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Environmental Nutrition: Scientists uncover health concerns related to caffeine overdrive

By Matthew Kadey, M.S., R.D. on

Environmental Nutrition

Whether it's on a long car drive or a marathon session at the office, most of us need an energy boost from time to time. Many people turn to super-caffeinated beverages to get them through the task at hand. Although the stimulant caffeine is generally regarded as safe -- it has been linked with improved alertness, focus, short-term memory, exercise performance and even protection from Parkinson's disease and depression when used judiciously -- health experts are increasingly sounding the alarm over mega doses consumed in caffeinated beverages.

What's in the mix?

Energy drinks are typically a mix of caffeine, sugars or artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and add-ins, like taurine, vitamins, and ginkgo biloba. Ragavendra R. Baliga, M.D., a cardiologist with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, cautions against such drinks because they have unknown health effects. A 2012 Nutrition Reviews report found that the majority of these extras in energy drinks do little to charge your energy levels or alleviate brain fog; basically, pure caffeine is the engine behind these drinks.

Bottled coffee drinks are a blend of strong coffee, often paired with sugar and dairy ingredients. The high-caffeine elixir market even includes bottled waters and tea bags infused with added caffeine.

Caffeine confusion

 

When you pick up an energy drink, you may have no idea how much caffeine you're getting, since manufacturers aren't required by the FDA to disclose the levels of caffeine. These products also can contain extra caffeine in the form of stimulants like guarana, a seed that contains more caffeine than coffee. And when you walk into a coffee shop for a java jolt, who knows how much caffeine is in that brew, since levels vary based on type of bean and brewing.

The side effects of caffeine overload

Scientists have uncovered several health concerns related to overdoing caffeine and energy drinks.

Cardiovascular concerns. "Too much caffeine can overstimulate the nervous system, leading to increased or irregular heart rate and a rise in blood pressure," says Baliga. A 2014 American Journal of Cardiology review found adverse cardiovascular events and even cardiac arrest among heavy energy drink users. With caffeine-spiked drinks skyrocketing, you can see why emergency room visits related to these products has increased at least 10-fold in recent years.

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