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Energy drinks are not technically a "food". It's not for throwing them away, it's a fact and an important factor.
The Food & Drug Administration regulates all products defined as foods to ensure their safety for human consumption. Coffee drinks and sodas, for example, are not allowed to consume too much caffeine to avoid heart problems. But energy drinks are classified as supplements, which means they are not regulated and manufacturers are free to hold as much caffeine as they want in a single can. They can even mix caffeine with other stimulants so as to cause cardiovascular problems or the nervous system.
That's why doctors are trying to investigate the health effects of these cocktails containing caffeine. A new study showing that a single glass can reduce the function of blood vessels makes headlines, but similar results have been proliferating for years. The latest results are presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association. In 2015, researchers at the Mayo Clinic presented a study at the AHA's scientific sessions demonstrating that a single beverage increases the drinker's blood pressure and cortisol levels (a measure of stress).
Much of the concern about these drinks comes from their high concentrations of stimulants. It is quite possible to take an overdose of caffeine alone (although it takes 5 to 10 grams of substance, which would represent more coffee than your stomach could contain), and in combination with guarana, another stimulant, smaller amounts could have dramatic effects.
But that probably comes down to the basics. The World Health Organization has published a meta-analysis of energy drink studies that states that "the health risks associated with the consumption of energy drinks are mainly related to their caffeine content". An overdose of caffeine does not necessarily cause death, but may cause heart palpitations. , nausea, vomiting, convulsions, metabolic acidosis and hypertension. And that can kill you. The WHO study also indicates that adults who consume energy drinks may increase their risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes (caffeine reduces insulin sensitivity).
You may be wondering now why we do not see all of these risks associated with coffee consumption. Depending on the type, coffee-based drinks can absolutely contain as much caffeine as some energy drinks, although many energy drinks contain caffeine several times as a cup of coffee. The problem, notes the WHO, has more to do with how fast you drink the drink: "Although some types of coffee may have caffeine levels comparable to those of energy drinks, coffee is usually eaten hot and therefore more slowly. " Do not drink your morning coffee, even if it's an iced latte, but you can drink a can of chilled energy drink in minutes. This peak of caffeine could trigger a heart attack, even if the total dosage is identical to that of a powerful cup of cold beer.
In the United States, we do not track adverse events specifically related to energy drinks – they are all simply grouped under caffeine related events. But some countries do it. The German monitoring system indicates that since 2002, energy drinks have caused "liver damage, kidney failure, respiratory disorders, agitation, seizures, psychotic states, rhabdomyolysis, tachycardia, dysrhythmias. cardiac, hypertension, heart failure and death. Ireland and New Zealand have also each found about 15 to 20 serious complications related to the consumption of energy drinks over a period of about four to six years (Ireland from 1999 to 2005, Nova Scotia). Zealand from 2005 to 2009).
For these reasons, many countries have tried to completely eliminate energy drinks. France even managed to ban them briefly, but companies petitioned the European Commission, saying it was not there. evidence that their drinks were actively dangerous. The ban was revoked shortly thereafter. Some German states have successfully banned Red Bull Cola after a study in 2008 revealed small amounts of cocaine in the drink. Red Bull claimed that all active cocaine was removed from the cocaine used in their drinks, but the German bans were maintained. Australia, Denmark, Uruguay and Turkey ban all high-caffeinated beverages.
But in countries like the United States, energy drinks are sold everywhere and are actively sold to children and adolescents. 2011 review of health effects in the journal pediatrics noted that young people may be particularly susceptible because safe levels of consumption have not been established and they may have heart or metabolic problems that energy drinks can exacerbate, not to mention the fact that they contain tons of sugar.
Despite the WHO's recommendation to limit caffeine content per drink, energy drinks in the United States are still not regulated and will remain so unless they are reclassified as foods. In the meantime, you should probably stop drinking them. They may not be dangerous in small amounts, but nothing about them is healthy. Have coffee or tea, which will wake you in the morning and be much more difficult to do too much. Or you can simply go ahead and work to permanently eliminate your caffeine habit.
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