Energy Drink Dangers
MEDICAL By Dr. Dudley Crosson, ALEA Aeromedical Liaison 48 AIRBEATMAGAZINE l JanuaryFebruary l 2012 MEDICAL ecent research has indicated COMMON ENERGY DRINK INGREDIENT CLAIMS energy drinks are the most popular Table 1 supplement besides multivitamins INGREDIENT DRINK FUNCTIONAL CLAIM R in the American adolescent and young adult population. More than 30% of Improves endurance, increases fat all American male and female adolescents Carnitine Monster, Rockstar, Full Throttle metabolism, protects against use these supplements on a regular basis. cardiovascular disease Energy drinks are also reported to be the most popular supplement among Go Girl Sugar Free, Glucuronlactone Promotes excretion of toxins and young elite British athletes to control body Red Bull, Monster protects against cancer fat or enhance performance. In public safety aviation, many crewmembers use Increases energy, enhances them to mitigate fatigue due to heavy Monster, Rockstar, Full Throttle physical performance, workloads and schedules. Guarana promotes weight loss Performance enhancing drinks are noth- ing new. Originally, sports drinks were Go Girl Sugar Free, Red Bull, intended for electrolyte replacement. Elec- Decreases triglyceride and trolytes are elements that dissolve into ions Inositol Monster, cholesterol levels, lowers risk of essential for muscle, nerve and brain func- Rockstar, Wired B12 Rush cardiovascular disease tion. Most important are sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Then Speeds illness recovery, improves came the energy drinks, which include a Panax Ginseng Monster, Rockstar mental/physical/sexual perfor- load of caffeine, sugar and other ingredients mance, controls blood glucose, to enhance performance. lowers blood pressure Unfortunately, even the early sports Suppresses appetite/ weight loss drinks included significant amounts of Super Citramax Go Girl Sugar Free sugar to make them palatable for the general population.
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