What happens when drinking energy drinks: how the drink affects the human heart
On the shelves of many stores you can find various tin cans, glass and plastic bottles filled with drinks, which are popularly called energy drinks.
The companies that produce the product indicate their ability not only to quench thirst, but also to stimulate the activity of the human nervous system, since the effect of these drinks on the human body is antisedative.
Of course, not everything is so simple, and the use of such drinks can lead to various negative consequences for the human cardiovascular system, the brain and the body as a whole. What happens to the human heart and the body as a whole when using energy drinks and how to reduce the risk, we will consider in our article.
Content
What is included in their composition?
Buyers of products of this type are well aware that they are available in containers with a volume of 0.33 liters, less often 0.5 liters. This is due to a number of reasons. One of them is the desire of manufacturers to limit the one—time consumption of energy drinks by the person who bought them.
In various countries of the world there is a restriction on the sale of such drinks. For example, in the USA, since 2010, it has been prohibited to sell energy in all states. In some European countries, products of this type are sold only in pharmacies.
The composition of most energy drinks includes:
- Caffeine. Is included in all types of energy drinks. It plays the role of the main stimulator of the brain. By myself Caffeine is even good for the heart , but only in adequate dosages and in the form of natural coffee.
- Taurine. Stimulates the metabolic processes in the body, has anticonvulsant properties.
- Carnitine. Reduces muscle fatigue and accelerates the oxidation of fatty acids.
- Guarana. Has tonic properties, removes lactic acid from muscle tissues.
- Matein. Dulls hunger and promotes weight loss.
- Sugar. Has a devastating effect on blood vessels and the body as a whole.
Also check out the infographic:
Each type of drink contains vitamins of various groups. The carbon dioxide contained in the cola contributes to the rapid absorption of the drink into the human blood. The effect of invigorating the body is felt from the first sips. For a short time, a person feels a surge of strength.
The effect of energy drinks on the body lasts no more than 4 hours. A 0.25 ml can of energy corresponds to 2 cups of espresso coffee.
Effects on the cardiovascular system
Most people know that energy, acting on the nervous system, increases efficiency and reduces drowsiness.
Studies of the effects of drinks on the human body have shown that in addition to their positive properties, they carry danger.
The vitamins contained in them do not form a balanced complex in the body. Excessive consumption of energy leads to a sharp increase in blood pressure and the percentage of sugar in the blood.
A large dose of the drink causes palpitations and tremors of the extremities. Daily consumption of high doses of caffeine contained in the product leads to exhaustion, imbalance of the water-salt balance in the human body and gastritis.
According to research , the consequence of the harmful effects of such drinks may be:
- Depression and increased irritability;
- Fatigue and insomnia;
- Palpitations (tachycardia), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and many other cardiovascular diseases;
- High blood pressure (hypertension);
- Uncontrollable nervous breakdowns.
Exhaustion of the nervous system causes an overabundance of vitamin B entering the human body with a drink.
Energy is particularly dangerous for the heart and blood vessels. Very often their use leads to angina pectoris and arrhythmia. Serious studies of power engineers were conducted by French scientists. They revealed that of the 257 registered facts of the negative effects of drinks on the human body, 95 concerned the cardiovascular system.
The people participating in the study had attacks of angina pectoris, arrhythmia and arterial hypotension. In medical practice, the expression "caffeine syndrome" is used. It is understood as a complex of symptoms and diseases, including tachycardia, trembling of the hands, increased agitation, severe headache.
The use of energy drinks by people with heart disease can lead to cardiac arrest. The consumption of drinks is strictly prohibited even for healthy people immediately after the end or during physical training. Weekly regular intake of the product leads to a 7.8% increase in heart rate, and after 2 weeks by 11%.
Why can chest pain occur after drinking them?
The most common consequence of drinking energy drinks is tachycardia
, manifested by pain in the heart and the feeling that it is beating strongly. Tachycardia requires serious treatment.
If a person has drunk an energy drink and feels pain or tingling in the heart, this should be taken seriously. The first thing to do at the first signs of malaise is to stop drinking these drinks and eliminate any additional stress on the heart.
A sharp deterioration in the state of health requires the provision of emergency therapeutic assistance to a person. It is best to call an ambulance. If you feel slightly unwell, sleep can help. With a rapid pulse rate of more than 100 beats per minute, a person can take several actions on your own that will help you feel better.
They include:
- Hold your breath for 10-15 seconds (the exercise is repeated after each inhalation for 10 minutes).
- Taking a cold shower (in the absence of such an opportunity, you can replace the shower with washing).
Can these drinks stop the heart?
The highest risk of cardiac arrest is noted by doctors in people with undiagnosed problems with the cardiovascular system. The risk group includes children, adolescents, and the elderly.
The heart can also stop in quite healthy people when using energy drinks together with other alcoholic beverages or when taking them during serious physical exertion.
It is not known for sure how much energy drinks you need to drink in order for your heart to stop. However, the dose causing this risk is 2 cans of a 250 ml drink.
See also:
How to reduce harm - 4 rules
Taking energy drinks has a number of contraindications and can greatly harm your health, which will be difficult to restore later. There are a number of diseases, the presence of which makes drinking a drink deadly. These diseases include hypertension, angina pectoris and other heart diseases.
In no case should you:
- Combine the intake of energy drinks with coffee, strong tea and medicines;
- Drink more than 2 cans of product at once;
- Drink a drink during workouts, on the dance floor, or when doing heavy physical work;
- Do not drink energy drinks immediately after sleeping in the morning.
A few words about the right diet
People with problems with the cardiovascular system should pay attention to diet for heart health . There are a number of products that can be used as therapeutic or prophylactic agents. Among them:
- Fruits are extremely necessary for the heart. It is best to include in the menu lemons , persimmon , grenades and bananas .
- Vegetables are also important. "Healers" of the heart — tomatoes , garlic , onion , avocado, pumpkin , all kinds of pepper .
- Berries. Especially grapes , kalina , cranberries , hawthorn and blueberry.
- Nuts. Hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts and walnuts.
- Dried fruits. Dried Apricots , prunes, figs, raisins , dates.
- Dairy products. Butter, skimmed cow's milk, sheep's cheese, yoghurts.
- Fish. Herring, mackerel, capelin, halibut, salmon.
- Turmeric.
- Bitter chocolate.
- Olive and linseed oil.
- Drinks. Tomato, cranberry and pumpkin juices , green tea, dry red wine, limited coffee and cognac .
All kinds of foods should be eaten fresh or freshly prepared.
Conclusion
People with heart disease are strongly discouraged from drinking energy drinks. If a heart attack occurs, an ambulance must be called immediately. You can reduce the rapid pulse yourself with the help of Corvalol.
