Energy drinks may just be a walking time bomb for some people. Back in October we reported on one such case where a fourteen year old girl, Anais Fournier died from an overdose of caffeine from energy drinks. The Daily Health News in a Bottom Line publication reveals more information on Jan. 14 about companies not labeling their drink products with the proper amounts of caffeine they contain.
According to recent updates by the FDA there have been three brands of energy drinks that have noted side effects that included deaths that total thirteen over the past four years. They are the 5 Hour Energy, Monster Energy and Rockstar Energy. The FDA is also asking why the amount of caffeine isn’t required on a food label.
Now according to labels of some energy drinks the amount of caffeine listed on the labels is similar to that of an average cup of coffee. In other cases the amounts of caffeine has been significantly higher. Not all companies who manufacture these drinks list the correct amount of caffeine an individual will consume and that can be dangerous.
Why can these companies get away with not telling the whole story? That is easy and not something that is easily comprehended either. It seems there are no legal requirements for them do be truthful with the public. If a law was in affect they would have to list the proper amounts of caffeine each drink bottle contains.
The reason behind this is even though caffeine is thought to be a drug the energy drinks themselves are not. When the two are combined the words energy drinks take precedence over the word caffeine and the companies can get away without informing the public if there is more caffeine in each drink than what is listed on the product’s label.
Overdosing on an energy drink and massive amounts of caffeine in general can result in heart arrhythmia, palpitations, the jitters, insomnia, nervousness, an irregular heart rhythm and even death.
Caffeine is an alkaloid that acts as a stimulant drug and an acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor. It acts against the central nervous system warding off drowsiness while restoring alertness. When caffeine is consumed in high doses it is considered toxic. It can lead to sleep disruption and deprivation which can lead to insomnia. It also has affects on patients with anxiety disorders and can also contribute to other conditions such as; nervousness, irritability, restlessness, headaches, and heart palpitations.
It is up to each individual to read the labels carefully. It a container states that particular drink contains more than one serving it would be a smart practice not to down the entire can in one sitting. Knowing how caffeine affects your system and how much you can handle is also important. If after drinking one energy drink and you don’t feel more alert and energetic do not grab for another. It may take time to metabolism in your system. Not everyone reacts at the same levels. Some are faster while others have slower reactions to the drug caffeine.
If you experience any of the symptoms of a caffeine overdose seek medical attention immediately. It may just save your life!
© 2013 Beverly Mucha / All Rights Reserved
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