Are Energy Drinks and Your Health Risky Business?
I know guys, young guys and others who drink energy booster drinks all day long. You know them as Red Bull, Monster, Amp, or Rockstar. There are so many but all have similar ingredients such as vitamins, taurine and caffeine. The whole point is to get the "rush" of energy or that "buzz" in order to stay awake or accomplish something.
Well, Jason Moore (32), is one young dude. Healthy. Prime. Jason consumed four such energy drinks per day to keep him on top of his job, be "energized". After several days, he started getting severe chest pains that were stopping and scaring the heck out of this young person. So much so, he went to the doctor. After a series of tests, the doctor concluded it must be the energy drinks.
Recent studies now conclude definitely that people with known high blood pressure and/or heart problems should not drink them. The reason is that for a person with no such issues, who drinks two energy drinks per day increase their blood pressure by 10 points and their heart rate is increased up to seven beats. For these adults, the increases are not problematic BUT if you have some undiagnosed cardiovascular disease, they could be deadly. Worse, one can of Red Bull can increase risk of heart attacks at any age.
Amp and Full Throttle energy drinks has 71 milligrams of caffeine. This is about two cups of regular coffee. A can of Pepsi has around 35 mg, its Pepsi max, 75mg (far cheaper than Amp). SoBe Adrenaline Rush has 76 mg of caffeine. Classic Coke has 23 mg.
Studies showed that one should not drink more than three of these per day. If you have heart murmurs, cardio issues, blood pressure issues avoid them. The effects may also linger after consumption so never consume them one after another, but allow least two hours or more between them. If you experience rapid heart beat and other feelings such as shortness of breath, do not consume more.
