Nowadays, many people turn to energy drinks for that little extra boost throughout the day, but sometimes it’s better to use caution before opening your next can.
According to physicians, there have been several reports of patients who’ve experienced serious side effects because of consuming energy drinks. Some of the more serious cases reported resulted in a stroke or even heart attacks.
Dr. Marc-Alain Babi, a neurocritical care specialist for Cleveland Clinic, said the danger surrounding energy drinks is the fact that the FDA does not regulate them. This means that brands can add any ingredients they want which can result in excessive amounts of stimulants like caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners.
When a person consumes too much caffeine, it can put them at risk for dehydration, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, anxiety and insomnia.
Since every brand uses a different blend of ingredients, it can be hard to determine how many energy drinks are safe to consume. The daily recommended amount of caffeine for an adult is 400 milligrams, which is equal to 10 cans of soda.
However, for kids between the ages of 12 and 18, it’s 100 milligrams, which is equal to one 8oz cup of coffee.
Babi also urged people to be cautious with over-the-counter bodybuilding and weight loss supplements because just like energy drinks they are not regulated by the FDA.
“While the rate of complication, what we see from energy drinks is fairly low, again, not everyone who consumes energy drinks will experience serious side effects, but when those serious side effects happen, it can have pretty serious long-term outcomes, such as stroke. Hence the recommendation to be extremely cautious,” noted Dr. Babi.
To read more about the dangers of energy drinks, click here.