I need this so bad; I can’t fall asleep now. Gosh! Where is this Fearless energy drink? Is this what you tell yourself whenever you search through the house? Or probably, your eyes scan through the store to look for a brand of energy drink. In that case, you must be aware of the pros and cons of energy drinks.
I recently realized that some persons take energy drinks like they take juice without knowing how harmful it can be to their health if taken in such an unreasonable quantity. Even in the USA, most youths and adolescents take these drinks to keep them awake, especially during exam seasons. I know a friend who consumes energy drinks like water, which is detrimental to an individual’s health.
The first time I got to know about this was months ago while talking to my brother via video call and boom! I saw him gulping a bottle of Monster. I explained to him why he shouldn’t take too much of this new-found drink, and that was when he expressed his ignorance of the situation.
A friend of mine shared a similar experience with me hence the need to enlighten us on this topic.
Now, what exactly are energy drinks?
Energy drinks are “Any of various types of beverage that are considered a source of energy, especially a soft drink containing a high percentage of sugar and/or caffeine or other stimulants.” These stimulants provide the consumer with mental and physical stimulation. Energy drinks may or may not be carbonated. They contain a variety of ingredients such as amino acids, taurine, herbal extracts, sweeteners, etc. with the main ingredients being caffeine and sugar. Commonly known energy drinks are Red Bull, Monster Energy, Rockstar, 5-hr energy, NOS, Full Throttle, Xyience, Bang, Celsius, Zevia, Burn, and Amp Energy.

What about Caffeine?
Caffeine is a legal and natural stimulant that keeps alert and reduces tiredness of the brain and Central Nervous System when consumed. Usually, a high percentage of sugar or caffeine has been reported to increase heart rate.
Energy Drinks vs Sports Drinks
People often use energy drinks in place of sports drinks. It is essential to know that energy drinks are different from sports drinks, which are drinks that enhance sports performance. Sports drinks are flavored beverages that contain carbohydrates, minerals, electrolytes, vitamins, and other nutrients, while energy drinks use caffeine as its primary source of oxygen. “Some energy drinks pack more than 500milligrams of caffeine, which is enough to cause caffeine toxicity.” On the other hand, sports drinks contain 24milligrams of caffeine per serving. Let’s be guided!
There is also a misconception among alcohol users that mixing alcohol with energy drinks helps neutralize the effects of alcohol. In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a research and concluded that it is doubtful for caffeine to mask alcohol intoxication.
Energy Drink’s Mechanism of Action
Biologically, what happens when an individual consumes an energy drink is as follows— the amount of epinephrine (adrenaline) in the blood increases, which subsequently increases blood pressure. An increase in blood pressure then causes the heart to contract, which finally increases the individual’s heart rate. Imagine taking three bottles of an energy drink; you can guess the result.
Benefits of Energy Drinks
Now that we know something about its mechanism of action let’s dive into the benefits.
1. Increases the alertness of consumer
2. Elevates mood of the consumer
3. Improves consumer’s memory
4. Increase exercise performance
5. Faster caffeine delivery
Although these drinks are beneficial, taking them in excess can be very dangerous. Why is that Ruth? Well, let’s learn.

Dangers of Energy Drinks
The main reason why energy drinks are harmful when taken in high amounts is due to caffeine overdose. The overdose of caffeine then leads to several unwanted effects. Here are some known adverse effects of caffeine overdose:
1. Cardiovascular effect: increased heart rate, eventually leading to cardiac arrest (heart stoppage); cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions or suddenly stops beating.
2. Panic attack and anxiety.
3. Nervousness.
4. Caffeine withdrawal symptoms like headaches, depression, insomnia, etc.
5. Increased urination.
6. Type-2 diabetes.
7. Still-birth in pregnant women, or low birth weight, and more.
So, Who Are the Ideal Users of Energy Drinks?
Unfortunately, there are no strict age restrictions when it comes to energy drinks. Some of the producing companies, however, advise children against the use of their products as it’s preferable for youths and adults usage. It is now the responsibility of parents and custodians to ensure that children don’t consume this highly caffeinated drink.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns that energy drinks have no place in children’s and adolescents’ diets. An excessive amount of caffeine can affect the appropriate balance of carbohydrate, fat, and protein intakes needed for optimal growth development, body composition, and health. Health organizations even advise that children should not take more than 100mg caffeine per day while an adult shouldn’t go above 400mg.
Yes, we have the right to take energy drinks, but do they benefit us in the long run? I believe that the companies producing these products need to do a better job of enlightening the public on the effects of what they are selling.
As I conclude, make sure you have a good knowledge of any substance you put in your body. Also, do all things in moderation.
Read also: COVID-19| 5 BRILLIANT WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IN THIS SEASON
Read more here: PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE: Prescription Painkillers, Misconceptions, and MOA
Very nice, thanks for the enlightenment, I hope our African dudes will consider this prominent and make use of this vital information,…SARMLife 💯 😍✅
I hope so too. You welcome.
In the Netherlands, energy drinks come with caffeine concentrations of 32 mg/100mL. This means that 1 can of 500 mL monster energy drink contains 160 mg of caffeine. Yet, this article states that “Some energy drinks pack more than 500milligrams of caffeine, which is enough to cause caffeine toxicity”. This seems rather exaggerated to me. Or could you elaborate more on this, please?
Hello Luís, thank you for taking your time to read through. On average, the amount of caffeine in an energy drink is between 40-300mg, but according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), some energy drinks contain more than 500mg caffeine. I researched to get a name, but couldn’t find any.
Thanks for this post; my friends and I consume a whole lots of energy drinks weekly. My shopping is incomplete without Monster, Red Bull,Fearless, Power horse and the likes in my cart. Now I know better to watch the intake and I’m going to enlighten my friends and folks close to me on the merits and demerits of energy drinks and why the consumption should be controlled.
Please do enlighten them. Yes, you can take them, but not in exorbitant amounts.
Well done Ruth! This was very informative and it’s one thing that needs to made known even more to everyone 🙌
I agree! You are welcome.
Wow…this is so educative Ruth..i love it…i.learned something new… thanks…keep doing this pls
Thank you Paul.
Thanks for enlightening us Ruth.
I remember a period I was addicted to energy drinks, it was so bad that I couldn’t resist tasting it whenever I set my eyes on the bottle.
A friend of mine noticed I was addicted and he advised I stop taking it.. It wasn’t that easy but I stopped drinking it gradually.
One thing I noticed was, whenever I take it, I was always hyped up and having headaches; this didn’t really have a good impact on me..
Thank God I stopped anyways….
Thanks for this article once again.
Wow, I am glad to hear that you are doing better with energy drinks.
The consumption of energy drink can be lethal. Had one once and felt as if u was having a heart attack. Persons take it to combat intoxication however because it rushes quickly through the blood steam it increases the heart rate and cause palpitation, it also has adverse effects on the liver.
The adverse effects far outweighs the pros, I’d rather stay away from it. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Too much of everything is bad talking about energy drink someone as to limit the one you take n not all the time I have a friend who like taking pessi everyday and that makes her tommy coming out big and now she can’t do anything to the Tommy against
Too much of everything is indeed bad. Please tell your friend to stop taking pepsi excessively for the above reasons.
My boyfriend used to drink so much red bull, I was very worried about him 😳
Wow, I hope he is doing better now.
Tada I can see so much progress here so happy for you boss lady Ruthie. Btw I don’t consume energy drinks only when exhausted, thanks for the info Mua.
I like the sound of that, thanks Esther. You welcome.
Thanks for the enlightenment,I really appreciate it.
You welcome
Mee was here
Wawuu!!! I used to think its a good alternative to alcoholic drinks. Thanks for this information❤.
It’s not. You welcome.
I see you
I don’t consume energy drinks o but I have friends who do…. reading about how much harm it causes only gives me more reasons to stay away…..plus I think it’s very easy to get addicted to it….This post has really increased my knowledge.
The addiction rate is pretty high. I will advice you to inform your friends on the dangers of excessive consumption.
Energy drinks do have it’s advantages, but the adverse effect of it is also severe
It’s a dead sentence.
I’ll rather settle for water than to take and an energy inducer that can spoil the liver
Thanks for letting this info out, it health supportive and educative.
Haha, I’d rather stick to water too. You welcome
Information is power.
It sure is
Thank for this post…indeed am been taught and my knowledge about this concept is heightened.
You are welcome
Such lessons!
I’ve never really liked energy drinks because I always felt that something so powerful could have big side effects. Thank you for enlightening us.
You are welcome
What a bunch of hog wash. Am increase in heart rate doesn’t lead to Cardiac arrest! Who wrote this tripe?
Here is an explanation to clear the confusion: When the heart rate increases, it affects rhythm of the lower chambers of the heart by beating too fast (Ventricular fibrillation). When this happens, a cardiac arrest is sometimes inevitable. I hope you have a better understanding now.
https://medcraveonline.com/MOJAP/MOJAP-06-00244.pdf
She is right.
It’s easy to drink but difficult and painful to face the consequence of drinking. There’s Freedom of drinking but freedom after drinking too much is not guaranteed.
Insightful! Thanks for sharing
Freedom after drinking too much is surely not guaranteed! You are welcome