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If you need to do a large amount of work in a short time, many people resort to the use of energy drinks. Manufacturers claim that their products can suppress drowsiness and increase efficiency – in principle, they do not lie, everything is so.
The stimulating effect is achieved due to the content of caffeine and sugar in the composition. In addition to them, glucose, taurine, ginseng extract, vitamin C, and so on are added to most energy drinks.
Almost all drinks of this kind are highly carbonated, because the content of a large amount of carbonic acid ensures the rapid absorption of all components and significantly increases the shelf life. Energy drinks are a very popular product, so let’s find out how they affect the human body?
What is added to energy drinks?
The main goal of every power engineer is to take as much energy as possible and provide it to a person to complete the task. To do this, the composition of stimulating drinks contains invigorating substances.
What substances in energy drinks fill a person with energy? Let’s find out now!
How does caffeine invigorate?
One of the main components of invigorating drinks is caffeine. When a person works for a long time, adenosine hormones settle on the receptors of the brain and other organs and cause a feeling of fatigue – caffeine prevents them from doing this, so people do not feel how much they are tired.
In addition, caffeine stimulates the production of the hormone adrenaline, which increases heart rate, raises blood pressure and thereby increases blood flow to the muscles. In addition, caffeine increases the concentration of the “happiness hormone” dopamine, which improves people’s mood.
Caffeine is one of the main components of energy drinks.
How does glucose invigorate?
The second most important component of energy drinks is glucose. In the human body, this compound is a source of energy to maintain metabolic processes. After entering the digestive system, glucose enters the bloodstream and is broken down into simpler molecules during glycolysis.
The energy obtained as a result of this phenomenon is stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – this is a kind of cellular “battery” that fuels metabolism.
Glucose is the second important component of energy drinks
What is taurine for?
Taurine is an organic compound that plays an important role in the body. The beneficial properties of taurine are that it:
- is an important component of bile, which is needed for the normal digestion of food;
- is part of all tissues of the body;
- regulates metabolism in cells;
- is an integral part of white and red blood cells, as well as cells of the immune system;
- plays an important role in the exchange of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium;
- transmits nerve impulses in the central nervous system;
- protects the cardiovascular and nervous systems from stress and stress.
Energy drinks manufacturers are adding taurine to drinks based on some research showing that it increases physical endurance. In fairness, it should be noted that there are scientific works that emphasize the low effectiveness of taurine in improving physical performance. So taurine in energy drinks does no harm, but there is little benefit from it.
By itself, taurine is useful, but in the composition of energy drinks it is unlikely
Ginseng in energy drinks
On some jars you can find information about the content of ginseng. It is usually added because of the opinion that it increases physical endurance and general well-being of a person.
In addition, there is evidence that ginseng helps the body resist stress. As with taurine, there is no conclusive evidence that ginseng has a positive effect on a person’s physical abilities.
This is what ginseng looks like
Are energy drinks harmful?
Manufacturers of energy drinks openly state that such drinks should not be drunk if you have problems with blood pressure, the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and hypersensitivity to caffeine. It goes without saying that invigorating drinks are contraindicated for children, pregnant and lactating women.
Everyone else is advised to drink a maximum of one jar per day, because increasing the dose can lead to health problems. This is mainly due to the high content of caffeine and sugar – because of carbonated water, they are quickly absorbed by the body.
In large quantities, energy drinks, of course, is harmful.
The influence of energy drinks on the nervous system
In case of intolerance to components or overdose, energy drinks can cause headache, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, tremors, and confusion. All this is due to the effect of sugar and caffeine – they really invigorate, and with frequent use cause problems with sleep, metabolism, and so on.
For cheerfulness sometimes you have to answer with a headache
The effect of energy drinks on the heart
Due to the high concentration of caffeine, the elasticity of blood vessels can change – this often causes cardiovascular diseases.
The risk increases when mixing energy drinks with alcoholic beverages, because the former invigorates, while the latter causes fatigue. As a result of mixing, a person can no longer control the amount of alcohol they drink, which sometimes even leads to death.
Sometimes the payoff is even worse
The effect of energy drinks on the stomach
Excessive intake of caffeine with carbonated water can cause hyperstimulation of the digestive tract. As a result, a person has nausea, vomiting and other problems – at a minimum, people suffer from heartburn. In addition to this, large amounts of sugar can harm the intestinal microflora.
This is especially dangerous because the intestines are closely related to the work of the brain.
Problems with the digestive system are guaranteed when using energy drinks on an empty stomach
Which countries ban energy drinks?
In general, the influence of energy drinks is rather poorly understood. Therefore, in some countries they are completely prohibited. This is especially true for energy drinks with alcohol – they are better known as alcoholic cocktails.
In some countries, energy drinks are strictly prohibited.
Energy drinks can be freely bought in 170 countries of the world, but some states restrict this business. For example, in December 2010, US authorities banned caffeinated energy drinks based on research showing they are unhealthy.
Since 2015, Lithuanian stores have been selling energy drinks only after reaching the age of majority – for the authorities, this is the same as alcohol. Since January 2018, alcoholic energy drinks cannot be sold in Russia, and in some regions a decision has been made not to sell them to all minors, regardless of the alcohol content.
In general, drink energy drinks or not, it’s up to you, The main thing is not to abuse them. In general, how often do you drink them? Or make do with coffee? Write in the comments section or here, it’s very interesting to know.
