The effect of energy drinks on the body and their health risks
Consumption of high-caffeine energy drinks is becoming
an increasing risk to the health of children and adolescents.
Recent studies have shown that
these drinks can negatively affect young people's sleep, concentration, and mental health, and are also linked to an increased risk of obesity, heart problems
and mood disorders.
While many parents and professionals seek to educate young people about the dangers of these drinks, children and teenagers continue to consume them frequently, raising experts' concerns about their short- and long-term effects.
The effect of caffeine on the body
Caffeine enters the blood within about 10 minutes after ingestion
and reaches its peak after 45–50 minutes, temporarily increasing alertness and concentration. After it decreases, the user feels tired and has low energy, and about 50% of the caffeine content remains in the blood after five to six hours, and the duration varies according to gender, age, and weight.
Doctors warn that
energy drinks may pose serious risks to people with hereditary heart diseases, as they can disrupt the heart's electrical system and increase the risk of irregular heartbeats, especially when beverage consumption is combined with poor lifestyle such as sleep deprivation, dehydration, and e-smoking.
In a study
at the Mayo Clinic in the United States
researchers analyzed data from 144 patients who survived a heart attack. Seven of them had consumed energy drinks before the accident, three were regular users, and four had hereditary heart disease. The study showed that consuming energy drinks may increase the risk, but did not prove the direct cause of heart attacks.
Caffeine poisoning is also rare but serious
and occurs when 1,200 mg of caffeine is exceeded.
High-caffeine energy drinks contain high levels of sugar. For example, a can of Red Bull (250 ml) contains 27.5 grams of sugar. Excessive sugar increases the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and cancer.
It also contains taurine
- an amino acid that plays a role in regulating calcium in nerve cells
- and controlling inflammation. High levels may cause vomiting
A British study that
included more than 1.2 million children showed that consuming energy drinks is linked to increased headaches, irritability, fatigue, stomach pain, and short sleep duration, in addition to the risk of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Warning study..
A common ingredient in energy drinks may fuel cancer
Modern science is witnessing increasing interest in the impact of common components in the daily diet on public health, especially with regard to chronic and cancerous diseases.
Among these ingredients
taurine
an amino acid produced naturally in the body and widely added to
energy drinks and nutritional supplements thanks to its alleged benefits
such as improving mental performance and resisting inflammation – stands out as a substance currently undergoing careful scientific study to understand its potential role in biological processes within the body, especially in leukemia patients.
The study
conducted by a team from the Wilmot Cancer Institute
at the University of Rochester, revealed that taurine
which is widely used in energy drinks such as Red Bull and Celsius
may contribute to nourishing leukemia cells and promoting their growth.
Leukemia cells
have been shown to absorb taurine and use it as an energy source through a process known as "glucose hydrolysis," where glucose in cells is broken down to produce the energy needed for their division and reproduction.
Although
the results are still preliminary
and require further research, the study team believes that reducing taurine absorption in cancer cells may open the door to promising treatment options. Researchers are also currently studying the possibility of a relationship between taurine and other types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer.