Energy drinks: Are they dangerous for health?|Health Magazine
Energy drinks have been very popular for fifteen years.But do we know exactly about these supposed drinks give a "boost" to the body?What do they contain and represent a health risk?All the answers to your questions.
Over the counter on supermarket shelves, energy drinks are designed to give renewed energy to the organization.Consumed by young and old, however, they are not recommended for children, because of a content that is too high in caffeine.
What is a energy drink and why drink it?
The term "so -called energizing drinks" also called "Energy Drinks" brings together drinks that arise "as having stimulating properties both at physical and intellectual level", writes the National Health Safety and Food Agency (ANSES) (ANSES) (ANSES)in his article on energy drinks (source 1).It is a "marketing term that has no definition at regulatory level", specifies the agency.Their goal ?Give a "lady" to the body, and avoid fatigue.
"They generally contain ingredients such as quecaféine, taurine, glucuronolactone, vitamins, or even plant extracts (Guarana, Ginseng)", note the ANSES.
What difference between energy drink and energy drink for sport?
We often hear about energy drink, we put in the same basket as the energy drink, when they are both very different!
"We must not confuse energy drinks with energy drinks which are drinks of efforts, which are formulated to meet nutritional needs in the context of an intense sporting activity", Formulas (Source 1) Formula (Source 1).The latter are therefore intended for athletes, during or after sessions of intense sports practice.
The consumption of energy drinks, it is downright not recommended before, during or after theport.
"The agency also attracted attention to the fact that certain current consumption methods of these drinks (sports activity, consumption in mixing with alcohol) could be associated with cardiovascular risks during intense physical exercises andof perception reduced of alcohol -related effects ".
Redbull, Monster...What are the effects of energy drinks on the body?
Energy drinks are pointed out by the health authorities and many specialists for twenty years.ANSES has rendered several opinions since 2001 "to assess the safety and nutritional interest of these drinks".It closely follows the undesirable effects suspected of being linked to the consumption of these products.On October 1, 2013, she had, in a report, not recommended the consumption of these drinks at Lesenfants and adolescents (source 2).
Several reproaches are sent to the Red Bull, Monster and other Energy Drinks.Not only are these sodas sweet, which is a well -known risk of obesity;But above all, 96 % of them contain caffeine and 52 % taurine, an amino acid suspected of potentiating the deleterious effects (source 2).
If the British government launched in 2018 a public consultation offering to ban drinks containing more than 150 mg of caffeine per liter to children and adolescents, France has still not laid any restrictions on the sale of energy drinks.The cans must however bear the mention "high caffeine content" and "not recommended for children and pregnant female".
Energy drink and pregnancy, the mixture to avoid
Energy drinks are not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding, even in small quantities!Indeed, the famous Energy Drinks can contain large quantities of caffeine, as well as ginseng and taurine, the effects of which have not yet been verified on pregnancy.
According to studies, excessive caffeine consumption could increase the risk of growth delay in the fetus and spontaneous abortion.
"Pregnant women should avoid consuming energy drinks and other caffeinated drinks, due to the risk of miscarriage and fetal growth delay that are related to caffeine," recommends Dr. Martin Juneau, cardiologist and prevention director,Montreal Cardiology Institute (Source 3).
À lire aussiCaffeine in energy drinks: what dangers for children?
If in moderate quantities, caffeine has no risk for most people, excess can cause harmful effects on the nervous system, causing headache, irritability, sleep disorders...
Indeed, caffeine is a psychoactive substance to which the nervous system is very sensitive, and particularly that of children.
Undesirable effects can occur as well as palpitations or a certain excitability.In its report, ANSES indicates that 11 % of 3-10 year olds and 7 % of 11-14 year olds have consumption that exposes them to a risk of withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, headaches, but alsosleeping and sleep disorders, increasing their state of fatigue (source 2).
Without counting the many studies on the cardiovascular impact of energy drinks with young people, "who have shown effects on the heart, in particular on blood pressure and heart rate", notes Dr. Martin Juneau (Source 3).
In adults too, the amount of caffeine consumed should be limited."A scientific opinion from AESA published in 2015 recommends that the healthy adult population limit its daily caffeine intake, coming from all food sources, to 400 mg, dose beyond which a health riskexists ", writes the Ministry of Health and Solidarity on its site (Source 4).
Children and teenagers are sensitive to Energy Drinks marketing
It is well known: the Energy Drinks appeal to the youngest.Their packaging is attractive: bright colors, stylized drawings, popular sponsors...And the "energizing" promise is a seller argument.However, children and adolescents are very sensitive to these messages.This is why ANSES recommends better supervising the promotion of these sodas.
À lire aussiHow to make a homemade and natural energy drink?
Do you want to offer an alternative for a "boost" drink to your children, who are demanding energy drinks?It's possible !Many ingredients allow you to create an energy drink with speed and simplicity!
The stimulating ingredients that you can mix in your drinks are as follows:
You can for example mix two cups of cold water with a little fresh orange juice.Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice, two tablespoons of honey and a semi-tea of salt.You will have the vitamins and minerals necessary to bring energy: vitamin C, carbohydrates, electrolytes...
Another idea: mix in a glass two teaspoons of honey, the juice of two oranges and two pressed lemons, a few pieces of fresh red fruits if possible, a teaspoon of spirulina, and a little grated ginger on top.
Source 1: "Energy drinks", National Agency for Health Safety and Food (ANSES), August 2, 2021.
Source 2: "Risk assessment linked to the consumption of so -called" energizing "" drinks, opinion of ANSES, September 2013.
Source 3: "The effects of energy drinks on the cardiovascular system", Dr Martin Juneau, cardiologist and prevention director, Montreal Cardiology Institute, June 20, 2019.
Source 4: "Energy drinks: products under surveillance", DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Repression),
A lire aussiAuteur : Mathilde Pujol, Journaliste santéArticle publié le
