Energy is no more effective than coffee
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Energy drinks became famous thanks to their "wing" and quickly won the trust of people, firmly settled on the shelves of supermarkets. Banks with a power engineer can often be seen in the hands of young people, who drink them in anticipation of the most inspirational effect. But what is actually the effect of energy drinks and does it really carry the "energy of nature" in itself, as the producers affirm?
Surely many have heard that these drinks include guarana and ginseng, which, due to their natural and natural strength, have an invigorating effect and stimulate activity.
Read also: Caffeine: dispel myths
However, according to a new study by scientists, the only effective ingredient in drinks like "Redbull" is caffeine.
A study published in the journal Nutrition says: there is no reason to believe that energy-containing components, such as taurine, plant extracts of ginseng and guarana and cocoa alkaloids, increase productivity and performance, as was previously thought.
The new research of scientists calls into question the stimulating effect of these components. Experts say that the main stimulant and "inspirator" is a shock dose of caffeine.
Experts studied dozens of research results that examined the effect of the ingredients apart from caffeine and with it.
With the exception of some stimulating effects of guarana extract and a high glucose level, which ensures rapid absorption of components into the blood, experts found no strong evidence that energy drinks act on the human body encouragingly due to the components included in it.
Read also: 7 unexpected products containing caffeine
The only effective stimulant is the dose of caffeine, which provides an increase in physical and cognitive activity.
In a study conducted by scientists this year, it was found that energy drinks contained fourteen times more caffeine than in any other non-alcoholic beverage.
In addition, experts warn that the use of such drinks by children can lead to a set of excess weight, because the number of calories received with a drink exceeds the activity of children, which would help these calories to be consumed.
A high level of caffeine content is a hidden threat that carries "spirited" beverages. Because its content is 14 times the dose of caffeine in other non-alcoholic drinks, the stimulating effect of caffeine can adversely affect the work of the heart, cause seizures, behavioral disorders and carry the threat of developing diabetes.
Doctors warn of the danger of consuming energy drinks, as well as so-called sports drinks, especially for children.
"It's better to drink plain water and less fatigue, so as not to seek help from similar stimulant drinks," says Professor Holly Benjamin, lead author of the report, a member of the University of Chicago.
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