Orthopedics
07-11-2024
Energy Drinks: are they bad for you?
Publication date: 25-10-2024
Updated on: 25-10-2024
Topic:
Estimated reading time: 1 min
Medical Editor
Flavia Valtorta
Editor and Translator
Anastasiia ByvaltcevaTo date, there is no true scientific definition that describes energy drinks or classifies them within a specific product category. What we know is simply a common definition. Energy drinks, particularly in Italy, are registered as general consumption beverages and, sometimes, as natural supplements.
However, what is lacking is a precise description of the various ingredients and, especially, the effects these can have on the body if consumed in large quantities.
This is just one of several issues; it is not required to precisely declare the beverage's contents or the quantity of each substance present, as would be necessary if they were marketed as medications.
In reality, however, these are substances with pharmacological effects, as they can alter the functioning of our bodies, often with devastating consequences, particularly among younger people who consume them in much higher quantities.
Professor Flavia Valtorta, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, explains the health and social issues that these drinks entail and what could be the most effective solutions for regulating their registration and distribution.
The Effects of Energy Drinks on the Body
"The name ‘energy drink’ suggests that these beverages provide energy, but in reality, they are designed more to deliver mental energy, a sense of strength, and heightened alertness to combat drowsiness and fatigue," explains Professor Valtorta.
"In a way, they are energizing because the substances they contain activate the cardiovascular system, making the heart pump harder, which, for example, can lead to better physical performance.
The primary target organs are the brain and the heart. These drinks, with their aggressive advertising, leverage these effects and have a strong appeal, particularly among young people," the professor notes.
Energy Drinks and Alcohol: What Happens to the Body When Combined
The most dangerous use of energy drinks is when they’re mixed with alcohol, which intensifies their effects even further.
"Alcohol causes both a sense of euphoria and overexcitement, but also a feeling of dizziness. So, when energy drinks are combined with alcohol, this dizzy sensation is partially counteracted: you feel good, strong, and able to stay awake all night despite being intoxicated. But in reality, this is a double-edged sword for several reasons:
- It leads to drinking more alcohol: without feeling intoxicated, people tend to engage in risky behaviors like driving. Even though they may feel awake, their reflexes are significantly slowed because the effects of alcohol are still present.
- It strains the body more: for example, in settings like rave parties, people dance for days on end, sweat, and become dehydrated. Dehydration is worsened by energy drinks, especially if taken with other substances that activate the muscles, like the stimulant drugs sometimes sold in clubs, which can lead to serious consequences."
For all these reasons, these drinks are not even marketed in some countries.
In Italy, they are sold without detailed ingredient information because many of these substances are classified as natural, even though they contain stimulants like caffeine, maltodextrin, and taurine (a substance that our body produces naturally, but in much lower concentrations than those found in these drinks).
This can create a kind of dependency, especially when combined with other substances (e.g., alcohol), because the body becomes accustomed to this state of stimulation. When the effect wears off, extreme fatigue sets in.
The Effects on Heart and Brain
The issue is real and primarily concerns young people.
"As mentioned, an excess of these substances can lead to very serious consequences, particularly in specific groups of people, such as those with heart conditions," explains Prof. Valtorta.
This is because energy drinks increase the heart's pumping action, which requires a greater supply of oxygen. If someone already suffers from heart conditions, they should be aware of the risks they are taking by consuming energy drinks, especially since these contain stimulants like caffeine.
This caution is not only for at-risk individuals but for everyone.
In addition to the heart, there are short-term risks linked to effects on the central nervous system, including insomnia, nervousness, tremors, and in severe cases, even seizures.
As for long-term effects, besides dependency, energy drinks can exacerbate issues and symptoms related to ischemic heart disease. They also predispose consumers to diabetes due to their high sugar content, which itself leads to dependency.
Even just one 33 cl can of an energy drink can have stimulating effects comparable to those of 5–6 cups of coffee.
Differences with Sports Drinks
“Energy drinks,” the doctor clarifies, “should not be confused with sports drinks, as the latter are consumed during or after a sports performance to replenish the fluids and minerals lost during intense activity.
However, one must also be cautious about the sugar content in sports drinks. While sugars can help replenish energy, they can also worsen blood glucose levels, leading to a mild dependency.”
What We Can Do
“To counter this phenomenon,” concludes Valtorta, “I believe it is essential to raise awareness about the issue and specifically about the risks these drinks pose. We should urge the Ministry of Health to implement labels warning about the dangers of the product, especially for those at risk and for the general population when consumed in excess.
Another way to limit consumption is to enforce stricter controls on distribution, establishing an age limit below which these drinks should not be accessible, particularly to very young individuals.”