Monster Energy drinks may give you the extra jolt of energy to get through your day, but chugging the sugary, caffeinated beverages may affect your health. According to Dr. Manny Alvarez on FoxNews.com, energy drinks, like Monster Energy, contain caffeine and herbal concoctions that may cause interactions with prescription medications and other side effects. Consult your doctor before using Monster Energy drinks.
Types
Monster Energy drinks contain a combination of caffeine and herbs like taurine, guarana and ginseng in order to create a spurt of energy without the typical crash you may experience from drinking caffeine alone, according to Alvarez. Monster Energy produces several variations of the original Monster Energy drink, including coffee blends like the Java Monster Irish Blend drink and low-calorie versions like the the Monster Energy Import Light drink, according to the Monster Energy Drink official website. Monster Energy drinks are available for purchase at convenience stores and grocery stores.
Function
The traditional Monster Energy Drink contains 2,500 mg of an energy blend that contains caffeine, guarana, glucose, l-carnitine, inositol, maltodextrin and glucuronolactone, designed to boost energy. Caffeine helps perk you up by blocking adenosine, a chemical in the brain that makes you feel tired. When caffeine blocks adenosine, adrenaline is released by the pituitary gland, increasing the heart rate and making you feel alert, says Alvarez. As the body releases adrenaline, dopamine levels increase in the brain, making you feel more energetic.
Effects
Side effects of caffeine consumption include irritability, nervousness, a rapid heartbeat, an increase in blood pressure and insomnia, according to MayoClinic.com. When combined with other additives in the energy blend found in Monster Energy Drinks, side effects may increase or worsen. Energy drinks are marketed as health supplements rather than soft drinks, so they may cause interactions with some prescription medications and may cause serious side effects in individuals with health conditions.
Nutrition Facts
According to the Monster Energy Drink website, the original Monster Energy Drink contains two servings per 16-oz. can. One serving contains 100 calories, 26 g carbohydrates, 27 g sugars, 1.7 mg riboflavin, 20 mg niacin, 2 mg vitamin B6, 6 mcg vitamin B12, 180 mg sodium, 1,000 mg taurine, 200 mg panax ginseng and 2,500 mg of the energy blend.
Expert Insight
According to Alvarez, mixing energy drinks with alcohol may make consuming energy drinks even more dangerous. Both alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating, so body fluids may become dangerously low. Alcohol is a depressant, while caffeine is a stimulant and masks the effects of the alcohol, so you may not notice how much alcohol you have consumed. Alcohol limits the amount of blood pumped to the brain, while caffeine increases heart rate, putting the cardiovascular system at risk. Do not mix energy drinks with alcoholic beverages.
Member Comments