Major energy drink brands such as Redbull, Monster, 5 hour energy and others, cater to those that are tired and need a boost of energy. They deliver a short hit of energy and then a major crash to where you will need another boost of energy.

Have you ever thought about the negative effects on your health?

The average energy drink contains 100 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, which is pretty similar to a cup of coffee. A single 16-oz. container of an energy drink may contain 54 to 62 grams of added sugar; this exceeds the maximum amount of added sugars recommended for an entire day. Men should have only 38 grams of sugar, while women should only have 35 grams of sugar a day. Many brands are now coming out with sugar free varieties. But, then you have to worry about what they are adding for sweetness. Aspartame for one has its own health risks.

AMP energy drinks have 29 grams of sugar:: Full Throttle has 29 grams of sugar:: Monster has 27 grams:: Red Bull has 37 grams:: Rockstar has 29 grams:: Vault has 32 grams::

The health risks associated with energy drinks are mostly attributed to their high sugar and caffeine levels. Which include:

• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Increased stress and anxiety
• Frequent urination or inability to control urination
• Upset stomach
• Increased blood pressure
• Muscle tremors
• Kidney damage
• Obesity
• Skin issues

Your rapidly beating heart could pose a health risk, as “energy drinks not only have been shown to raise stress levels, increase heart rate, increase blood pressure, they’ve also been shown to make the blood a little bit thicker”. It is also shown that people that mix energy drinks with alcohol are more likely to consume more alcohol and binge drink versus those who do not mix alcohol with energy drinks.  

Last year, the World Health Organization hailed energy drinks a “danger to public health,” after they found consumption of such beverages is on the rise.

Other Ways to Stay Energized

• Exercise
• Eat a balanced diet and cut your sugar intake 
• Get adjusted 
• Limit alcohol
• Drink more water
• Avoid smoking
• Limit napping during the day

When you cut out sugar and high caffeine drinks out of your diet, you will be surprised how much more energy you have (once you get over the withdraw from sugar and caffeine). It can be much easier to slowly cut out sugar and caffeine, rather than go cold turkey. (As long as you are dedicated to actually cutting it out of your diet! When you put sugar into your body, you crave more sugar.)

Chiropractic

Start reading labels!! Keep a tab of what you are actually consuming in a day. Once you realize how much extra sugar you are consuming you will be surprised. I ask patients all the time, “how much sugar do you consume?”. I always get “Not that much.”

Doctors of Chiropractic can help you with a diet plan, or hold you accountable for your sugar or caffeine intake. Call us or a chiropractor near you to become a healthier you! Diet, exercise, and spinal health are the essentials to a long healthy life.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036