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Energy drink ads are colorful and original. Manufacturers promise that their compositions will inspire the consumer, fill them with strength, turn either into Carlson or Superman. Power engineers are really able to help a student learn the material of the whole semester a few nights before the exam, a minibus driver or a truck driver – almost around the clock to drive a car in difficult conditions, a frequenter of discos – to dance all night long, and go to work or study in the morning.
However, doctors are less optimistic: as the popularity of energy drinks grows, serious diseases of the vessels, liver, pancreas, and nervous system become much younger. To understand the benefits and harms of energy drinks, let’s look at their composition.
Types of power engineers
There are two main types of energy drinks (stimulants):
- non-alcoholic;
- low alcohol.
Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol energy drinks may contain:
- caffeine, theine, mateine are alkaloids. Substances tone up, stimulate the brain, increase blood pressure, muffle the feeling of hunger;
- theobromine is an extract from cocoa beans. It is an alkaloid similar in action to caffeine;
- taurine – participates in metabolic processes, affects the lowering of blood glucose and blood pressure;
- extracts of ginseng, guarana, lemongrass, echinacea – plants that are traditionally used in folk medicine to strengthen the body and quickly restore strength;
- carnitine – accelerates fat metabolism and increases appetite;
- melatonin – a hormone that regulates the frequency of sleep and affects the endocrine system;
- vitamins of group B – substances that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and are necessary for the correct transmission of signals between neurons;
- sweeteners and other flavorings, flavorings, food colorings, preservatives.
In addition to stimulants, isotonics (sports catalysts) are available for sale, designed for athletes who need to replenish their strength after training. Isotonics are a mixture of salts, vitamins and flavorings, powdered or diluted in water.
Features of non-alcoholic energy drinks
By carefully studying the composition of non-alcoholic energy drinks, we can conclude that they consist of some useful products. The problem is that there are too many of these substances in drinks (often several daily doses) and they combine in a very bizarre way. It is impossible to predict in advance how the body will react to a loading dose of compounds, some of which increase pressure, others lower it, and others stimulate the endocrine system. Carbonic acid, which is a mandatory part of drinks, accelerates their absorption into the bloodstream and enhances the effect. Due to the high content of sweeteners, blood sugar immediately rises.
All ingredients of energy drinks increase efficiency by releasing hidden reserves of the body. The benefits of energy drinks to the body are about the same as from an artificial increase in the frequency of the processor – to the computer. The processor is easy to overclock, but it will burn out much faster after that.
Alkaloids (caffeine, mateine, theobromine) are gradually addictive. A lover of energy drinks decreases the natural production of adrenaline, as a result, a person, without drinking a tonic drink, feels lethargic, overwhelmed. Too large amounts of B vitamins contribute to irritability, in severe cases, hands begin to tremble, mental activity worsens. There is an addiction similar to a drug addiction.
Features of low-alcohol energy drinks
Low-alcohol energy drinks can contain up to 9% alcohol. This means that in a 250 ml aluminum can there is up to 22,5 ml of pure ethanol, in terms of vodka almost 56 ml. The same energy bank with a strength of 5% is equivalent to 31 ml of vodka.
Alcohol only at the very beginning invigorates, after 45 – 60 minutes it has a sedative effect. The tonic substances of the energy drink work for 2-3 hours. There is a neutralization of two effects: excitatory and inhibitory. Even a healthy body can barely cope with such a load, but a person who begins to fall asleep drinks a new portion of energy drinks.
Excessive addiction to low-alcohol energy drinks is a direct path to alcoholism. A person who consciously consumes strong drinks usually observes the culture of drinking: he drinks a little, savoring, snacks, tries not to exceed his own norm. But alcohol is almost not felt in energy drinks, their lover drinks can after can.
It must be remembered that low-alcohol energy drinks are not means for stimulating performance, but alcoholic cocktails. In moderation, they are acceptable during parties and feasts. It is better to avoid low-alcohol energy drinks with caffeine, mateine and theobromine, these drinks are the most harmful.
How to choose the right energy
The benefits of energy drinks are very doubtful, but if you need to urgently restore strength, you must be guided by the following rules:
- choose non-alcoholic energy drinks containing any one tonic: either caffeine (mateine, theobromine), or plant extracts. Energy drinks with natural herbal extracts are preferred;
- you can not use more than 250-300 ml of energy per day;
- maximum allowable monthly dose – 6 aluminum cans;
- coffee, carbon dioxide and alcohol dehydrate the body. After drinking the energy drink, you need to drink at least 0,5 liters of water in several doses;
- the daily norm of caffeine is no more than 300 ml (no more than 100-120 ml at a time). You need to carefully read how much caffeine is contained in the drink. Energy drinks should not be taken with coffee or chocolate;
- choose energy drinks with a minimum content of dyes and flavors (these substances are carcinogenic).
Contraindications to the use of energy drinks
It is forbidden to drink any energy drinks in case of diseases:
- of cardio-vascular system;
- endocrine system (especially in diabetes);
- gastrointestinal tract;
- liver and kidneys;
- nervous system.
Power engineers are an invention of the second half of the XNUMXth century, and if desired, they can be easily replaced. For centuries, people have increased their efficiency by eating foods containing vitamin C: apples, citrus fruits. A mixture of apple, pumpkin and carrot juices gives you a boost of energy for the whole day. To overcome drowsiness, you can eat a chocolate bar, drink coffee or cocoa. If you want an unusual taste, then at a party it is better to order a cocktail with high-quality alcohol. Frequent artificial stimulation of the body with energy drinks is a threat to health.