Energy Drinks Can Be a Health Hazard

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There are people who love drinking energy drinks and those who would never try them. In Latvia they now have signs in supermarkets that energy drinks won’t be sold to anyone under the age of 18. This is all because there are health risks which should not be ignored. The main stimulant in energy drinks is caffeine. Even though some of these drinks are fortified with vitamins and minerals and might contain herbs and other additives unlike sports drinks they don’t contain any sodium, potassium and magnesium. Sugar energy drinks have twice the amount of sugar than sports drinks do. Keep in mind that there is a considerable different between energy and sports drinks. A moderate dose of caffeine is between 200 to 300 mg per day. Just one 8 oz. energy drink could cap these safe levels and there are people who drink more than one energy drink per day. It is not advisable to have more than 500 mg. of caffeine per day as it can result in nervousness, irritability and a fast heart rate. The American Heart Association did a report and discovered that energy drinks have the potential to raise blood pressure and give irregular heartbeats. A leading researcher for the European Society of Hypertension has urged doctors to tell their patients who have hypertension, heart disease and diabetes not to drink energy drinks. Not only would these patients be at risk but children are at risk as well. A report states that 30 to 50% of children consume energy drinks. This puts these children in danger of potentially serious adverse effects from these drinks since no child should have more than 100 mg. of caffeine per day. Another study reveals that energy drinks could contribute to a good deal of tooth decay. It was discovered that the enamel weight loss after exposure to energy drinks was much higher as compared to drinking sports drinks. In fact the effect was twice what it was with sports drinks. Losing enamel leads to tooth decay and cavities. So reach for drinks which are better for your health and avoid those energy drinks. What is your opinion of energy drinks and do you drink them? Read more: The Health Risks of Energy Drinks