Why You Should Think Twice Before Consuming an Energy Drink

Thousands of people consume energy drinks on a regular basis. As the name suggests, these beverages are designed specifically to fight fatigue and increase energy drinks. They contain ingredients like caffeine and toluene to provide a pick-me-up boost of energy. While effective at boosting energy levels, though, these drinks could yield some harmful health effects.

According to a recent study published in the medical journal CMAJ Open, more than half of young adults who've consumed energy drinks have experienced negative health effects attributed to the beverages. Researchers say that some of the most common health effects associated with energy drink consumption include elevated heart rate, nausea, and in some cases, seizures.

For the study, researchers surveyed more than 2,000 young adults in Canada, asking them a variety of questions regarding their consumption of energy drinks and whether they experienced negative health effects after consuming the beverages. After analyzing the results, researchers found that nearly three-quarters of respondents had consumed energy drinks, and more than half of those respondents had experienced negative health effects after drinking the beverages.

The single most common negative health effect attributed to energy drink consumption was rapid heartbeat. Researchers found that 24.7% of respondents who consumed energy drinks experienced rapid heartbeat. The second most common negative health was difficulty sleeping, with 24.1% of respondents saying they had trouble sleeping after consuming an energy drink.

“It gives us a better glimpse how common [these problems] are, and the focus on 12- to 24-year-olds is the age group most likely to be consumers," explained study co-author David Hammond.

So, what exactly is responsible for the negative health effects of energy drinks? Researchers were reluctant to answer this question, though other medical experts attribute its combination of ingredients like caffeine, toluene and sugar. A single 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull, for instance, contains roughly 80 milligrams of caffeine, which is the equivalent to a cup of coffee. Additionally, it contains toluene and sugar, compounding the effects of caffeine.

The good news is that you can fight fatigue and improve energy levels without the use of energy drinks. Getting a good night's rest and drinking water can improve your endurance levels, allowing you to work longer and hard throughout the day. Even exercising can improve your energy levels. Whether it's cycling around the block or running on a treadmill, physical activity is a safe and effective way to combat fatigue.