Healthy Living

I won’t be winning any popularity contests with this topic, but let’s go ahead and talk about energy drinks.

It’s hard to believe how popular they are – you can find them at the checkout counter of every convenience store, grocery store, gas station, and of course, on the internet.

Energy drinks are beverages that contain large doses of caffeine and/or non-caffeine stimulants. They are used to increase energy, enhance mood, and delay sleep.

They are definitely not harmless, as many people seem to believe. Here is an example. I was conducting a free blood pressure screening at a community fair and a young 33-year-old man asked me to check his blood pressure. The result was the highest of the day: 165/104. When I asked him if he had any history of hypertension or heart disease, he denied any knowledge of it.

Upon further probing, he admitted he had just finished a 5-hour energy drink, something he did at least once daily. When I explained how unhealthy energy drinks were, his response was, “Then why do they sell them?” My reply was, “Because people will buy them. They sell cigarettes, don’t they?” Of course, there may be more health issues involved with this young man, but it was certainly an eye-opener for him.

The issue becomes even more concerning when young children are involved. Poison control data show energy drinks and young kids don’t mix. More than 40 percent of 5,156 calls about energy drinks to U.S. poison control centers involved children younger than 6, with some suffering serious cardiac and neurological symptoms, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014. That’s an alarming statistic.

Many people don’t realize stimulants in energy drinks may have other names which are less recognizable than caffeine. Look for these ingredients on the label:

Caffeine stimulants:
• Methylxanthines
• Theine
• Mateine
• Guaranine/Guarana
• Methyltheobromine
• Methyltheophylline

Non-caffeine stimlulants:
• Ginseng
• Ma-huang
• Ephedra
• Other ephedra-like substances

Symptoms of caffeine poisoning may include: nausea, vomiting, nervousness, tremor, insomnia, restlessness, delirium, sweating, headache, seizures, and increased heart rhythm. Seek medical attention for these symptoms. The Poison Control Center hotline number is 1-800-222-1222.

Alternatives to energy drinks include fruit juices, decaffeinated green tea, and low-fat milk. But hands down, the healthiest choice for a beverage is water. No calories, no preservatives, no fat, no sugar, and especially no caffeine. For those who dislike the taste of water, I suggest squeezing a few drops of lemon or lime juice to make it more palatable.

Bring a reusable water bottle wherever you go and avoid energy drinks...and be kind to your heart.