While they may be tempting to try, it’s best to use caution.
“As we are learning more about energy drinks, we are becoming much more aware about reports of patients who have experienced pretty serious side effects of energy drinks, in the form of stroke or even heart attack,” said Dr. Marc-Alain Babi, neurocritical care specialist for Cleveland Clinic. “And part of it is contributed either to patient underlying risk factor, if the patient or individual has underlying cardiac or even prior stroke, but also probably related to the composition of the energy drink itself.”
With new brands frequently appearing on store shelves and being advertised online, energy drinks have become more and more popular over time.
It’s best to exercise caution even though they could be alluring to attempt.
Dr. Marc-Alain Babi, a neurocritical care expert at the Cleveland Clinic, stated that as we learn more about energy drinks, we are becoming increasingly aware of accounts of patients who have suffered from quite catastrophic adverse effects, such as heart attacks or strokes. Additionally, a portion of it is likely related to the energy drink’s content as well as the patient’s existing risk factors, such as any underlying cardiac conditions or even previous strokes.
According to Dr. Babi, energy drinks are not subject to FDA regulation, so manufacturers are free to include any compounds they like.
This frequently involves consuming excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners, sugar, and stimulants like coffee.
Excessive caffeine use can raise the risk of dehydration, anxiety, sleeplessness, elevated blood pressure, and elevated heart rate.
It might be challenging to figure out how many energy drinks are safe to eat because each brand employs a different combination of ingredients, he added.
However, adults should consume 400 mg of caffeine each day, while children aged 12 to 18 should consume 100 mg.
Even while the likelihood of complications from energy drinks is quite low, not everyone who drinks them will have severe side effects. However, when they do occur, they can have very serious long-term consequences, like stroke. Dr. Babi pointed out that this is why utmost caution is advised.
He also advises consumers to exercise caution when using over-the-counter supplements for weight loss and body building. Like energy drinks, they are not subject to FDA regulation.