Energy Drinks: Dangerous Caffeine Obsession

Energy drinks have become a national obsession. Every where you look someone is either purchasing an energy drink or chugging one down. Not one of you stop and wonder what ingredients that this type of drink contains that gives this quick burst of energy. It is my hope that this article will shed some light on this potentially dangerous habit.

The Food and Drug Administration has a set limit of the amount of caffeine content that a soda/soft drink may contain at 71 mg. per 12 oz. However, there is no such set limit on energy drinks. The energy drinks that contain the highest levels of caffeine, do not even print this information on the label.

While energy drinks are often times described as being healthy to drink, with a wealth of vitamins, the truth of the matter is that some of these drinks may contain as much caffeine as 14 cans of soda. Ingesting too many of this type of energy drink could be highly dangerous.

Caffeine is a stimulant. It stimulates the cardiovascular and nervous system, increasing the heart rate and raises blood pressure. It also stimulates the muscles and increases urination. If a person has certain medical conditions such a s heart disease, high blood pressure or kidney disease the combination of caffeine in high doses with your medical condition could produce a deadly outcome. People with this type of medical problem should not consume energy drinks.

It is also a common practice among our younger generation(and others as well), to mix energy drinks and alcohol to enhance the effects of drinking. This is a very dangerous combination. The individual may feel alert enough to drive, but in all reality they are actually inebriated to the extent that they are a danger to themselves as well as others, should they get behind the steering wheel of a vehicle.

Caffeine can improve alertness and concentration in a person who does not regularly consume it, however someone that is accustomed to drinking several cups of coffee per day would have to consume an excessive amount of caffeine to experience the same effects.

The amount of caffeine that a person can consume safely within a 24 hour period should not exceed 300 mg. per day. The side affects of overconsumption are upset stomach, diarrhea, excessive urination leading to dehydration, headache and sometimes even death.

All energy drinks are not created equal. Just be aware of the ingredients that your choice of drink contains. Steer clear of drinks that have excessive amounts of caffeine as this is considered a very powerful drug that may be potentially hazardous to your health if consumed in large amounts.