It's become an everyday norm, especially for youngsters, to quickly grab an energy drink if they have to sit through 'boring' classes, pull all-nighters, drive long distances, or even to stay pumped up through sports sessions. Yes, they might 'give you wings,' help you outrun sleep, feel instantly powerful and fuel productivity, but not without consequences. Once the caffeine in the drinks fades, they definitely impact your sleep quality, heart and brain. That said, such drinks might not go away from our lives altogether either. In this scenario, the wise step would be to learn how to use them in a safe manner and who should avoid them. In one of its recent podcasts, the Mayo Clinic had Dr Anna Savatikova, who researches energy drinks, to explain whether it's possible to have energy drinks without affecting one's health, and who shouldn't consume them.

Who should avoid them?
According to Dr Svatikova, the drinks have become extremely popular as they enhance physical and mental performance. "Many people think that energy drinks hydrate them as well, but we have found the effect is opposite due to their high caffeine content," says the doctor. When asked who should avoid them, she said pregnant people, those with any kind of health conditions, children and adolescents should avoid them. "Kids are still developing, and they can develop behavioural and mental health issues, like aggression and anxiety. There is no safe limit for children's consumption of energy drinks, and they should avoid them entirely," she explains. Interestingly, combining energy drinks and exercise is also not advised, as they can dehydrate you. "The risks simply outweigh the benefits," said the doctor. 

ADVERTISEMENT

How to have them safe?
If you are in a situation where you have to absolutely have an energy drink, here are some pointers to bear in mind, the doctor advises:
1) Pick a drink with the lowest caffeine and sugar content
2) Be mindful of how much you drink. 
3) Do not mix it with anything else like alcohol, medicine, marijuana or cigarettes. 

TAGS

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.