Energy Drinks Exposed

Energy Drinks Exposed - Sting Or Red Bull

Did you ever notice the ingredients of energy drink – Sting? Is it really an energy drink? Do you ever think whether it is good for health or not? Why there is a warning note on sting – “Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women”? If your answer is no then continue to the article for your answer. The major ingredients of drink are carbonated water, sugar, acidity regulator (330,331), sequesterants (452i, 385), taurine, caffeine, preservatives (211, 202), sweeteners (955,950), inositol, vitamins premix, and synthetic food color (129). Let we explore each ingredients and their side effetcts in details.

 

Carbonated water: Water that contains dissolved carbon dioxide is called carbonated water. It is also known as soda water, sparkling water, fizzy water, club soda, water with gas or as seltzer or seltzer water. Carbonated water has a little impact on health. It is categorized in minimal nutritional food in United States. Carbonated waters may contain small amount of sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium citrate, potassium sulfate, or disodium phosphate, depending on the product. Tentative evidence is found that carbonated water may help people with constipation.

 

  

Acidity regulator (330,331): Acidity regulators in drinks are categorized as organic acids that are widely used in foods, in drinks, in beer, wine or cheese production, citric acid prevents bacteria growth, it gives the citric/sour flavor, bakers use it, citric acid E330 or 330 is often added to cakes, biscuits, soups, all sorts of sauces, frozen packed and canned food products, sweets. On the other hand 331 or E331 stands for Sodium citrate, it is anti-oxidants and also used to improve effect of other anti-oxidants. And also it used to prevent donated blood from clotting. Consumption of acidity regulators in high quantity may lead to vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and tooth decay.

 

Sequesterants (452i, 385): Sequestrants are the types of preservatives that are used to improve quality and stability of food. E385 stands for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This is a white, water-soluble solid that is widely used to bind to iron and calcium ions. It binds these ions to form hexadentate. EDTA can cause abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, low blood pressure, skin problems, and fever. It is unsafe to use more than 3 grams of EDTA per day, or to take it longer than 5 to 7 days. E452i stands for Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). It extends shelf life, enhances flavor, and also improves clarity and prevents turbidity, such as in fruit juices and carbonated beverages. The possible side effects of using it as per report of International Journal Of Toxicology in 2001 it may lead to bone decalcification, parathyroid hypertrophy and hyperplasia, inorganic phosphaturia, hepatic focal necrosis, and muscle fiber size alterations.

 

Taurine: The chemical name is 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an organic compound that is widely distributed in animal tissues. It is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine, and accounts for up to 0.1% of total human body weight. Taurine is used in energy drinks with 1000 mg or 2000 mg per serving. It is an organic compound known as an amino acid and amino acids are the protein building blocks of the human body. Some experts believe taurine has health benefits, but researchers need to carry out more studies to confirm these claims nausea, dizziness, headache and difficulty walking.

 

Caffeine: Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that changes nervous system function and results in alterations in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, or behavior. It is legal and unregulated in nearly all parts of the world. Caffeine overdose can result in a state of central nervous system over-stimulation known as caffeine intoxication, a clinically significant temporary condition that develops during, or shortly after, the consumption of caffeine. Caffeine in coffee and other caffeinated drinks can affect gastrointestinal motility and gastric acid secretion. In postmenopausal women, high caffeine consumption can accelerate bone loss.

 

Sweeteners (E955, E950): Sucralose, a widely used sugar substitute, 600 times sweet than sugar, is a new generation of artificial sweetener developed after aspartame (E951) and acesulfame potassium (E950). It is free of carbs & calories and the European food additive number E955. Sweetener 950 known for sugar alcohols will lead to laxative effects by the FDA. There were few studies reported that sucralose is linked with diarrhea but study at Columbia University said that sucralose and other artificial sweeteners may cause diarrhea and gas. The side effects of artificial sweeteners include: headache, depression, increased risk of cancer, and weight gain due to increased appetite, as well as the two issues impact on gut health and increased diabetes risk.

 

Preservatives (211,202): 211 preservative stand for Sodium benzoate that inhibits the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, mold, and other microbes in food, thus deterring spoilage. It's particularly effective in acidic foods. On the other hand, Potassium sorbate or 202 used as a preservative and have been researched for the last fifty years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognize it as generally safe when used appropriately. Preservative 202 leads to allergic reactions, asthma, headaches, hyperactivity, stomach upsets and skin irritations while preservative 211 leads asthma, headaches, skin irritations, stomach upsets.

 

Inositol: Inositol is a carbohydrate that is commonly found naturally in your body and certain foods. It plays many roles in your body, including affecting levels of neurotransmitters and the way your body handles glucose. It may be effective in improving some anxiety disorders and your body's sensitivity to insulin. It is considered safe in adults but side effects may include nausea, stomach pain, tiredness, headache, and dizziness. Most side effects occur with doses greater than 12 g per day. The metabolic effects of inositol may not be appropriate for everyone.

 

Synthetic food color: Also known as Allura Red AC is a red azo dye that goes by several names, including FD&C Red 40. It is used as a food dye. It is usually supplied as its red sodium salt, but can also be used as the calcium and potassium salts. These salts are soluble in water. Consumption may cause hyperactivity and may bring on allergic reactions.

 

Vitamin Premix: This includes both water-soluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 and C) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) can come in liquid or spray-dried form. Example: In Dairy products, since it is already a rich source of calcium, it is fortified with Vitamin D to enhance calcium absorption and metabolism.

 

Why pregnant women are not allowed to take energy drink?

During pregnancy period, a placenta grows in your uterus (womb) and supplies the baby with food and oxygen through the umbilical cord. The nutrients in the food you eat get passed on to your baby, including ingredients in energy drinks. Researchers do not know the effects of all the ingredients in energy drinks and because different types of energy drinks contain different types ingredients that are mentioned above.

Some animal studies have found a negative association when consuming energy drinks regularly. In studies where pregnant mice were given a small amount of energy drink daily during the duration of their pregnancy, found that when exposed to energy drinks daily, the newborn mice had oxidative stress, tissue injury, and behavioral alterations including anxiety. The researchers concluded that "the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) during pregnancy and lactation has a negative impact on the newborns and should be treated as a significant health problem that warrants attention.

 

Authors

Rahul Singh & Suraj Singh

 

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