Energy drinks can stress the heart and circulation

Better breaks make drinking as energy drinks. The substance contained in many Ernergie drinks "Taurin" is under the suspicion to be harmful to health.

(26.05.2010) In our fast-paced world, many people resort to so-called energy drinks instead of taking meaningful breaks. But beware, energy drinks can pollute the heart and circulatory system and thus endanger the health. In a press release, the president of the Professional Association of German Internists (BDI) warns against the excessive use of beverages containing taurine. Wolfgang Wesiack: "Particularly in people with hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias, taking these drinks can significantly worsen the symptoms". Instead, you should make sure in everyday life enough liquid (preferably water) to eat, enough to move and take enough breaks. This is not only healthier, but also more effective for everyday working life. These instructions also apply to motorists. Because the deceptive feeling after the consumption of energy drinks of "fitness" can have serious consequences. Drivers are just as fit to drive as people who have drunk alcohol, warns. Wesiack.

Energy drinks can burden the cardiovascular system.
Frequent consumption of energy drinks can also burden the cardiovascular system. In particular, in persons with hypertension and cardiac arrhythmia, the intake of these drinks can significantly worsen the symptoms“, explains the internist. About one fifth complain of headache after eating the Ernergie drinks, another fifth report about Herzpochen. These symptoms are warnings that the cardiovascular system is strained. "Children, pregnant women, nursing women and people who are sensitive to caffeine should avoid energy drinks."
An energy drink contains about as much caffeine as two cups of coffee. In addition, the drinks consist of water, sugar or sweetener, dye and in many drinks also taurine. So far, it is believed that regular consumption of taurine is harmful to health. However, no precise studies are available for these assumptions.

Also in sports energy drinks are not a good idea.
Some people also use such energy drinks in sports. But the effect here is not in the drinks themselves, but the high sugar content of these drinks. "An increase in physical performance is only to be expected in the case of a few endurance sports, in which case a possible energy boost is primarily due to the high sugar content," says Wesiack.

High-dose drinks even more dangerous.
The Bavarian consumer center recently warned mainly people of heart disease before taking high-dose energy drinks (so-called "energy shots") "People with high blood pressure or heart disease should restrict the use of energy drinks and energy shots as a precautionary measure," said one Spokeswoman for the Consumer Center. Frequent consumption of high-dose energy drinks can lead to nervousness, insomnia, nausea, headaches and cognitive disorders, warned in January, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. (Sb)

Picture credits: Image: Barbara Eckholdt, Pixelio.de.