Energy Drinks Create Unhealthy Increase in Blood Pressure & Heart Rate — And Pose These Other Risks

Over 30 percent of teenagers, and 34 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds, consume energy drinks on a regular basis, according to a report by the Marin Institute. These drinks are heavily marketed to teens as a harmless way to boost energy, but in reality they’ve been linked to serious health effects.

Still, in just one year alone, energy drinks brought in more than $3.2 billion in sales, and up to 500 new energy drink products were introduced worldwide. And sales continue to grow, despite the largely unpublicized risks.

The obvious danger stems from the high levels of caffeine (some energy drinks contain up to 300 mg of caffeine, compared with 80 mg for a typical cup of coffee), which can lead to:

  • Increased anxiety and panic attacks
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Bowel irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Increased gastric acid

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