Many consider the revitalizing boost they get from a quick swig of Red Bull energy cola drink in the late afternoon a vital part of their daily routine. In fact, some are so reliant on the beverage to get them through their day, the obsession borders on addiction. This has called some to refer to the product as “liquid cocaine.” However, According to authorities in the German states of Hesse and North-Rhine Westphalia, the moniker may be more deserving than first thought. The discovery has raised eyebrows and awareness about the overall health of Red Bull drinks and the health risks of energy drinks like it.
Six German states have ordered retailers to stop selling Red Bull Cola energy drinks after it was discovered that the product tested positive for cocaine. On Monday, Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment asserted the each liter of the famed energy booster contains 0.4 micrograms of the narcotic.
Although the Institute did say the levels were too low to cause health risks, this discovery has heightened awareness of energy drink health risks and what actually goes into these types of products. The fact is that even if the trace amounts of cocaine discovered in Red Bull turn out to be harmless, there are plenty of reasons to pass on Red Bull and products like it.
Energy Drink Health Facts
Most people generally use energy drinks as a quick fix or attitude adjustment to enhance physical and mental stimulation for a brief period of time. Some of the more popular brands include, AMP Energy, Red Bull, Monster, Adrenaline Rush, 180, ISO Sprint, Full Throttle, Whoopass, XS, Redline, Rockstar, 5-Hour Energy and Spark among others. They are sold over the counter at most grocery store, gas stations and even at bars and nightclubs. Most include ingredients like taurine, B vitamins and amino acids and stimulants like guarana and caffeine not to mention loads of processed sugar. These may all sound like relatively familiar, harmless ingredients that wouldn’t seem to pose any health risks. But, in order to understand energy drink health facts, you have to see the devil in the details. And, in this case, that little demon is quantity.
Most energy drinks contain up to 80 milligrams of caffeine. This may sound like a reasonable amount, but when you compare it to high caffeneited drinks like Coca-Cola Classic (23 mg) or Mountain Dew (37 mg), the reality sets in. Also, the 80 mgs are generally per serving. Since many of the larger cans of energy drinks contain uo to 2.5 servings ,you can easily see how caffeine quantities can quickly go through the roof. The Mayo Clinc reports that too much caffeine can lead to all sorts of health problems including, insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, dehydration, irritability, nausea or other gastrointestinal problems, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle tremors, headaches, anxiety and even bone loss. This is especially disturbing considering that most energy drinks are marketed and sold to children and teenagers who may be unable to properly gauge the health risks associated with energy risks.
Not all energy drink health risks are related to caffeine. Like sodas, most energy drinks contain several teaspoons of sugar which can also pose health risks. Furthermore, the health risks of combining energy drink ingredients like B Vitamins, amino acids, guarana, and others have not been studied, so there is still much unknown about the potential long-term energy drink health risks that might later be discovered.
Contributing Sources:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/caffeine/NU00600/METHOD=print
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1900849,00.html
