Monster Energy Drinks are on the shelves of most grocery stores in the United States. According to Northwestern University, energy drinks are popular among both college students for studying competitions and athletes for competitions. According to MonsterEnergy.com, a full can of Monster contains 54g of sugar and the stimulants caffeine and guarana. If you frequently consume Monster, especially on a daily basis, you should be aware of the pros and cons of this drink.
Increased Cognitive and Athletic Performance
Monster Energy Drinks are popular among students and athletes because they can increase performance and focus. Energy drinks may increase your cognitive and athletic performance according to Northwestern University in Chicago. According to Penn State University, caffeine, one of the primary ingredients in Monster can increase alertness especially in "low arousal" situations. The fact that energy drinks give the user more energy is "hard to deny" according to Vanderbilt University. This is due in large part to the caffeine content of the drink.
Cardiovascular Concerns
Monster Energy Drinks can present cardiovascular concerns, especially if you are sensitive to stimulants. Caffeine, one of the primary ingredients in Monster Energy Drinks can increase your blood pressure and heart rate according to the University of Washington. Guarana, another primary ingredient in Monster Energy Drinks, has three times the concentration of caffeine according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Brown University notes that the short-term stimulant effects of energy drinks can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, cause insomnia and even cause heart palpitations.
Dangerous Combination with Alcohol
Monster Energy Drinks can have very dangerous side effects when combined with hard liquor or alcohol according to Brown University. Combining stimulants and depressants can confuse your central nervous system. A survey at the the University of Florida reports in a given month, 28 percent of college students consume alcohol beverage with energy drinks. Brown University and the University of Florida reports that although your blood alcohol content is elevated, the stimulant properties of energy drinks can lessen your perception of how intoxicated you are. The lessened sense of impairment can result increased level driving risk and even higher levels of intoxication.
References
- Northwestern University: Energy Drinks May Boost your Bounce But Beware of Side Effects
- Penn State University: Caffeine's Effect on Human Health
- University of Alabama-Birmingham: Energy Drinks: Healthful or Harmful?
- University of Washington: Effects of Caffeine on the Nervous System
- University of Florida: Alcohol, Energy Drinks Add Up to Higher Intoxication Levels, Increased Driving Risk
- Potsdam University: Mixing Alcohol & Energy Drinks May Spell Disaster
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