Energy Drinks: Ingredients & Dangers
By BrianX | November 23rd, 2004Since the 1990s, energy drinks have gone from being the latest craze and fad to a permanent fixture in our culture. Given the various seemingly exotic ingredients, here’s a general introduction to the various energy drink dangers and advantages. I won’t go into great biological detail since you could probably write a book about the energy drink craze. Instead I’ll provide you with some information that should let you be a more informed consumer when it comes to energy drinks.
What are Energy Drinks?
An energy drink is a beverage that contains some form of legal stimulant and/or vitamins which are meant to give consumers a short term boost in energy.
The “Magical” Ingredients
In general, these drinks have one thing in common: They all contain a lot of sugar and/or caffeine. These could be considered the “active ingredients.” So before you go bragging about how powerful a certain drink was and how its natural ingredients helped you wake up in the morning or dance all night, consider that you probably got more of a sugar rush than anything else.
Energy Drinks & Marketing
The “thing” about energy drinks is that they are marketed as being all-natural energy boosters loaded with exotic ingredients that popular culture believes to be healthy. Energy drinks are generally marketed towards younger crowds, especially those who go to raves. People are buying energy drinks in record numbers, even at an incredible $2-3 for a can smaller than an average soft drink can. Just FYI, the energy drink industry is worth over a billion dollars in sales annually. Note that Red Bull energy drink leads the way. While Red Bull may have lame TV commercials, energy drinks tend to have cool logo colors and fonts, modern can or bottle shapes, and a “high energy” feel surrounding them. It’s a marketing company’s dream come true!
The Dangers of Energy Drinks: Side Effects & Long-term Effects
I’m just scratching the surface with what I have written here so let me give you some food for thought. When you are considering consuming energy drinks:
- Make a mental note that while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is allowing companies to sell and market their energy drink products, there is still very little research that has been done on them. I suspect the FDA allows them to be added simply because they do not pose any immediate danger to energy drink consumers.
- The long-term effects of energy drink ingredients, if any, are still not known meaning that drinking a lot of these drinks on a consistent basis may or may not harm you in ways that have yet to be researched.
- Energy drink labels are frequently misleading or at least they are so ambiguous that when you buy them you simply believe what you want to believe. Remember that in most cases, the claims being made have not been proven.
- It remains unknown as to whether any medical conditions and related prescription medication will interact with energy drinks. If you try an energy drink and react poorly to it, consult a physician.
Body Chemistry
Energy drinks all try to stimulate something in your body that leads to your awakening and feeling as though you have more energy. One big mistake that most people make is that energy drinks will have the same effect on them, regardless of the choice of drink, and ignoring an individual’s unique body chemical make-up.
Think about it this way: We know that alcohol has a unique effect on everyone who consumes it (some people get drunk faster, have different allergic reactions to alcohol, etc), so there is no reason to believe that these drinks will have a different result among various consumers.
Sugar
Many raves don’t sell alcohol but in fact focus on water and energy drink sales. While gaining energy from sugar in and of itself is not such a bad thing, be warned that drinking lots of sugar can make you feel full. Carbonation, which can come from soft drinks as well, also makes you feel full. Ravers who become ill frequently keep dancing or remain active, and fail to re-hydrate as they should, in part because they think they’re full. What ends up happening is that their body shuts down due to the lack of fluids, and they collapse.
Are Energy Drinks Addictive?
Since consumption of energy drinks is so prevalent among youth and frequently associated with raves and the nightclub scene, many wonder about their addictive properties. In fact, the only truly addictive part of energy drink ingredients appears to be caffeine. So if you drink enough cans, you may become addicted to caffeine and ultimately suffer from the effects of the addiction.
Energy Drinks, Alcohol & Death
Bars around the world mix vodka with energy drinks, especially Red Bull. This is mixing a depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (the energy drink). This can have an effect on your heart and claims have been made that this combination has lead to death. As such, some countries in Europe have banned Red Bull and other energy drinks.
Creatine
SoBe is a popular drink. It contains creatine in such minute amounts that it probably doesn’t have any effect. Same with Ginko.
Taurine
The peculiar thing about taurine is that nobody really knows what it does! There is apparently no evidence that it has any major influence but it is possible that it does indeed have some effect on the body which leads to the feeling of having more energy.
Taurine & Caffeine are Key
One must also account for the mixed effects of the different energy drink ingredients. Consider that drinking different types of alcohol during a night of partying can leave you with an awful hangover. (Of course, you could try the anti-hangover pill). In an energy drink such as Guru for example, it is possible that the taurine enhances the effects of caffeine, giving you a slightly larger boost than if you had drank only one of the ingredients. This is just a theory however since it has yet to be scientifically tested.
Vitamins
Some energy drinks offer a variety of vitamins. It’s important to note that your body will take what it needs and pee off the extra vitamins. So this isn’t a major health booster.
Popular Terms
The most popular energy drinks include Red Bull, Monster, XS (get it – excess), Boost, Crunk, Rockstar, Crunk Juice, Full Throttle, Spark, Amp , Rush, SoBe, Pimp Juice, Shark, Piranha, Red Line, Bookoo, Socko, Fuze, Hype, Guru, and Atomic X.
Update
This BrianX Magazine exclusive article was published in 2004 and since then, a lot of email has come in, mostly from parents who were desperate to get information on energy drinks. In most cases, their children were in the hospital or at least at home with severe issues related to energy drinks. Based on these emails, it would appear that the actual number of people suffering from the adverse effects of these drinks is larger than might be gathered from hospital reports.
Comments? Feedback?
If you have any insight into energy drinks, their ingredients, and the validity of studies related to the various ingredients, I’d love to hear them. The beauty of the Internet is that knowledge can grow right here as new info comes in.
Too many posts on this page sound like typical drug addicts “yeah I use such’n’such drug but I’m NOT a drug addict, it doesn’t affect me”. Addicts will always defend their drug of choice. Ok, so you drink umpteen cans of ED, you get to sail through your busy life much easier, you’re still sleeping at night, you aren’t suffering aches and pains and you haven’t had a heart attack or renal failure or anything else. But what about your general behaviour?
And before all you ED drinkers jump up and down screaming “I don’t act any differently”…that’s exactly what EVERY ED drinker that does suffer behavioural changes screams out too, especially the teenagers
It’s fine in moderation if you don’t have any side effects. And yes, as stated earlier, teenagers are teenagers and many typically have mood swings anyways. But what of those whose mood swings are worsened by consumption of EDs. More severe mood swings, stupid errors in judgement, hyperactivity, depression from the downer after the energy boost wears off
You can advise and inform an adult and the choices they make after that is their choice, choices to be respected. If you don’t like their choice or the effect anything has on them, you can stay away from them. Parents don’t get that choice with their own kids who are being adversely effected by these so called glorious energy drinks though. You can’t tell a teenager, they know everything
But it seems the adverse effects outnumber the positive effects of these legal drugs and since there is no way of governing who they are sold to (as in age limits, etc), more countries should follow those who have already banned them. Majority should prove enough
January 8, 2010 at 7:31 pm
What happened to taking a nap to help when you are tired and working hard to build muscle mass. Why do we always have to put something in our body to try and get ahead quick? A very bad habit for young people to get into!
January 9, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Im a victim to energy drinks. I was dumb enough to drink the 32oz monster drink called heavy metal one day.. That same night I started get very bad cold chills shaking cold sweats hear pounding numbness to my face and sharp shooting pain through my left arm including sharp stabing pain to the chest. Two yrs later I still get the symptoms but now I got twitching in my neck and at time I wont eat for a few days.. I wake up misserable and go to sleep the same. I was told my heart was fine from a cardiologist. So Im guessing my nerves are really screwed up. Im 22 and have to stay away from all caffeine, Roller Coasters, Basket ball, Base Ball, Anything athletic even working out. All of that must be avoided so I wont trigger an even worst attack. I feel like I got no where to go because no one knows what to do and whats wrong.. It suck’s, I also get very bad head aches and when attempting to do sports my chest starts to hurt throat closes up on me and I get close to collapse.
Any help with this would be appreciated ALOT
January 15, 2010 at 4:43 am
I used to drink Monster Energy Drink about 2 times a week, until a few days ago I when started to notice an itch on my right elbow, I figured it was just a normal itch, and I scratched it, and it was gone for a while.
But then two days later it came back.
I called 911 and told them I had been drinking Monster Energy Drink a few times a week, they sent an ambulance right away and I was treated for Placeboitis, the surgeon said I was lucky to be alive, and that all they had to do is remove the critical thinking part of my brain, luckily they said it was of no use to me and apparently I had never used it before.
I wish I had read this article before I went though all of that, it would’ve saved me a lot of time and money.
January 19, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I used to drink monster energy as well as a few other energy drinks as I was working out 1 1/2 – 2 hrs a day. Got to the point that all I did was crash soooooo much bad stuff in those typical energy drinks.
January 22, 2010 at 11:43 am
Its all about moderation. I drink the low carb blue monsters because they have less surgar and I also drink five hour energy. I’ve experienced nights I can’t sleep if I intake too much but that’s because of the caffinee. I go to school and have long nights and I don’t like coffee which is why I drink them. I’ve had no bad side effects but also don’t drink them every single day, just as needed. Of you feel like you her headaches its because your hooked on caffinee, ever tried to quit smoking? The best energy booster is to stay in shape, eat fruits and other foods good for you. Yall that drink 2-3 a day is too much, think about that with other drinks, that’s like a cube of beer every week. Too much of anything will make you sick hence a hangover, if you must indulge in these drinks drink water also, like when you drink a Gatorade you drink a glass of water to equal the amount of ounes consumed in Gatorade. So if you drink a 16 oz energy drink, drink 16 oz of water at least to keep your kidneys and liver from overworking. Hope tall start intake in moderation,
Dean,
Us army medic.
January 28, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I drank red bull alot and now i have heart problems ..i cant get too excited or stressed or ill have a panic attack or mild heart attack and fall to the ground in sheer agony. I’m consulting doctors now, i told them i drank alot before [red bull / energy drinks] and they said stop. I did..bu till this day they have no clue how to classify what is wrong with my heart yet. Two docs said algina though. So yeah it tastes good but long run it is damaging. ty for reading hope this helps you.
January 28, 2010 at 9:07 pm
I drink energy drinks quiet a bit since i have trouble with my sleep which can only really be solved by taking another sleeping drug which seems to have worseside effects than the drinks. I don’t take it very often i usually judge wether i need it at a certain part of my day (usually around 1-2 whilst I’m at school) to keep concentrating (my attention seems to be dwindling more more).
I only really have it once a week so what I know about it may be wrong. I don’t seem to feel any adverse effects whilst I’m feeling the sugar rush except being a bit more sociable and i notice i find it easier to grab peoples attention too whilst i have it (I’m a quiet person but not so much so when i have a sugar rush).
Physically I can run about 150-200 meters and it doesn’t feel all too heavy, but saying that I do have quite a lot of muscular endurance compared to most of the people in my school and since I’m not so athletic maybe I’d be able to do that without the energy drink and it could just be a placebo.
So in my experience I find it does give the ddersired “energy” and also makes me a bit louder in my body language, so i suppose it does have some pyschological effects too.
btw one thing I’ve notices is after the rush i do feel as if though i need a bit more, I’ve had this even when i first started drinking them but usualy a bit of plain water or juice settles this urge.
February 1, 2010 at 1:39 pm
BTW John I’m curious to what your surgeon seems to be telling you about Placeboitis. You do realize that a placebo is you think theres something wrong with you or you think that something you have taken is giving you an rush or affecting when infact, it isn’t.
I think maybe that surgeon was joking with you and maybe his voice is so bland you might not have picked up. There is no such condition as placeboitits and the critical thinking part of your brain.
February 1, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I have experienced side effects of drinking Energy Drinks. I was big on Rockstar and I drank 2-4 a day, but after a while I started getting intense pain in my lower adomin (like my kidnys or something) while urinating.
February 11, 2010 at 11:58 pm
So this one time I was in a mall and decided to buy a NOS energy drink.. you know, the one in the blue bottle that looks like a butane canister. Haha. And yeah.. 15 minutes later I was still in the mall and ended up vomiting it all up, all over the potted plant beside the bench i was sitting on, next to the restrooms and coke machine. It was slightly embarrassing, there were people walking by shooting awkward glances or pretending not to notice… but for some reason i didn’t really care, i just wanted it OUT of my system. I have never bought a NOS energy drink since that day, and that was my first one.
March 1, 2010 at 6:01 pm
ok so i drink red bull and i prob do drink to many of them but the only side effects i have noticed on myself is if i dont keep myself motivated or doing something while i drink them or after is that i feel jittery like i just pounded like 4 cups of coffee but if i stay doing something i feel fine i read all these posts on here and i think your all crazy i have been doing alot of research about red bull not the other ones cause i dont like any other kind only red bull ive really heard it all now if your having effects like the ones posted here im guessing you were not in perfect health to begin with and then over did it i know i need to cut down on them and i do but it all depends on what im doing that day if i have a busy day playing with all 5 of my kids working hanging out with friends and then staying up late hanging out with my wife then yeah ill drink about 3 to 4 cans a day but if im having a lazy day and the kids are out i dont have to work then i drink my snapple or something with less caffine
March 6, 2010 at 10:40 pm
I switched to the sugar free rockstar and monster a while back, they taste nasty but i needed the buzz to wake up. now i drink one and i don’t feel anything, which maean i got used to the caffine and need more. i can’t drink and of the energy juices cause that sends me to the restroom. i fell a twitch in my eyelid when i drink caffine rich drinks. i am really thinking of laying off these things all together, after 7yrs of drinking these thing i;m not so sure they are good for you in the long run. and beware of the drink called Spike, that one is the heart buster.
March 8, 2010 at 12:39 am
Alrighty. About these energy drinks, can they be addictive or not. I dont really know if this is being really addictive, but anyways. Im 17 years old now and i started to drink monster energy drinks at age of 13. I drank about 3-4 a day. I drank mostly all of them, 12oz, 24oz, and 32oz all by myself. Everyone told me im pretty crazy. Cause it was in every day thing.
Well years passed by still feel normal. Still drinkin monsters. Until March 9, 2010. I just bought 2 4packs of monsters and just 2 more. Took them to school. I drank one before school, drank one in every passing period before class and one last one after school. So all togather thats 9 monsters. During the classes my stomach started to hurt and i took a piss 3 times a period. I just told myself “I can deal with it”. So i did. Later on i got home from school, my stomach started to hurt and i started shake non-stop and heart started to beat faster and faster. I surprized i did’nt die, cause i heard that some kid died for drinkin 2 monsters and a 7up as well. Well anyway i still did’nt go to no hospital, but anyway after this day im still gonna drink energy drinks.
(Any advice to know about WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH ME or comments)…
March 9, 2010 at 9:31 pm
I drink 2-3 Guava Rockstars a day. They taste great and I have a very busy schedule to keep up with, however, after drinking them for about two years now I have started having severe headaches at times.
Either from too much consumption or coming down off of them.
I really desire these drinks every day, but the shakes and other side
effects tells me this is a bad thing. If your not already hooked, avoid these products…..
March 11, 2010 at 2:33 am
Just checking its alright to have red bull and antibiotics at same time, I only started drinkin it about a month ago and have about 3 a week iv been fine but since iv started my antibiotics for a chest infection im gettin very headachy and wobbly pluss i need it for my drivin lessons if I wana pass could anyone tell me if its alright to have emboth together thankyou
March 16, 2010 at 8:30 am
I was wondering if anyone knows if a mass consumption of r.b. has any connections with gall bladder? i drink 3~4 a day 6 days a week and now getting it removed and they kept asking if i drank energy drinks well like a dummy to avoid a lecture told them no
March 16, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Wow. This is a great article! Very informative. There are healthy energy drink alternatives available, however.
March 16, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Alot of thes post are pathetic you know that saying guns dont kill people but people kill people ,exactly everyone wants to blame something , grow up.did someone from the energy drink place come to your house and say hey lazy butt i know you live a pathetic life drink this drink or i will kill you ,NO they didnt , you chose to do it and if you cant handle caffien then dont drink it geeze.and the guy with the headaches its called caffien withdrawels just like anything that you over consume will give you some sort of side effect, Like that stupid girl that entered a water drinking contest and died for consuming to much water,flushed her electrolites right out of her body “WATER” its all about you not the product if you are scared of something or have any doubt in your mind the dont mess with it its that easy.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16614865/ and here is the link to that over drinking water death if you dont believe me
March 30, 2010 at 3:05 pm
I have recently given up alcohol after drinking about $250 a week, now i really enjoy my energy drink (mother). when i go to a party i like to have a couple of cans to help be in party mode. I haven’t had any side affects apart from speedy heart beat. i think you need to drink water while your having your energy drink to help your body pass out the nasty stuff. If your going to have something i think your better off having an energy drink instead of drugs, but as anything you still need to consume in moderation. Enjoy.
March 30, 2010 at 8:28 pm
I have reason to believe that energy drinks may have played a hugh part in the death of my son, age 19. We are still awaiting the cause of death but was told from the Medical Examiner it could go undetermied. Yes he had pot in his system but that does not kill. My son dropped to the ground and was gone in the matter of 2 seconds, had been to the movies with friends and was standing there talking to them when suddenly he passed away.
I hope I am wrong but after reading all the post, it makes me believe it is true more and more…… this needs to come off the market or at least post warnigs, we have 9 years children buying it, why not, it is sitting there beside the cokes and lemondaid.
April 2, 2010 at 12:14 pm
okay so ive have noticed that i can drink red bull and be fine but when i drink monster or NOS i feel light headed and get really hot a feel like passing out whats wrong with me ?
April 6, 2010 at 9:21 pm
The Long Term Impact of Energy Drinks
I am 60 years old and started drinking energy drinks about 5 years ago. After 2.5 years I began gradually developing symptoms similar to Sjogren’s. In fact I had been tentatively diagnosed as such. However, blood tests have proven that to be wrong.
I currently suffer from the following symptoms:
· Dry/Burning Skin
· Dry/Burning Mouth and Throat
· Dry Eyes
· Fatigue
· Confusion and Memory Problems
· Stomach pain and Nausea
Because of my age I feel like the Canary in the Coal Mine but I fear for those still drinking energy drinks. So, I want to relate my story.
Initially I was fine. I can remember drinking an energy drink and having no problems. Then I would drink one and my skin would burn after…not before and not from anything else. I can remember when I drank an energy drink and the burning did not go away but stayed and eventually got worse. I can remember when the dryness started in my mouth after drinking an energy drink but it would eventually go away. I remember when the dryness stopped going away and the aching in my gums started right after drinking an energy drink. Then the ache would go away. I can remember when the aching got so bad after drinking an energy drink that I finally had to stop and when I went to the dentist he had to give me a root canal. My gums had become infected because of the dryness
I was there when the wobbling started and I could barely stand up because, and I’m assuming here, my inner ear was so dry but when I quit drinking energy drinks my balance returned. But, like my skin and mouth and throat there was still dryness and I still had a problem with standing.
The ache in the gums, the dryness and burning in my mouth, throat and skin are all still with me and if I drank another energy drink the dryness would probably result in another gum infection and I would need another root canal.
You see there was a direct impact on my salivary and mucus glands from drinking Monster. I know because I was there. I watched it happen. Those glands have been destroyed in my body and have also impacted my stomach where in lies the pain. My body does not produce enough mucus to offset the digestive acids in my stomach and I currently endure pain and nausea every day. On a scale of 1-10 it’s been an 8 and I’ve been taking either Omeprazole or Nexium for over a year.
Now the aging process takes hold and of course things will only get worse. But I’m only one guy. What happens to all the other people who drink energy drinks and have the same problems?
April 11, 2010 at 9:14 pm
I am doing a research paper in my English Comp. class at Ivy Tech Community College on the negative effects on energy drinks and sodas. This is very interesting article. I was wondering, where did you get your sources? Every source that I am able to get will be most helpful for my paper.
Thank you
Sincerely
Bethany J. McDonald
P.S.
My poison of choice is Diet Mountain Dew
April 13, 2010 at 6:24 pm
I was wondering if anyone has had problems with their teeth or Gums when drinking Monster Energy Drinks. I love them. Especially in the morning because they wake me up, and get that terrible morning breath out better than anything else I’ve tried. Sometimes I will drink 2 a day yet I try to limit myself to one. I have quit 3 or 4 times over the past couple of years because (A) I have noticed my gums hurting to the point that I am talking to Dentists and Root Canal specialists and before I go ahead with any root canal work I remember that I am drinking a lot of Monster and I stop drinking it for a week or 2 and the pain seems to go away (NOTE: I assume this is due to all the sugar and the type of sugar they are using now… It is called Alcohol sugar and I assume it’s cheaper or it is absorbed into the body faster for a faster kick)…PS ..It really hit me how much I was drinking when I realized I was still drinking a monster when I went to the dentist appointment! (B) I have also noticed that I need sleeping pills when I drink them regularly and (C) I have many more trips to the bathroom when I am drinking them.
I know I know you’re probably saying why don’t you stop buying them …well I have this nice wife who likes to get me things I like, and she likes to shop. So life isn’t all bad. But seriously!!! Has anybody else out there experienced any teeth or gum problems with the energy drinks? Esp. Monster…
And to the mother who lost her son…I am sorry for your loss…but I have also noticed sever cramping when I work hard outdoors on a hot days. As the article above says …I forget to re-hydrate because the Energy Drinks keep me going so much I don’t see a need to re-hydrate. These are the most severe and regular cramps that I have ever received in my life. And I played college tennis and rarely cramped. It could be a mixture of the medicine I have to take and the Energy drinks and not the Energy drinks alone, I don’t know. One last thing I have found to be consistent on this subject is … Drs’ and Dentists are reluctant or ignorant on this subject. They are little or no help…except to say, “Maybe they may have too much sugar or caffeine!”
Thanks in advance … if anyone has had similar problems and would care to share them…
PSS…I am 52 yrs old and used to be very athletic.
April 18, 2010 at 2:39 pm
2nd Input I sent in at 2pm 4-17-2010
PSS…To Saber27! Regretfully I didn’t see your article until after I posted my first article. I don’t know how I missed it, but isn’t that just like life! You read and read and you miss the most important article because you have read too much.
Saber27 I really feel for you! I really appreciated your post and I will now swear off Monster (and other) energy drinks forever! I think I am having a very similar problem to your gum problems but because I am 8 years younger my body may be still able to repair the damage or because I quit before I get the root canal my saliva glands kick in just in the nick of time. I don’t know? But 18 months ago I wasn’t so lucky… and even though the oral surgeon wasn’t sure what was wrong with me, he still cut open my gum and cut off part of the root that he” thought” was infected. !Never did he look at it under a microscope or have tests run on it) That same surgeon has looked at me recently (I have been drinking monsters for 6 months regularly now) and although he couldn’t see anything wrong, he said he would be GLAD to perform a re-root canal to help me see if that is the problem! GLAD! Yea. I bet he’ll be glad to receive another $1500.00 bucks from me.
I had assumed it was the energy drinks for some time now. But after comparing your experiences to mine …now I am sure! No more Monsters for me….forever! One of the first things I started to notice was that I had a hard time swallowing sometimes…like there wasn’t enough moisture there. Another interesting thing is that the first tooth that starts hurting is always the one with the worst crown on it. This crown doesn’t come all the way down to the gum line! It cracks me up how all these dentists stick up for each other because when I bring this little issue up they always say …”well he didn’t do that bad of a job”, and “sometimes it’s better not to have the crown come all the way down to meet the gum”, and “although it’s not that bad , I’d be glad to replace it for you if you want”! Thanks but no thanks! There is one thing good about it though …It’s always the first one to start hurting when I start drinking the Monster “energy” drinks again! It’s my warning that something is wrong!
Our government has had a hands off approach to business for the last 8 years (2000-2009) and the FDA the SEC and the Mortgage industry regulators have been terribly understaffed to do the jobs that they were tasked to do to supposedly protect the public! So I guess it is up to us! I love this Pirate mentality (All for One attitude…). I have a root canal scheduled for 2 weeks from now. I have been off monsters for 3 days and already my gums are starting to feel better. I wish I would have researched this more completely before. Wish I’d seen your post sooner. But such is life. Who would have thought one of those strange ingredients that I had no idea of what they were, is actually the same thing that may be rotting the teeth of meth-heads and the government hasn’t had the staff to take a look at it. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if that’s what gives these “NEW” “ENERGY” drinks their special kick!
Saber27, like you I have also had stomach problems (I use Pepsid daily) and have had bladder problems like some of the others that have written in.
I hope that my body still has the ability to regenerate like it has in the past when I stopped drinking them in time. I can only hope that your problems start to go away after you’ve been off of them for long enough Saber27!
I was wondering…have you considered high doses of natural multi vitamins like (Nature Made and/or Captain Carrot), Vitamin E and Fish Oil (Vit E because I but I can’t stomach the fish oil) has very strong regenerative capabilities (something you won’t hear from your dentist or Dr), and lastly a high potency B-complex vitamin for energy? They have helped me! Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium has also helped me with the cramps.
Now I know why doctors look at me with disgust when I tell them that I have researched this or that on the internet…It’s because it cuts into their revenue stream! Every time I have told a doctor I have spent hours researching something on the internet they refuse to look at it! The creeps don’t want to admit you already know the answer when all you want from them is validation! I have been almost killed by doctors a few times…Viox…bad anti-depressants, surgery they aren’t as wise or as good as the act… nuff said!
Anyways I’ve rambled on long enough. I hope this has helped someone… And thanks for your postings and the Web sight! They have helped me! Energy drinks can go to…
Deon
April 18, 2010 at 4:38 pm
I am 25 I drink Rockstar’s everyday anywhere from 3-6 a day. i was wondering how bad they really are for you. I hear it all the time from my boyfriend and from my dad. Telling me to stop drinking them. I have not really felt any side effects just a lil energy that’s really about it. which now i feel like I don’t even get that energy anymore I am so use to them.
April 29, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I began drinking energy drinks around 2001 when i started college and continued to drink until I switched to coffee (yep..caffeine addict). My boyfriend is a school teacher and said that one energy drink at 6 in the morning keeps him alert, focused and puts him in an excellent mood during his day. I got on this website because he mentioned that he was concerned with all the potential risks and health factors that MAY/MAY NOT come with drinking energy drinks. I have read every post on this site and want to thank everyone for their comments. It seems as if there are possible correlations to gum and tooth decay, as well as the rapid heart beat and cramps. These are all things I experienced during my “monster” days but failed to make the correlations. It seems ironic that I didnt think sugar=tooth and gum decay and rapid heart beat…I was young… It is now 2010 and I can count on one hand how many energy drinks (aside from coffee) that I have had since 2006. My gums no longer bleed, my teeth are looking better than ever, and my heart doesnt “skip a beat” anymore. I still get serious cramps at odd times, and sometimes zone out (almost like my brain goes into a fog) but maybe its the coffee, maybe its the energy drinks, maybe its none of the above!
May 6, 2010 at 1:14 pm
My huband drinks 2-4 monsters a day. He dosent sleep well at night and has severe mood swings. He also has stomach pain and burning while urinating. I have tried to suggest that he cuts down on the energy drink, but he argues that they are full of natural ingredients and they keep him healthy. He never drinks any water, only monsters, mountain dew, and coke-caffiene filled drinks. I am so worried about his health and the long term side effects from so much caffiene. The 1st thing he does in the morning is grab a monster and when he finishes it, he grabs another one. He don’t even eat until later on in the afternoon, he runs on caffiene and whatever else is in those drinks. I have reading some articles to him about the dangers. But after you are addicted and have a dependency to caffiene, how do you stop? Somehow this link just popped up on my phone. We didn’t download it, it just appeared. I think it’s a sign! I hope he will take all this into consideration.
May 7, 2010 at 10:19 pm
You need to find an energy drink that gives energy from ADAPTOGENIC HERBS, B12 VITAMINS and with NO SUGAR. Stay away from Sugar-loaded energy drinks.
May 20, 2010 at 9:52 pm
My best friend was complaining about his gums hurting about 2 weeks ago.Last thursday they found him dead.While the autopsy reports arent back yet,it is suspected these energy drinks played a large part in his demise.He drank around 2 per day.They did say the drinks eat up his cell structure,and was eating away at his internal organs.
So,my opinion is,Go get some life insurance on yourself,or someone you know,that is drinking this stuff.
May 25, 2010 at 10:23 pm
I agree with a few of the posters that energy drinks are not necessarily good for you but at the same time you should take them in moderation. Anything taken in excess will kill you. As for the person named Rob that is 17 and posted about taking 9 monster drinks in one day. Are you stupid?? There is a reason why there is a warning ON THE DRINK can that says do not consume more than 3 in a day. You are lucky your heart did not explode from all the excitement. And why are you consuming energy drinks at age 13 – 17? As a teen you should not have any problems with energy! Lisa, as for your husband, all that sugar consumption and no water will lead to kidney stones. Give him a few more months and he will be crying when he pees and you will be saying “I told you so”. Or better yet warn him now before it is too late. As for the “crashing” after taking an energy drink, I found out that if you eat something before or right after taking the drink, you won’t crash. And don’t forget to drink lots of water to compensate since the energy drink flushes all the water out of your system.
May 26, 2010 at 9:27 am
I first bought the monster energy drink yesterday and it taste good. The reason I bought it because I want to stay up late, and it didn’t work, i was too sleepy. Today i drank it again and now i feel a little strange.. I am 18 years old and i have high blood pressure. I don’t feel my heart is beating fast. so.. I suggested that Energy Drink should not be made. too much sugar and it not good for me.
May 27, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Wow,lots of great info here. My experience with low carb Monster is one I wouldn’t wish on anyone. I have IBS for 30 yrs, sometimes active, sometimes not. I drank low carb Monsters like water andy IBS went into high gear. I’m talking diarrhea for over a YEAR! I lost a lot of weight, became very dehydrated and went thru more tests than I can remember. Heavy duty prescriptions galore never even slowed it for a day. Gastro drs. were stumped. I “forgot” to ever mention the Monsters. (addict
behavior?). I finally stopped drinking Monsters and the diarrhea stopped! I’ve always drank diet EDs, but after some experentation determined that it was the Monsters. Pls consider stopping if you are having any gastro pain or related issues. Or at least consider laying off them for a short period, one day at a time.
Now I’m a Rock Star (diet) queen and having swelling in my rt foot. Denial is saying it can’t be the ED. Going to take my own suggestion & lay off them for a week. We shall see…..
June 13, 2010 at 7:19 am
I drank an XL energy drink yesterday and one today and I have noticed an unbelivable decline in my memory, but I don’t think this is the only one that has this side effect.
By the way, I drank 4 cans of Rienergy or XL last year in about 8 hours and I felt very weird, like there was something wrong with me , just that I didn’t feel pain, but didn’t feel like having fun either. My heart felt weird. I think it might have been arrythmia. I usually have BP 131 / 70. It might make somewhat of a difference.
It was 5 o’ clock in the morning and after 4 cans of XL I slept like a baby. Caffeine doesn’t seem to have that much of an effect on me.
I’d like to see you experiences with energy drinks.
Live fast, die young.
June 15, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Rob, your solution is pretty simple. On the back of every can of Monster, it tells you to consume responsibly and not drink more than 3 cans a day. (for normal sized cans.) On a can of Monster BFC, it tells you to drink NO MORE than one can a day. I’m sure if you follow what they say, you’ll be just fine. And for the record to everybody out there, I drink Monster energy drink everyday before work, sometimes I drink more than one can a day, however I follow the warning on the can and so far I’ve had no adverse effects (aside from some pretty intense bowel movements when I first started drinking Monster hah). I think that it really depends on your heart, and kidney health. Energy drinks contain stimulants, which cause your heart rate to increase, so if you have a bad heart you obviously don’t want to consume something that is going to increase your heart rate. Drinking these drinks while having kidneys in poor health could also be a bad idea, because drinking drinks like this puts more stress on your kidneys than necessary. In all honesty, there’s no need for anybody to drink Monster, but it does help you get through the day if you need a pick-me-up. Just drink it responsibly, just like with alcohol, and you should be set!
June 19, 2010 at 1:34 am
Saber27, if your body didn’t produce enough mucus, your stomach would literally digest itself. You’d be experiencing a lot more than sever stomach pain, man.
June 19, 2010 at 1:44 am
Despite all the “good stuff” that the companies are trying to sell us, there are so many side effects – more than we would like to count on both of our hands combined. There are still so many people that are gullible enough to keep trying or using these drinks. I used to drink a lot of SoBe energy drinks until I realized that I get horrible bouts of diarrhea every single time I finish a bottle. I stopped it altogether and my horrible bouts of diarrhea went away in a few days after it was all out of my system. I tried XS drinks – they are delicious and I keep thinking about the reaction I had to SoBe drinks and I just stopped after a few XS bottles. I prefer coffee and tea to energy drinks.
June 28, 2010 at 11:20 pm
i dont drink energy drinks, i have coffee everyday but thats not a big deal. anyways last night i was with some friend and they were drinking bawls, this is a new drink that says there is 50% more caffine in it so i bought one just to try it and i drank half of it, it was so gross, it tasted like a nasty cheap fruity vodca, so instead i bought this drink called venom, and it was okay.
so when i get home i started to feel sick (light headed) and when i took my shoes off my feet were coverd in hives!!! at first i didnt know what it was from but then i was thinking it was from the energy drinks. i had an allergic reaction to it. im just glad it wasnt to serious
July 1, 2010 at 10:44 pm
For everyone saying that energy drinks are so bad, you army considering the other side of he story. I started drinking lo carb monsters junior year to supplement all the coffee I was drinking and to help me make it through my long nights of ap homework. I have been drinking these drinks religiously, having one or two a day along with coffee and other caffeine products and have never suffered any side effects. My blood pressure is still well within normal limits, and honestly I feel that I have gotten more up beat and I have been able to pay attention more since I’ve started drinking them. Let’s put it his way, every year I have failed or come close to failing my first period class, junior year when I started drinking my monster every morning, I for the first time recieved all As and Bs in my first period AP course. Now you try to tell me again that emery drinks are all bad because all I’ve experienced are good results.
July 2, 2010 at 11:28 am
My 22 year old son drank one Monster drink once or twice a week until three weeks ago. He was scheduled to work a night shift and go to an early college class the following morning. After class he had a late lunch with his father. He was feeling tired bought a Monster drink on the was home. Arrived home about 3:00 pm talked to me for about half hour went to his room was playing a video games with his younger brother and drank his Monster drink. Around 5:00 pm his brother yells “Something is wrong with Dale!” I ran it the room and he was having seizure, he face was blue and he was shaking all over; his back was arched, bitting his tomgue, hitting his head on the bed. (It was the scariest 5 minutes of my life.) 911 was called. His heart rate and blood pressure were high. He oxygen was low and he was placed on oxygen. He taken to emergency. Most of the test we negative, including a drug test. The only abnormal test was the blood sugar a little high from the sugars in the drink. The ER doctor asked if he drank a energy drink and he told them he drank one. The ER doctor and the nurse told me they had several cases of seizures related to energery drinks. (This has been his only seizure.) Called the Monster company, was told by Maria, “The can has a warning label do not drink more than three sixteen ounce cans in a day, or if caffeine sensitive, or pregnant”. The company feels it safe to drink and it is not responsible if someone has an adverse reaction. According to the company a seizure is not a side effect that is possible. He now has thousands in hospital bills that he has to pay (he does not have insurance) and it possibly could have cost him his life. He has not had another seizure since he stopped drinking the Monster drinks, he will not drink other energy drink because he is not sure they are as safe as they claim to be. Just be careful.
July 8, 2010 at 1:50 pm
I think everyone has to stop worrying about what energy drinks can do to you. There aint any proof of anything that causes ill health. If you drink them responsibly im sure they wont do anything bad to you but drinking them obsessively probably will do damage. SO WHAT! Drinking too much fresh juice is meant to be bad for you too long term anyways. All im saying is everyone whos complaining is just giving their opinion, does not mean it is correct. Obviously some people are going to have bad reactions to it. god some people have bad reactions to nuts, That doesn’t make nuts bad for you. Does it? If you have a bad reaction dont drink it and don’t complain about it and tell everyone its the worst thing for you dont drink it. When some people sorry most people don’t get illnes short/long term. People may say or my friend died it was energy drinks. Yeh right! you don’t know how he died you mean and because there isn’t a full explanation to all ingredients in energy drinks you thought you would blame the energy drink. All im saying is drink it responsibly and don’t listen to the people who say its sooo bad for you if it were that bad there would be proof that its bad and the FDA would of advised a ban for it more than likely.
So my friends remember no half measures,
say hello to the grind and pound it down.
July 11, 2010 at 7:28 pm
I love how everyone on here is saying how they drink coffee and that’s okay but these energy drinks arn’t. Has anyone ever stoped to look at the facts. One can of the average monster (original or lo carb) has 160mmg of caffinee while 1 grande starbucks original brew coffee has 330mmg of caffinee. That is more than double the caffinee yet everyone is saying how these drinks are so much worse than coffee due to the level of caffinee
July 15, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I drink NOS energy drinks and also take yellow jacket energy pills on almost a regular basis. I work two jobs and still have to maintain a regular life so I take those to keep me awake, alert and keep me going. I have probably been taking them for about 4-5 years now and at first I was getting those crazy symptoms…shakiness, sweating, heart rythym sped up… and also started feeling nauesas but I have figured out over a period of time, my limits and also even though it does not say it on the bottle of either one, you must eat right before you take them… therefore you wont get nauseas or sick… I also know my limits and know how much to drink and how many pills to take in a period of time… I have done research on energy suppliments and noticed that a few people have passed away from energy drinks such as red bull and monsters, but as of yet, there is still no certain diagnosis on why they passed away. I am addicted to caffine and feel like children and young people should never start taking these, I wish I would have never tried it… Its basically like legal drugs… and its all very very much addictive.. so to all the younger children out there, Please dont start taking energy pills or drinks.. to be addicted to something, might be cool at first and feel great but after years, its not so cool anymore. Hope this post helped someone and feel free to comment any opinions on my post. Thank you.
July 19, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Wow. For those of you that drink 5 cans a day and blame the drinks because you get sick, read a book or something. You’re dumb. Drink a couple litres of pepsi a day and see how you feel. As for the people that say they know someone that drank one can and had to go to the ER, you’re full of it. Oh, I also think the placeboitis guy was mocking all the dum dums too. Haha. Wow.
July 22, 2010 at 6:10 pm
If you drink energy drinks every day, and just sit in front of the computer like the majority of Americans today, you WILL have side effects. And unpleasent ones. But if your part of the rare, active, non retarded kind of person who knows how to handle it in moderation alongside a healthy diet then Energy Drinks will do absolutely nothing to you. I take Ninjutsu 5 nights a week and go to the gym the days i don’t, eat healthy and get plenty of exercise and look at me. Drink one maybe 2 -3 days? Completely fine. And i like the post from Janurary “Ohhh cold sweats this chills that”, Heavy Metal Monster is A) good, and B) If you have an empty stomach or cant handle caffeine then yeah, sure, you’ll feel like s— drinking THAT much monster. Also, LOOK AT THE SERVING SIZE, maybe you should follow them if your so paranoid about energy drinks. LOL. Cold sweats.
July 25, 2010 at 2:41 pm
I don’t see what’s so different between coffee drinking and ED drinking.
Take Monster for instance. It has 160mg of caffeine in a 16oz can. The same amount of coffee (2 cups only) has over 300 mg of caffeine.
What else is different. The monster is carbonated, has sugar, and B vitamins.
July 25, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Ive been drinking red bull for about 3 years now and my feet get hard knots on them. I quit drinking red bull and it doesnt happen anymore, but when i start drinking them again, i get knots on my feet again and it hurts to walk. i can actually see where my feet are swelling. I know for certain it is the red bull causing this. Anyone else experience this?
July 31, 2010 at 11:03 pm
I am nurse with 23 years of experience. My son is healthy, has not had another seizure since he stopped drinking the Monster drinks six weeks ago. He also lost 10lbs. I am happy to report because I really don’t want to see my son having a seizure problem because it would mean his driver’s license will be revoked and would mean tons of medical bills. We treat this as if he has an allergy to something in the Monster drink. No one knows when they will develop and allergy to something. Are people with allergies retarded? No!!! They must live life carefully. Take a person who is allergic to nuts, he or she may have his/her airway swell and it becomes an emergency unless they have an epinephrine shot to stop the swelling. I am concerned about some of the ingredients such 2500mg of “energy blend”. I don’t what is actually in it. I know niacin can cause “hot flashes” and to much potassium and cause problems with muscle cramping and heart problems. My son’s labs were normal except the sugar, so he didn’t have to much potassium. They don’t test for niacin. My son thought he was superhuman too until he drank the wrong thing. I see 30years old people dying from cirrhosis of the liver, they started drink as young teenagers. They too, think they are superhuman until they start bleeding from rectum and coughing up blood. Their skin is yellow as a pumpkin. Think twice about what you put in our mouth. Or don’t and I will have job security. It’s your dollar.
August 4, 2010 at 5:40 pm