Essay Sample on Energy Drinks: Benefits, Risks and Alternatives

Energy drinks are any form of beverage with high stimulant ingredient levels, usually caffeine, supplements such as vitamins as well as sugars and are promoted as products that have the ability to increase an individual's mental alertness and performance (Rahamathulla 33). Companies that manufacture energy drinks always claim that they are capable of boosting energy levels among people (Rahamathulla 37). Majority of the energy drinks are usually carbonated and then sweetened with other chemicals and also include amino acids, taurine, and herbal extracts. However, energy drinks can have side effects if they are not consumed responsibly or as directed. The paper focuses on discussing why energy drinks are responsible for their side effects.

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Some of the side effects associated with energy drinks include heart palpitations, increased urination, headaches, and severe fatigue from withdrawal (Rahamathulla 23). Besides, energy drinks also cause side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbance, allergic reactions, dizziness, increased blood pressure, panic attacks, and anxiety. Energy drinks cause side effects because of the vast array of ingredients used and therefore are likely to produce more effects compared to beverages that only contain caffeine (Rahamathulla 77). Among the ingredients used include caffeine, taurine, sugar, ginseng, B vitamins, Ginkgo Biloba, and L-carnitine (Rahamathulla 17).

Ingredients used such as sugar are responsible for side effects such as tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, as well as increased risks of obesity. Ingredients such inositol may lead to side effects such as headaches, tiredness, stomach ache, and dizziness. Besides, ingesting large quantities of inositol may lead to diarrhea (Rahamathulla 63). Ginseng is also part of the ingredients used in the manufacture of energy drinks and is responsible for side effects such as low blood pressure, headache, insomnia, appetite loss, cholesteric hepatitis, and euphoria (Rahamathulla 23). Also, ginkgo Biloba that is usually part of the ingredients used is responsible for side effects such as restlessness, heart palpitations, and nausea. Besides, L-carnitine used in the manufacture of energy drinks is responsible for a stuffy nose and vomiting caused by the uptake of energy drinks.

Important to note is the fact that some of the ingredients used in energy drinks are responsible for drug interactions. For instance, ingredients such as caffeine can interact with prescription medications, especially for drugs used in depression management. Addiction is another side effect that is caused by energy drinks due to the presence of certain stimulants, such as caffeine (Rahamathulla 22). Therefore, energy drinks can lead to a lack of functioning or financial distress in the absence of the drinks. Increased uptake of energy drinks can lead to jitters and nervousness. Too much caffeine in energy drinks causes some individuals to be anxious and shake and therefore interfering with the performance of needed tasks as well as causing emotional issues.

Increased uptake of energy drinks leads to stress hormone release and, therefore, may lead to depression among individuals (Rahamathulla 79). Also, ingredients such as niacin may lead to aggression and mental health challenges. Conclusively, side effects caused by excessive consumption of energy drinks are primarily related to the content of caffeine. Excessive caffeine may lead to vomiting, convulsions, and high blood pressure. Therefore, the amounts and types of ingredients used in the manufacture of energy drinks are responsible for the above discussed side effects.

Works Cited

Rahamathulla, M. P. (2017). Prevalence, side effects, and awareness about energy drinks among the female university students in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan journal of medical sciences, 33(2), 347. Retrieved from https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Side+effects+of+energy+drinks+2017&btnG=#d=gs_cit&u=%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dinfo%3AHnjHtKEDHYoJ%3Ascholar.google.com%2F%26output%3Dcite%26scirp%3D6%26hl%3Den