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Written by Navneet Kaur, M.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics
Diet
Explore the impact of caffeine in energy drinks and the potential risks associated with excessive consumption. Understanding the limits is crucial for maintaining health and well-being.
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Energy drinks are beverages containing caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants like taurine and guarana, designed to provide a temporary boost in energy and alertness.
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Energy drinks often contain high levels of caffeine, ranging from 80 to 300 milligrams per serving, much higher than other caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea.
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Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increasing alertness and temporarily reducing fatigue. However, excessive consumption can lead to adverse effects on health.
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Consuming too much caffeine from energy drinks can lead to insomnia, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and even caffeine overdose.
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High caffeine intake, especially late in the day, can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and poor sleep quality, which can have long-term health consequences.
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Excessive caffeine consumption can strain the cardiovascular system, potentially increasing the risk of heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and hypertension.
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Many energy drinks are high in sugar, which can contribute to weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes.
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Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is common but dangerous. The stimulating effects of caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, leading to risky behaviour and alcohol poisoning.
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While energy drinks can provide a temporary energy boost, excessive consumption can harm health. It is advisable not to exceed the total caffeine intake of 300mg daily from tea, coffee, energy drinks, pre-workouts, and other caffeinated foods and beverages.
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