Energy drinks might be tempting to keep yourself alert when you get tired, and they might seem harmless. But are they safe? Or is Red Bull bad for you?
Don’t let drinking products like Red Bull, Monster, and 5-Hour Energy become a regular habit. There is growing evidence that these energy drinks can cause some significant harm in your body.
The dangers of energy drinks
- The high levels of caffeine and sugar can be extremely dangerous in the body and have even been shown to stop the heart.
- The acidity of energy drinks is potentially harmful to bone, muscle, and brain health.
- Energy drinks are also extremely addictive, causing you to depend on them for feeling sufficiently energized.
- They elevate blood pressure.
Drinking just one energy drink causes elevated blood pressure
A November 2015 study found that after adults drank one 16 oz can of an energy drink, the average systolic blood pressure of the participants increased by 6.2%, while the average diastolic blood pressure increased by 6.8%.[1]
Additionally, norepinephrine levels increased by 74% after drinking the energy drink; elevated norepineprhine can cause changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and heart function.[1] The researchers conclude that the changes in blood pressure and norepinephrine levels may increase people’s chances of cardiovascular problems.
Other studies have found similar effects, with energy drinks leading to significant increases in blood pressure readings.[2]
Caffeine itself has blood pressure raising effects, which may partly explain why energy drinks are so dangerous when it comes to keeping blood pressure in the healthy range.[3] But studies show that energy drinks raise blood pressure by other mechanisms, too, different from caffeine alone.[4]
Energy drinks may be especially dangerous for children
The high caffeine levels in energy drinks are one reason that energy drinks are so bad for children, especially those with underlying heart conditions.[3]
Look for energy from other sources, not energy drinks
If you want to avoid the negative health effects of these unhealthy drinks, and especially if you have high blood pressure and want to protect you heart, stay away from products like Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy.
Instead, look to natural alternatives for boosting your energy levels. For starters, try these 8 Energy Boosting Foods to Keep You Alert. You may also want to use vitamins to increase your energy levels. Read more about which ones work best here.
Share your experience
How do you keep your energy up naturally? What works best for you? Share your experience in the comments section below; just scroll down past the links section. (Only your first name and last initial will appear with your comment.) You can also send your comment directly to us and we will post it anonymously for you.
[1] JAMA. 2015 Nov 8:1-3. [Epub ahead of print]
[2] Circulation. 2015;132:A12689.
[3] Pediatrics. 2011 Mar;127(3):511-28.
[4] Physiol Rep. 2015 Feb 25;3(2). pii: e12290.
The post Is Red Bull Bad for You? 4 Reasons to Skip These Dangerous Drinks appeared first on Natural Health Advisory.
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