Energy drinks: pros and cons

Abstract

Energy drinks (EDs) constitute a health hazard among adolescents and young adults. Few beneficial effects of EDs are reported as they are frequently consumed by youth to overcome fatigue and sleepiness. EDs may also promote healing of soft tissue wounds. They are ingested alone or mixed with alcohol to lessen alcohol sedation. They may cause cardiovascular manifestations like tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, arrhythmias, electrocardiographic changes and myocardial ischemia. On the nervous system, EDs affect cognition, mental health and motor skills, and they may increase the risk adventures. Prenatal consumption of EDs results in increased locomotion, anxiety and irritability of the newly born infants. Moreover, excessive ingestion of these drinks is associated with blood changes, renal and gastrointestinal disorders, obesity and dental caries. It is recommended that regulatory sales restrictions, particularly toward young adults, must be undertaken to minimize the magnitude of this health problem.