producing
cells of the pancreas, which
leads to type 2 diabetes.
5. ADDICTION: The caffeine
can cause people to be hooked to
it and without it, some are unable
to function normally.
6. VOMITING: Too many energy
drinks can lead to vomiting. This
causes dehydration and acid
erosion of teeth and osophagus is
frequent.
7. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE:
Caffeinated products likes
energy drinks can elevate a
person's blood pressure. This
isn't an issue for those with
normal BP but those who already
have issues risk getting stroke or
hypertension if taken frequently.
8. MISCARRIAGE: Energy drinks
don't do well with pregnant
women. With only 100 mg
consummed per day, the
pregnant woman risks
miscarriage.
9. REDUCES ENDURANCE:
almost all energy drinks have
ginseng in it which lowers blood
sugar level which rather
decreases exercise endurance.
10. ACCIDENT: It is not
advisable to mix alcohol with
energy drinks. When this done it
takes away the feeling of
intoxication making the person
feel ok and in control and take in
more of the alcohol. Due to the
deceptive feeling, people drive
and at some point loose control.
Nb: Children are not to take
more than 100 mg per day but
due to the high sugar content,
they find appealing. Parents and
caretakers should take note.
