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Energy drinks: just a quick fix |
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Tuesday, 20 February 2007 |
by HEATHER SANDERS
News Reporter
Taurine, ginseng, guarana, L-carnitine, inositol, glucuronolactone, not to mention milk-thistle extract and glycerol ester of wood rosin.
These are just a few of the ingredients found in some of the most popular energy drinks, such as Red Bull, Rockstar and Full Throttle.
 Active Image | Derek DeSha | The Appalachian
Energy drinks are a quick fix for caffeinated needs, but a good night’s rest is what doctors recommend.
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“The danger is not being aware of the ingredients,” Dr. Steven R.
McAnulty, assistant professor for the health, leisure and exercise
science department, said.
McAnulty said although energy drinks themselves are not dangerous,
students should be careful about drinking a high quantity of energy
drinks and other caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, within a short
period of time.
He said the effect is similar to that of ephedrine when combined with caffeine.
The combined effects are greater than normal, resulting in high blood pressure and heart rate.
According to researchers in the department of nutrition at the
University of California-Davis, two energy drinks in one day can
enhance the effects of caffeine.
Consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day can lead to
adverse effects, including nervousness, irritability, arrhythmia,
decreased bone levels and an upset stomach.
Kit Olson, program director for the student wellness center, said
symptoms of too much caffeine can be similar to having a panic attack.
According to a 2001 report by the Council of Europe’s Public Health
Committee, moderation is recommended due to increased amounts of
caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone, though the current scientific
data did not suggest any specific problems with energy drinks.
The committee also advocated more research into the effects of energy drink ingredients.
As for the ingredients themselves, McAnulty said some have been shown
in studies to create energy by burning fat cells, while others have not
yet shown any benefits at all.
Taurine, found in Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar and Full Throttle energy
drinks, is one of those ingredients that may release fat as a fuel
source, McAnulty said.
According to an article published in the journal Medical Hypotheses,
taurine was effective in restoring energy and endurance and reducing
cases of frequent arrhythmia by 50 percent.
McAnulty said L-carnitine is another ingredient that converts fatty
acids into energy. However, UC-Davis researchers have found no evidence
of its effectiveness for endurance, along with many other ingredients.
“The best way to keep energized is to get enough sleep,” Olson said.
She said although many students use coffee and energy drinks a lot
during exam time, these methods are only good for a boost in energy.
She said a balanced lifestyle, a regular sleep cycle and regular exercise does a lot more to keep a person energized.
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