Dangers of Energy Drinks
Most early research has stated that for the greater number of energy drinks there is no more risk to you than a cup off regular coffee per day. But due to the caffeine amount of some of the newer energy drinks on the market reaching up to the 500mg amount, compared to around 35mg amount in Coca Cola or Pepsi. There has been further research to indicate the dangers of energy drinks, especially by certain groups such as those with pre existing heart conditions as these high levels of caffeine can cause a sudden jolt to the metabolism that is high enough to trigger a heart attack.
Now some energy drinks try to correctly label and warn people that drink their stuff. Rock Star energy drink for example includes a detailed warning to those who pregnant, who may be children or are otherwise sensitive to caffeinated beverages. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should always avoid high levels of caffeine per day. Although a little caffeine has shown to produce no ill affects, more than a cup or two of coffee has been shown to cause problems in pregnant women, especially during the first trimester. The risk of miscarriage goes up substantially in this first vital trimester with high doses of caffeine and rises with the more caffeine you drink.
It has also been linked with some birth defects and energy drinks are never recommended to breastfeeding mothers as the baby cannot digest those large amounts of caffeine and this may make him or her cranky and upset. Other dangers of energy drinks are that people are drinking them as replacements for other drinks and not getting enough liquid. Caffeine actually makes you dehydrated and if you use these drinks while exercising or otherwise exerting activities you can also have fluid loss from sweating and lead to a lot of problems including severe dehydration. Energy drinks can also boost your blood pressure to dangerous levels and increase your heart rate to the point of palpitations.
One of the main ingredients in almost all energy drinks is taurine. There have been very few and no long term studies on this natural additive and energy drinks have been around in the united states for little over a decade so long term side effects of consuming this component has not been noticed. This is worrisome more because we don't know the possible conflictions taurine may have with other substances (such as caffeine or sugar itself) or even medications people may be taking, this makes energy drinks somewhat more dangerous than previously though. In all likelihood, however, taurine is probably best avoided in very large doses but poses no serious health risk on its own in moderate amounts.
So the main thing to remember is to know what you are consuming. Energy drinks are not all bad for you and can help you on those long travels to work or staying up late to study for that test, but it is not an all natural way to never sleep again.