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January 8, 2006, 12:00:00AM. By Jane Mundy
Like other stimulants to the central nervous system, energy drinks give you a high. And like addicting drugs, this buzz is temporary; the high is of course followed by a low which often leads to consuming too much, trying to get back to the "high". Another problem arises when these energy drinks are mixed with alcohol.
'Energy
Drinks
Health Canada has reported four incidents of adverse reactions from energy drinks which include electrolyte disturbances, nausea and vomiting and heart irregularities.
Energy Drinks should not be confused with sports drinks such as Gatorade. Sports drinks hydrate or replenish and maintain fluids in the body and provide sugars, which the body burns to create energy and replenish electrolytes. Electrolytes maintain salt and potassium balances in the body.
Energy drinks, on the other hand, can lead to dehydration. People drink them to keep up their energy during periods of intense physical activity or drink them after exercise to quench their thirst. They are wildly popular at all-night dance parties and "raves", bars and nightclubs. A favorite cocktail in many up-scale bars combines vodka and Red Bull Energy Drink, which could prove to be a deadly combination.
Energy drinks are not regulated by the FDA. The ingredients they contain are definitely dubious and possibly dangerous.
Ingredients
Caffeine
Caffeine is the main ingredient in these beverages that is responsible for the "energy buzz." Caffeine is a diuretic, thus causing more urine output that leads to dehydration. It also has a laxative effect which leads to further dehydration. And caffeine is also addictive, which can result in wanting more to achieve the same "caffeine high."