CAPE TOWN - Health advocates have again warned that while energy drinks may give you an energy boost, excessive consumption can contribute to serious health conditions.
With the exception of caffeine, the ingredients of energy drinks have not been thoroughly studied to confirm cardiovascular safety, they said.
Despite the concerns about the safety of some of their ingredients being widely known, energy drinks have remained popular, particularly among construction workers, truck drivers, pensioners and low income earners.
Ashley Chin, Associate Professor of Cardiology/ Electrophysiology at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT Private Academic Hospital, said drinking too many energy drinks in a short time has been associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias and hypertension which can lead to myocardial infarction and stroke.
Chin warns that those with underlying cardiovascular disease should be careful by limiting the amount or avoiding the drinks altogether.
Chin recommended that people consult their doctor about whether it was safe for them to consume energy drinks.
Domestic worker Tania Moosa, of Manenberg, says she drinks one bottle every morning before she starts work.
“I will drink it in the morning, around 8 o’clock, I have it with BioPlus. It gives me a lot of energy. It helps me a lot with energy throughout the day. Even when I was pregnant I used to drink it a lot,” she said.
Moosa said she was not aware of any dangers associated with the drinks.
Pharmacist Lwanda Mkhatshane said many people were unaware of the dangers.
“They view them to be an alternative to other cold drinks, and others and buy them frequently because they are cheaper and offer them the alertness benefit. There’s nothing inherently wrong with taking BioPlus, coffee or an energy drink. There’s something wrong if you’re abusing these products. Some of these guys drink a carry pack everyday, not to mention weekends,” he said.
Mkhatshane said short-term side effects of excessive consumption include insomnia, restlessness, anxiety and heart palpitations, while long-term side effects include high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke and stomach and intestinal ulcers.
Danielle Dreyer, of Grassy Park, said she had learnt her lesson.
“One day I was busy moving with a friend of mine, and we needed energy because we were kind of feeling drained because we were packing the day before. She said she’s going to drop her daughter at school and I must drive with her, and we stopped at a shop to get an energy drink.
“I never drink the whole bottle, but I drank all of it that day. I started getting heart palpitations and my eyes literally just tipped over and I thought I was going to die because I’ve never experienced anything like that. After that day I’ve never drunk it again,” she said.
Cape Times