Energy Drinks Usage - Essay Example

Kidim Alkidim English 110 Cynthia Fillmore 18 November Energy drinks Introduction Population segments such as and workers who may need to put in extra efforts may lack required energy and resort to energy drinks but this could be detrimental to the users’ bodies. People use energy drinks to overcome fatigue but the drinks have adverse effects on the body. It is important for such individuals to reduce the amounts of energy drinks they consume due to the resulting adverse effects including increased blood pressure and weight gain. However, the dangers associated with these drinks are facing a lot of press because of the increased numbers of energy drinks in the market and ease of access to them. This paper deals with the adverse effects of energy drinks and what should be done about it. Background Information The body requires rests at intervals and if this is not available then fatigue emerge. Some people may however want to overcome fatigue without rest and they resort to energy drinks. Students who wish to study overnight because of extreme demand are examples of people who may use energy drinks in order to overcome fatigue. The drinks offer “extra energy, increased alertness, and improve mental and physical awareness” (Carroll County n.p.). What such individuals using energy drinks should ask themselves is the chemical composition of such drinks is that restores their energy without much struggle. The Food and Drug Administration that ensures safety of consumables do not regulate energy drinks and this exposes people to possible adverse effects. The drinks are different from those that athletes use and this raises concerns on safety of energy drinks. Consumption of energy drinks is further common among adolescents to suggest irresponsible use (Carroll County n.p.). Though most energy drinks lack much caffeine, they are heavily sweetened and are easy to drink making them favorable for the younger population. As a result, there is an increased number of under 18s who have such dangerous side effects of these energy drinks. This result from taking too much energy drinks at a go. In addition, if energy drinks advertises for no caffeine, the energy in them comes from guarana, which is an equivalent of caffeine. Some energy drinks advertises for no crash but this claim refers to no sugar clash since such drinks are often sweetened with various artificial sweeteners. It is advisable for individuals to take any vitamins by eating a variety of foods rather than finding them in energy drinks or mineral supplements. Adverse effects Energy drinks increases blood sugar concentration and blood pressure. This occurs when consumed in a rush and is absorbed into the blood stream quickly. The sugar content adds to the existing concentration and this contributes to high blood pressure. The drinks are therefore a great threat to quality of life, because blood sugar and diabetes are significant terminal conditions, and measures for controlling their use are necessary (Carroll County n.p.). The affected rhythm of the heart also causes to an irregular heartbeat and eventually heart attack or cardiac death. Moreover, some individuals could have an existing heart condition, which could worsen if they happen to consume one energy drink. It is important for individuals to avoid overdoing the drinking of energy drinks if they have to in the first place. If one takes one can, it is important to watch out for any signs, which could be a signal for side effects. Excessive use of energy drinks may also lead to hospitalization, because of adverse symptoms. When the body accumulates high levels of sugar and caffeine, symptoms such as “irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, and nausea” emerge and could lead to hospitalization (Carroll County n.p.). This undermines perceived benefits because the user is not able to utilize generated energy for the intended purpose such as reading or working. The effects also identify cost of hospitalization. Consuming the drinks may therefore have reverse effects to worsen a person’s condition and induce financial burden. When mixed with alcohol, energy drinks increases risks of overdrinking and could lead to high mortality and morbidity rates. Because of their effects in body energy, a person may underestimate effects of alcohol in the body and over drink, leading to high risk of drunk driving and other effects of binge drinking (Carroll County n.p.). Most bars serve up breeds of cocktails. When such cocktails are mixed with energy drinks, their effects are likely to blunt one another. The caffeine in such energy drinks makes individuals think that they are sharper than they relay are. Though caffeine has been known to help individuals think clearly and improve the endurance level of individuals during exercises, it is required in only a small amount. Taking more of such caffeine is no better. The other ingredients in energy drinks also does very little to enhance the energy of an individual or their mental clarity. Some experts reveal that drinking energy drinks on their own can be much safer as opposed to taking them with other products. It is important for individuals to know what is in their drinks. Weight gain and lowered functionality are other effects of energy drinks. The drinks contain high amounts of calories that are associated with increased body weight and even obesity. This then identifies other risks such as cardiovascular disease that obesity mediates. The increased weight together with factors such as anxiety and irritation impairs cognitive and physical activity (Health Research Funding 1). Increased weight gain in an individual can also result into other harmful conditions including hypertension or cardiac arrest. Thus, either way, consumption of these energy drinks can result into health conditions, which can lead to death in extreme conditions. Individuals responses to caffeine in energy drinks varies and it is important for individuals to treat the drinks with maximum level of caution. The boost of heart rate caused can sometimes result into palpitations and dehydration of the body. That is why it is important that energy drinks are not used when an individual is exercising since the combination of loss of fluid from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine in the drinks can result into harmful levels of dehydration in an individual. In some other instances, energy drinks leads to insomnia thus preventing individuals from getting maximum levels of sleep required. Too much consumption of energy drinks could also lead to headaches and migraines in case the individual stops consuming them. These are some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with its consumption. As a result, individuals become addicted to its consumption and cannot live a day without taking it. Consuming more than one energy drink everyday could result into permanent damage to the health of the individual, which can be difficult to outdo. Such individuals are unable to function without an energy drink around or they strain financially to buy several cans of energy drinks each day. In other instances, individuals are more likely to engage in risky behaviors when under the influence of caffeine. Studies conducted reveal that teens are more likely to involve in various dangerous behaviors when high on caffeine. As a result, it could lead to various levels of injuries or getting into trouble with the law. This can in turn result into massive spending thus straining the individuals involved financially. The use of energy drinks could also lead to teeth damage due to the high levels of sweeteners or sugars used. This also adds into an individual’s budget adding to their financial strains. Conclusion Energy drinks could have the ability to increase body energy and boost alertness but its dangers that could cause reverse effects outweigh the perceived benefits. The fact that the drinks are popular among adolescents and lack of federal regulation exposes users to adverse risks. Effects such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes are terminal while other effects such as physical inactivity, hospitalization, and effects of alcohol consumption increases physical, psychological, and financial strains. Measures for controlling the drinks are therefore necessary. Moreover, there are a few groups of people for which energy drinks is not recommended. For instance, in the event of underlying conditions of the heart such as high blood pressure, it is important to consult a doctor before consuming any energy drinks. Pregnant women and those who are breast-feeding are also at a risk thus it is important for them to limit consumption of such energy boosting beverages. Moreover, the growing popularity of energy drinks is drawing the need for parents to be concerned about the amounts of caffeine that their children are getting. The American academy of the pediatrics makes a recommendation of less than 100 milligrams of caffeine a day for the adolescents. Younger children should avoid taking caffeinated beverages on a daily basis. It is important for individuals to refrain from consumption of excessive energy drinks or any amount of energy drink at all. The reason is that individuals are only doing themselves more harm than good. If one feels fatigued, it is important to regain energy from other less harmful activities like getting enough sleep. Moreover, one can rely on natural energy boosters like fresh fruits, which have no adverse effects on individuals. By so doing, cases of hospitalization or death due to effects of energy drinks will be significantly reduced. Works Cited Carroll County. “Energy drinks: Dangers for children and adults.” Carroll County. 2011. Web. November 18, 2014. . Health Research Funding. “Pros and cons of energy drinks.” Health Research Funding. March 28, 2014. Web. November 18, 2014. < http://healthresearchfunding.org/pros-cons- energy-drinks/ >. Read More