The dangers of energy drinks and mixing it with alcoholic drinks

IN Nigeria, like many other parts of the world, a host of energy drinks flood the marketplace, promising to boost workout, improve mood and driving ability, as well as increase alertness at work. It is thus no surprise that its business is booming, especially among the younger generation, exemplified in the activities of some Muslim young adults, who take energy drinks in place of alcohol as a result of religious alcohol abstinence. It is also a favourite cocktail ingredient for alcohol drinking socialites in Nigeria. Often, cups of energy drinks are mixed with highly alcoholic drinks like Vodka and Whiskeys as enhancers.

Energy drinks are carbonated beverages that contain large doses of caffeine and sugar in combination with other ingredients such as guarana, taurine, ginseng, green tea, vitamins, amino acids and minerals. Their compositions also differ according to brand and manufacturer.

Guarana is a nut-like seed from plants native to South America and is a natural source of caffeine. Taurine is an amino acid naturally found in meat and fish. Green tea extract contains caffeine.

There have been concerns over intake of energy drinks. Although they are safe for the majority of consumers when used in moderation, high caffeine in some energy drinks poses serious health concerns for some persons. Some energy drinks contain more than twice the caffeine content of cola-drinks and individual responses to caffeine levels vary.

The new popularity of mixing energy drinks with alcohol is also worrisome as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has warned this does not make alcohol less intoxicating.

Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, while alcohol and taurine are depressants. When mixed, there is an increased strain on the body. In rare cases, this can lead to heart failure. There are other more common, risks associated with mixing alcohol and energy drinks.

 

A person who has consumed both will be less likely to notice how drunk they are, because they will feel energetic and be less likely to go to sleep when their body’s alcohol tolerance limit has been reached. When the body’s natural defences against overconsumption are suppressed, the risk of alcohol poisoning is increased exponentially.

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