Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Popular energy shots are not healthy
At a recent blood pressure screening at a community event, a
33-year-old man stopped to get his reading. It was the highest reading of the day: 165/104.
I explained that
according to American Heart Association guidelines, normal blood pressure
should be around 120/70. When questioned if he had a history of high blood
pressure, he denied any knowledge of it. Upon further probing, he admitted he just finished drinking a
5-Hour Energy shot, something he did at least once daily.
When I explained how unhealthy energy shots were, he
replied, “Then why do they sell them?” Of course, my answer was, “Because people will buy
them. They sell cigarettes, don’t they?”
Energy shots are loaded with caffeine, even though the
manufacturers are not required to disclose their products’ caffeine
content.
Caffeine is the stimulant that gives the “kick” or energy
boost. Although it boosts energy
temporarily, the unwanted side effects are rapid heartbeat, elevated blood pressure,
insomnia, nervousness, difficulty concentrating, nausea, and more. It simply
forces the heart to work harder. Adding
up the caffeine consumed in a day with energy shots, coffee, and sodas like
cola or Mountain Dew just spells trouble.
Alternatives to energy shots include fruit juices, decaffeinated
green tea, and low-fat milk.
Hands down, the healthiest choice for a beverage is
water. No calories, no
preservatives, no fat, no sugar and especially no caffeine.
Water keeps you refreshed and hydrated, boosts energy
naturally, and aids digestion.
For people who
insist they don’t like the taste of water, I suggest adding a squeeze of fresh
lemon or lime juice to make it more palatable.
Bring a reusable
water bottle wherever you go — and avoid energy shots and be kind to your
heart.
Alice Facente is a community education nurse for the Backus
Health System. To comment on this column or others, visit the Healthy
Living blog at www.backushospital.org/backus-blogs or e-mail Ms. Facente or any of the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org.
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