A group of researchers from the World Health Organization Regional Office in Europe has conducted a study on the bad effects of energy drinks to the health of consumers. The increasing consumption of energy drinks by the public is rather alarming as revealed by the group. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health.
According to Zenith International, the global consumption of energy drinks soared as high as $37 billion. Global energy drink consumption increased by 14% in 2011 to 4.8 billion liters, adding over 1.5 billion liters since 2007. By 2016, Zenith estimates that the global market will have jumped by a further 35% to 6.5 billion liters.
As the energy drinks business and enterprise is booming, so is the accessibility of people including children and minors to it. According to João Breda and his colleagues, their reviewed data on the health risks of energy drinks concluded that there are many health concerns pertaining to the consumption of energy drinks.
The very high levels of caffeine found in energy drinks pose a serious health effect especially when consumed on a regular basis. Caffeine intoxication can lead to severe health risks accompanied by symptoms of nausea, increased in blood pressure and even palpitations.
According to data from the World Health Organziation, college students who needs to study late at night and study in the morning consume high amounts of energy drinks. However, there is 43% rate that children are exposed to these drinks. The wide accessibility of these drinks can be a danger to children. Their system is not yet fit to consume high amounts of caffeine. Recently, a 16 year old suffered from cardiac arrest after drinking an energy beverage.
Other studies have proven that energy drinks can cause serious heart problems. Caffeine, one of its main ingredients, is the culprit in the various effects of this drink. It contains approximately 500 mg of caffeine that is equivalent to five cups of coffee. Consequently, they said that coffee may not pose the same effect of energy drinks because it is consumed hot so it is absorbed by the body slowly. Energy drink on the other hand mimics the taste and likeness of sodas that people may drink faster. Thus, the effect on the body is tremendously fast.
Mainly, it can alter the heart's normal rhythm and increased blood pressure. The World Health Organization is now implementing measures and protocols on how to control the accessibility of these drinks to children and young adults. Also, they want to provide means on how to control its consumption. Therefore, they are conducting a mass information dissemination on the matter in order to warn the public especially parents of children.
