How Are Energy Drinks Dangerous
To begin with, there is a potentially dangerous misconception about sports drinks and energy drinks. Sports drinks are used for the purpose of rehydration after working out and contain no caffeine. While neither beverage is recommended for children due to high sugar levels, energy drinks are far less healthy. Why? Because they contain high amounts of additives such as caffeine, taurine, guarana, ginseng, L-carnitine and yohimbine.
Energy drinks have increasingly become a source of caffeine overdoses, according to a comprehensive study published in Pediatrics. Too much of these stimulants and chemicals can cause dependence, dehydration, insomnia, heart palpitations and/or an increased heart rate in both children and adults. But in children, these symptoms are often even more extreme. Consuming energy drinks has even led to seizures, mania, stroke and death in rare situations.
While these adverse effects can occur even in healthy children with no known health complications, symptoms of consuming too many stimulants also may be magnified in children with existing conditions such as asthma or heart disease. The additives also can negatively interact with certain medications.
No matter how popular they may be, there is no safe amount of energy drinks that a child can consume.
Worst: Red Bull Coconut Edition Sugar Free Energy Drink
“Sugar free”? Maybe not so much. Graham points out that Red Bull Coconut is actually sweeter than regular Red Bull, it just comes in a smaller can. Hauser added that although Red Bull seems to have made a nice try with this more natural-sounding new product, it doesn’t quite cut it. “Both the sugar-free and regular versions have some issues,” Hauser said. “First of all, if you are trying to go the more natural route, the first red light here is ‘natural and artificial flavors.’ That could be a host of things and it’s almost impossible to find out what is used. And although they are considered safe by the FDA, sucarlose, aspartame, and acesulfame K are artificial sweeteners that are made in a lab, not in nature. So if someone is looking to minimize artificial ingredients in their diet, this may not be the right option for them.”
Coffee Vs Energy Drinks
Compared to coffee, energy drinks are commonly viewed in a negative light. While energy beverages are banned from most school campuses, coffee drinks are tolerated. In fact, a high school in North Carolina recently opened a student-run coffee shop. Are the unequal attitudes towards these popular drinks justified?
Energy drink fans will argue no, as just a single ounce of a typical energy beverage has 10mg of Caffeine, while a single ounce of coffee contains 18mg. But, whats really in an energy drink, anyways? Lets dive deeper…
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Monster Energy Zero Ultra
Monster energy drinks are a crowd favorite since theyve been around for so long and they continue to deliver with their top-notch products.
And their Zero Ultra is an awesome version of their original formula but without the sugar or calories.
Theres 140mg of caffeine per can and its loaded with B-vitamins, with a quality energy blend .
There are also natural and artificial flavors.
Monster Energy Zero Ultra is a top choice for those who need a nice kick!
Best Price
Monster Energy Zero Ultra
Monster Energy Zero Ultra available in multiple flavors, 0 sugar, and calories per serving. Packed with monster energy.
Overall Energy Drinks Manufacturers Have Reduced The Sugar Content In Their Products Since The Sugar Tax Was Introduced
SOME ENERGY DRINKS contain up to 17 spoons of sugar and twice as much caffeine as an espresso, according to a new report.
A survey carried out by Safefood found that, overall, energy drinks manufacturers have reduced the sugar content in their products in response to the introduction of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax in 2018.
However, there has been an increase in the proportion of drinks being sold in bigger serving sizes.
The tax was introduced in a bid to tackle obesity levels in Ireland.
The research found that the average sugar content per serving of energy drinks has fallen by approximately two teaspoons of sugar down from 31g in 2015 to 23g in 2019.
Of the three leading energy drink brands Lucozade, Red Bull and Monster who have a combined market share of 80%, there was a reduction in the sugar content of the market leader but no reduction in the sugar content of the other two.
The report notes that before the introduction of the sugar tax, 74% of energy drinks in the Irish market would have been eligible for taxation that is, containing at least 5g of sugar per 100ml. The 2019 research shows that only 41% are now eligible for taxation.
The snapshot survey was carried out by Safefood in April. It identified an increase in the number of energy drink products for sale with a large increase in drinks sold in 500ml servings , and no change in the number of drinks sold in 250ml servings.
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Does Relentless Have Sodium
A 500ml can of Relentless has 0.70g of sodium or salt.
Relentless Energy contains 0.70mg of sodium per 500ml serving.
EFSA set the daily sodium intake to 2g for healthy adults. Because the drinks sodium content doesnt even cover half of the limit, then you wont have to worry about one serving.
Two cans, however, may already put you at risk. This is because youre most likely taking other sodium-infused food and drinks.
Doing this can lead to:
- High Blood Pressure
- Increased Risk of Heart Diseases
- Stroke
- Fatigue
To avoid this, make sure to monitor your sodium intake. If youre already experiencing symptoms of high sodium levels, you should focus on hydrating your body with water. This will balance your bodys sodium.
Top 5 Energy Ingredients
According to the Innova Market Insights Database, these five energy drink ingredients are the most common. The chart below shows the percentage of new energy products in which each ingredient is found.
According to one study, caffeine is the only ingredient that actually works. Participants who drank only caffeinated water had the same brain activity and response times as those consuming 5 Hour Energy, which also adds many of the other ingredients.
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Best: Bai Bubbles Sparkling Antioxidant Infusion
If you combine your seltzer obsession with your love for fruit juice, you get Bai’s sparkling energy drinks. Taste-tempting flavors include black cherry, blood orange, grapefruit, blackberry lime, pineapple, watermelon lime, and coconut lime. One can serves up 45 milligrams of caffeine with just 1 gram of sugar and 5 calories. It’s so refreshing that it also makes a great mixer for low-sugar cocktails.
Hidden Caffeine In Energy Drinks
The caffeine content in popular energy drinks varies greatly as the energy drink industry is not regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Ironically, some drinks do not even list the caffeine content on their label. Instead, they state that its part of their secret proprietary blend.
Energy drink makers also claim their beverages are natural dietary supplements, thus not subject to the regulations that apply to food products. This means consumers often do not know how much caffeine theyre downing with an energy drink, and its likely a lot more than you think. A typical 16-ounce energy drink contains between 150 to 280 milligrams of caffeine larger cans have up to 500 milligrams of caffeine. This is in stark contrast to sodas, which are regulated by the FDA. By comparison, a 12-ounce can of soda can contains about 35 milligrams of caffeine.
Many energy drinks also contain guarana, which is a South American plant with a more potent form of caffeine. One gram of guaranine, a derivative of guarana, is equivalent to 40 to 80 milligrams of caffeine. Due to these additives, these energy drinks can contain much more caffeine than stated on the packaging.
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Monster Energy Drink Vs Coffee
When were discussing the difference between energy drinks and coffee, its hard to determine which is better or worse than the other.
For starters, the caffeine content in a cup of coffee can range anywhere between 0 to 500mg, while energy drinks such as Monster only have between 50 to 300mg.
On the subject of caffeine, at least you know what youre getting from an energy drink, whereas a cup of coffee isnt standardized.
As for sugar content, while energy drinks often fall under the sugary caffeinated beverage category, coffee containing sugar, caramel, and whipped cream, isnt that much healthier than energy drinks either.
So from a pure caffeine and sugar perspective, both Monster and coffee are just about the same. But the major differences lie within their other ingredients, such as antioxidants and B-vitamins.
For my full take on the coffee vs energy drink debate, click here. Aside from that, if youre wondering which drink works better for studying, take a look at the video below to find out.
Can Interact With Prescription Drugs
If you are on certain prescription drugs for your health, it is likely that the consumption of energy drinks might hinder with the drug.
There are some components in the energy drinks which could interact with the prescription drugs and make their impacts on the body bad.
If you are taking medication for depression, it is best suggested that you do skip out on the excess consumption of energy drinks for better health.
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Are Bang Energy Drinks Healthy
Energy drinks are rarely a good choice.
Many shock your system with colossal amounts of caffeine and sugar in an effort to increase alertness, but that sudden spike in energy is usually followed by a brutal crash which leaves you feeling worse off than before. Most energy drinks are nutritionally equivalent to soda, and youre smart enough to know a can of Coca-Cola isnt doing your health any favors.
But an energy drink called BANG is rapidly gaining popularity thanks to claims and nutrition facts that seemingly stand in stark contrast to traditional options like Monster or Rockstar. With rave reviews all around the internet, is BANG really the future of energy drinks?
Lets take a closer look to see if BANG energy drinks are actually as healthy as some might lead you to believe.
BANG energy drinks come in a variety of flavors, but it looks like each one has identical nutrition facts. One 16-ounce can of BANG contains:
- 0 calories
- 50% DV of Vitamin C
- 25% DV of Niacin
- 25% DV of Vitamin B6
- 25% DV of Vitamin B12
- 2% DV of Magnesium
But BANG still packs plenty of sweetness despite the lack of sugar. How? Lets look at the ingredients:
Whewthats a lot of words most people dont recognize.
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Now would probably be a good time to also tell you each BANG can is adorned with so many warnings youd think it was a live hand grenade. These include:
Monster Energy Caffeine Content
According to Monster Energy’s website, a can of classic Monster contains 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving, which equates to 160 milligrams per 16-ounce can. If you prefer to drink less caffeine, opt for a can of Monster Energy Zero Ultra or Monster Energy Absolutely Zero, as both of these have 20 less milligrams of caffeine per can. On the converse, if you crave more caffeine, a can of Monster Mean Bean Java Monster has 188 milligrams of caffeine per can.
If you’re a caffeine addict who can’t imagine life without Monster, remember that, according to Mayo Clinic staff, up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is typically considered to be safe for most healthy adults. Given that the amount of caffeine in Monster Energy accounts for nearly half of this amount, it’s important to remember that some foods naturally have caffeine in them.
According to the USDA, a 1-ounce serving of dark chocolate has roughly 12 milligrams of caffeine. If you’re going to consume energy drinks, remember to monitor other sources of caffeine you consume on a daily basis as well.
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Here Are A Few Reasons Why Artificial Sugar Found In Sugar
#1: It will make your body produce more insulin.
Secreted by the pancreas, insulin is how the human body stores sugar. When the taste of artificial sweeteners found in sugar-free energy drinks hits your tongue, your brain automatically sends a message to your pancreas to begin producing insulin. Insulin is what tells your cells to either use sugar as food or store it as fat – without it, your body cant process sugar properly.
When your pancreas produces insulin to deal with anticipated sugar, but no sugar arrives, it confuses your body and disrupts its metabolic process. This may explain why many studies have shown a link between regularly drinking sugar-free beverages and metabolic syndrome: a collection of symptoms that includes higher blood pressure and blood sugar, and results in a larger waist circumference.
#2: It conditions the taste buds for sweetness.
Youve probably noticed that the more regularly you taste something – whether that is sweetness, saltiness, etc. – the more accustomed to it you become. This is why individuals who stop eating sugar or salt suddenly find many commercially available foods extremely sweet or overly salty.
Artificial sweeteners found in sugar-free energy drinks are dramatically sweeter than real sugar. Although it may not register that way on your tongue, these popular diet drinks are, in fact, much sweeter than the regular versions.
Effects Of Energy Drinks On The Body Know The Pros And Cons
We all indulge in energy drinks every now and then, dont we? But, did you know about the effects of energy drinks on the body? Apart from the sudden jolt of energy and enthusiasm that you get, were you aware of the downsides to it?
To be honest, majority of us dont even know about the possible impacts energy drinks have on our body. As much as the positive impacts of the energy drinks are visible, there are some negative impacts that can eventually take a toll on your health.
Here, we have sorted out some of the known effects that energy drinks have on the body that you possibly didnt know about.
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Some Varieties Are Loaded With Sugar
Most energy drinks contain a sizable amount of sugar.
For example, one 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull contains 27 grams of sugar, while a 16-ounce can of Monster contains about 54 grams of sugar.
Consuming this much sugar will cause anyones blood sugar to spike, but if you have difficulty controlling your blood sugar or have diabetes, you should be particularly cautious with energy drinks.
Consuming beverages sweetened with sugar, like most energy drinks, leads to blood sugar elevations that can be bad for health, especially if you have diabetes.
These blood sugar elevations have been associated with increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, which have been implicated in the development of nearly every chronic disease .
But even people without diabetes may need to be concerned about the sugar in energy drinks. One study reported that drinking one or two sugar-sweetened beverages daily was correlated with a 26% higher risk of type 2 diabetes .
Luckily, many energy drink manufacturers are now making products that are either lower in sugar or have eliminated it altogether. These versions are more suitable for people with diabetes or those trying to follow a low-carb diet.
Summary:
People with diabetes should opt for low- or no-sugar versions of energy drinks to avoid harmful elevations in blood sugar.
No One Knows The Exact Flavors In Each
That’s right, for many Monster products, your guess is as good as mine as to what flavors the drink contains. Of course, the nutrition section reveals the ingredients, but we’re still at a loss to adequately describe the extracts used to flavor most products.
Take Monster Ultra Blue, another zero-calorie blend. It tastes like… uh… blueberries? Maybe a little raspberry or grape? Visit the Monster website, and the only information you’ll find regarding the drink’s taste states it “is a little less sweet and lighter-tasting.”
Sometimes Monster reveals key flavors, like the hints of cherry in Ultra Black, but for many products, you’ll need to taste them yourself to accurately gauge their essence
But I took a bullet for you and tried eleven different flavors. Here’s what I thought…
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Side Effects Of Drinking Relentless Energy Drink
Relentless Energys side effects will mostly revolve around caffeine-related issues.
Caffeine is the main source of Relentless side effects.
Generally, healthy adults wouldnt have a problem absorbing 160mg of caffeine.
People with caffeine sensitivity, however, may already have issues with this.
Here are some side effects that you should be aware of:
- Restlessness
Moreover, overconsumption of the drink can further lead to caffeine overdose and/or addiction.
Action Beyond The Individual Level
Reducing our preference for sweet beverages will require concerted action on several levelsfrom creative food scientists and marketers in the beverage industry, as well as from individual consumers and families, schools and worksites, and state and federal government. We must work together toward this worthy and urgent cause: alleviating the cost and the burden of chronic diseases associated with the obesity and diabetes epidemics in the U.S. and around the world. Fortunately, sugary drinks are a growing topic in policy discussions both nationally and internationally. Learn more about how different stakeholders can take action against sugary drinks.
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