A Report on Energy Drinks

Question: Do "energy" or "power" drinks actually increase energy? How might they work, or how might they cause problems? Answer: Introduction: This report aims at highlighting upon energy drinks that are available in the market in abundance, and almost every now and then leading companies are competing with each other by launching new energy drinks. This report provides us with some key information like whether these energy drinks actually increase energy or not. It also states the manner of working of these energy drinks and most importantly the associated health problems of these energy drinks. Very often it has been witnessed that a new supercharged drink is launched into the market thereby giving a stiff competition to the existing ones. A host of such energy drinks are flooding the market and promising the customers to reenergize them with energy, refreshment, and taste. These products claim to boost customers workout, improving health and also staying healthy and concerned ('Energy Drinks, Caffeine, and Athletes', 2014). Undoubtedly, the businesses of those firms are booming. From the research it has been inferred that by 2014, the global market value of the energy drinks has reached $47 billion as per Just-drinks.com which is a compiler of beverage industry information. However, despite all that craze and buzz, the big question is whether these energy drinks are actually increasing energy or not (Dyer, 2010). The drinks are supposed to perform what the name suggests that is giving an extra burst of energy. However what turns out is that the energy is derived from two i ngredients sugar as well as caffeine. A normal energy drink contains up to 80 milligrams of caffeine. As per a comparison study it had been identified that the average 12 ounce soda bears 18 to 48 mg of caffeine. Sports drinks are prepared that are meant to replenish fluids lost during activities. these usually contain water, sugar, and electrolytes (Choueke, 2010). On the other hand, energy drinks have added caffeine as well as other ingredients which according to the manufacturers, are there to increase stamina as well as boost level of performance. Such drinks are meant for students, athletes or someone who needs extra energy. Though manufacturers of the energy drinks claim that these drinks enhance the endurance as well as performance, yet health professionals and experts do not agree with it. Any sort of boost one gets from such drinks is basically from the contained sugar as well as caffeine. Caffeine works by blocking the impacts of adenosine which is a chemical involved in sleep. When adenosine is blocked by caffeine, it leads to the firing of brain neurons. Assuming that the body is at a state of emergency, the pituitary gland starts the fight or flight response of the body by release of adrenaline (Jones, 2011). The hormone enables the heart to beat faster as well as the eyes dilate. This leads the lever to release additional sugar in the bloodstream for more energy. The caffeine is said to impact upon the dopamine level which is a chemical within the brain center for pleasure. Various physical responses give a feeling of having increased energy. As per the research, energy drinks are normally safe; however these must be taken in moderate level. Since caffeine is a stimulant and increased consumption may cause heart palpitations, insomnia, and anxiety (McGraw, 2013). This may also make one feel jittery as well as irritable. With prolonged consumption, caffeine may be addictive. It is even a diuretic that causes the kidneys to eliminate extra fluid in the urine. This results in reduced level of fluid within the body. Thus, drinking energy drink during exercising may be specifically dangerous. The combined effect of sweating as well as diuretic impact may severely dehydrate an individual. Often people mix energy drink with alcohol to prepare a high-energy cocktail. As alcohol is a depressant, it casts its tranquilizing impact upon the body which can make one unaware of the amount that is drunk. Also, there is a high probability that the body gets dehydrated fatally since both the liquids are dehydrating in nature (Peterson, 2013). Some other ingredients may also be problematic. For instance, the stimulant ephedrine which is an ingredient in several decongestants may lead to heart problems. In the year 2001, two students from California high school had fainted after ingesting energy drinks bearing ephedrine. Since too less research has been undertaken upon the long-standing health impacts of taking excessive quantity of taurine as well as other ingredients within energy drinks, several health professionals advise pregnant woman as well as young children to ignore them (Roberson, 2005). Besides caffeine, most of the energy drinks advertise a new blend of herbs along with other ingredients. Varieties of sugar-free exist and these energy drinks contain large level of sugar in them. The energy giving elixirs are basically combination of taurine, guarana, vitamins B, and ginseng (Wadman, 2010). Though the manufacturers of the energy drinks claim or imply that their products may have positive results upon the cognitive performance, recent studies have shown that while comparing against placebo, drinking energy drinks bear n positive impact upon the reasoning, concentration, or aptitude. Energy drinks are basically packaged like soda and even taste like soda. The difference lies in the extra ingredients or extra hype around the ingredients. Frequently-promised heightened mental awareness from such drinks is basically due to caffeine content that varies tremendously. Caffeine is natural and widely consumed stimulant across the globe. Many believe that it is a free abundant source of quick energy with no side effects (Rosenbloom, 2014). Actually this can be quite contrary. Both University of Massachusetts Department of Emergency Medicine as well as Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust had warned that this stimulant caffeine may increase blood pressure, aggravate psychiatric conditions, disrupt sleeping habits, and even induce reliance. Caffeine works by blocking the impacts of adenosine which is a chemical involved in sleep (Sepkowitz, 2013). When adenosine is blocked by caffeine, it leads to the firing of brain neurons. Excess quantity consumption of caffeine may lead t o intoxication with increased heartbeat, seizure, vomiting, and even death. Conclusion: The drinks are supposed to perform what the name suggests that is giving an extra burst of energy. However what turns out is that the energy is derived from two ingredients sugar as well as caffeine. The caffeine is said to impact upon the dopamine level which is a chemical within the brain center for pleasure. As per the research, energy drinks are normally safe; however these must be taken in moderate level. Since caffeine is a stimulant and increased consumption may cause heart palpitations, insomnia, and anxiety. So, it is concluded that the energy drinks are not worth at all for our health. The marketers may advertise their products in a grand manner emphasizing upon the health benefits, but it cannot be denied that these are harmful for our health in numerous ways. 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