If you consume energy drinks or know anyone who does, READ THIS PLEASE.
In the early 1960s, energy drinks began to be sold globally. By 1987, the game-changing formula was created: Red Bull.

Sadly, these energy drinks do a lot of harm to our health, and as far as I’m concerned, they are poison. It STRESSES YOUR HEART!!!

Here’s why:

I’ll start by sharing the common ingredients and their negative impact.

🎯Caffeine

This is the main stimulant. Yes, it does boost alertness and energy, but on the other hand, it can also cause jitters, anxiety, and crashes if taken in excess. Caffeine causes a short-term spike in blood pressure, even in people who don’t have hypertension. Studies show energy drinks can acutely stress the cardiovascular system, especially in people under chronic stress or with underlying conditions.
Caffeine has a half-life of 5–7 hours.
This means it can still be in your system at bedtime and thus disrupt your sleep.
The truth is that many people consume it in excess.

🎯Sugar (or High-Fructose Corn Syrup)

Sugar definitely provides quick energy… followed by a harsh crash. These last few weeks, I’ve been posting about the dangers of sugar. It’s often responsible for mood swings, irritability, and cravings. The brain doesn’t really need insulin to receive sugar into its cells, so sugar has easy access into it.

🎯Artificial Sweeteners

Do you know that artificial sweeteners are more dangerous than sugar? I will be discussing them in detail soon. They belong to a group of foods that wreak havoc on our health –C.R.A.P foods. The A represents artificial sweeteners and flavours, and alcohol.
These are found in the “sugar-free” versions.
Example: sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame potassium.
They also affect cravings for sugar and may disrupt gut health. Artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame K can disrupt gut bacteria and glucose regulation (imagine someone with diabetes drinking this).
For good health, your gut must be healthy. Remember that 75% of your immune system is in your GUT.

🎯Taurine

This is an amino acid that supports nerve and cardiovascular function, and it’s added to “enhance” the effect of caffeine. It can have both benefits and risks, depending on dosage and individual health conditions.
As of now, research is mixed on the benefits it has when combined with stimulants. Just imagine a combo with caffeine.

🎯B Vitamins (B3, B5, B6, B12)

These are water-soluble vitamins that naturally help with energy metabolism. The but is that in energy drinks, they are usually added in quantities far more than the body needs, and this excess doesn’t equal more energy. In fact, it causes:
📍Liver stress
📍Nerve damage
📍Skin reactions
📍Digestive issues

🎯Guarana

This is a natural stimulant, but what makes it scary is the fact that it contains twice the caffeine of coffee beans.
It’s often added without considering separately the caffeine it contains and its total additive effect. Energy drinks combine multiple stimulants to increase effectiveness, e.g., caffeine, taurine, guarana, and B vitamins. This leads to overstimulation that can cause:
📍Anxiety
📍Restlessness
📍Tremors
📍Panic-like symptoms

🎯Ginseng

Ginseng itself isn’t bad. However, though this is added to boost focus and reduce fatigue, it may interact with your medications!!! So it’s not just a neutral drink.

🎯L-Carnitine

This is a good compound and is added for its “fat-burning” ability. However, research results on this “ability” are inconsistent. As an advanced weight-loss consultant, it’s not a magic weight-loss ingredient. Weight loss is based on 6 – 7 pillars for it to be sustainable.

🎯Carbonated Water

I just don’t like fizzy water, I prefer still water.
It’s added for the fizzy effects it creates and helps the ingredients mix well. However, it has the following adverse effects:
📍Bloating
📍Acid-reflux
📍It’s slightly acidic and can affect the enamel of our teeth

🎯Preservatives & Additives

To be honest, we must learn to avoid foods or drinks that contain these chemicals. It’s added to extend shelf life and enhance taste or appearance. Examples found in energy drinks include sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and artificial colors/flavors.
Sodium benzoate is deadly!!! I learnt this when I was doing my detox specialist course. It is bad when combined with vitamin C, which can be found in fruits. The chemical reaction creates BENZENE, a DEADLY CARCINOGEN.

Let me summarise with this:

They can be addictive and also cause a horrible cycle of crashes and raving.
They cause dependency and addiction.

Energy drinks don’t give you real energy.
They borrow energy from your future, leaving your body more exhausted, stressed, and inflamed.

YOU DON’T NEED THEM !!!

Next week, I’ll share healthy alternatives.

I am a retired pharmacist who’s now a health and wellness coach and consultant.

Website: www.Opeoluwaokulaja.com