Red Bull, Dark Dog, Rockstar, Burn and Monster… Sales of these energy drinks are exploding in France. Every year, Red Bull sells more than 6 billion cans in 171 countries around the world. The problem is that these drinks are not without health risks, especially in cases of high consumption. And not only are their sales constantly increasing, but they are also easily accessible to minors. This is why more and more scientific research is looking at the risks associated with these drinks, which are supposed to “give us wings”. On the one hand, energy drinks contain less caffeine than traditional coffee. However, their sugar content is extremely high.

The problem is that teens and pre-teens love these energy drinks and consume them without moderation ! As a result, we are seeing more and more dangerous side effects among minors (children and adolescents) due to excessive consumption of Red Bull. Because yes, this energizing drink is bad for your health. Here are 14 dangers of Red Bull for your health and that of your children . Watch:

1. Increases the risk of cardiac arrest

The lethal dose of Red Bull? It is impossible to calculate it precisely. But it is known that even moderate consumption of energy drinks can cause cardiac arrest in people with heart problems. Before consuming energy drinks or caffeine, it is important to know your heart health. A scientific study published in the Journal of Amino Acids reveals that energy drinks cause the heart to contract more forcefully. So this is a side effect of Red Bull. And that can be dangerous for people with certain heart conditions. According to a study published in the scientific journal Clinical Toxicology , U.S. poison control centers received 4,854 calls over a two-year period regarding the side effects of energy drinks. Alarmingly, 51% of these calls concerned children. Another study shows the link between excessive consumption of energy drinks and cardiac incidents in adolescents. According to the study, adolescents should limit their consumption to 250 ml of energy drink per day, and never before or during a sporting activity . According to this other 2016 study , people aged 18 to 40 who drink energy drinks have a significant increase in QTc interval prolongation. It is a measurement used to detect an abnormal heart rhythm.

2. Triggers migraines and headaches

Overconsumption of energy drinks can cause severe headaches and persistent migraines. Where do these headaches come from? These are the most common symptoms of caffeine withdrawal . In fact, simply changing your daily caffeine “dose” will cause headaches to become more frequent. To remedy this, the only way is to reduce the dose of energy drinks, or better, to stop completely.

3. Increases anxiety

4. Severely disrupts sleep

Sometimes we drink Red Bull to avoid sleeping. To keep you awake, energy drinks do their job well! But the problem is that Red Bull keeps you so awake that you can’t fall asleep… As a result, taking Red Bull can lead to serious insomnia risks , especially if consumed regularly. Also know that lack of sleep reduces the functioning of your body. It particularly affects your performance on activities that require your concentration, making driving dangerous for example.

5. Increases the risk of type 2 diabetes

A side effect of Red Bull for heavy consumers is the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Because of its particularly high sugar content , Red Bull stimulates the cells of the pancreas to produce insulin . Obviously, this is also true for all energy drinks like Dark Dog, Rockstar, Burn and Monster. The problem is that by drinking these drinks regularly, your pancreas produces more and more insulin, until it becomes exhausted . As a result, you end up with type 2 diabetes .

6. Creates serious side effects with medications

Some ingredients in energy drinks can cause dangerous interactions with medications. Yes, taking Red Bull is strongly contraindicated if you are taking medication at the same time. The risks are even higher if you take prescription medications, including antidepressants. In any case, if you drink Red Bull and your doctor prescribes medication, ask him what he thinks.

7. Creates a strong addiction

People who consume Red Bull can quickly become addicted to it . And that’s true with any beverage that contains caffeine. It’s a real addiction. If they don’t get their daily dose, these people will experience the debilitating effects of addiction . And given the price of Red Bull , drinking several energy drinks a day can also quickly drain your piggy bank.

8. Promotes risky behavior

A study was published in the Journal of American College Health. Researchers have shown that adolescents are more exposed to risky behaviors when they have consumed energy drinks like Red Bull. As a result, teens are more likely to take risks in everyday life. Which ones? Examples include drunk driving or unprotected sex. But that’s not all! Red Bull consumption also promotes violent behavior such as fights and assaults, even without alcohol.

9. Causes tremors and increases nervousness

This scientific study showed that the high caffeine content of Red Bull causes tremors and makes some people more nervous than normal. According to the same study, this nervousness disrupts the execution of tasks and can even cause emotional disorders.

10. Causes vomiting

Overconsumption of energy drinks can cause vomiting. If vomiting is frequent, it can of course dehydrate the body. But more seriously, it also causes erosion of the esophagus and tooth enamel .

11. Causes allergic reactions

Red Bull and other energy drinks contain many ingredients that are harmful to health. The problem is that there are so many ingredients in these drinks that some of them can cause allergic reactions that no one can anticipate. What types of allergies? These reactions include itching and constriction of the airways .

12. Increases blood pressure

All caffeine products, including energy drinks, can increase blood pressure. And when people who already have high blood pressure drink too many energy drinks in a short period of time , they put themselves at risk. According to this study , they are at risk of many health problems associated with high blood pressure, including stroke. This study also showed that blood pressure increases significantly in those who drink a 250cl can of Red Bull. On average, researchers observed that energy drinks increased blood pressure by 6.4% . Energy drinks have even more negative effects on blood pressure than drinks whose only active ingredient is caffeine. This is the conclusion of a recent study published by the American Heart Association . Researchers believe that the interaction of the many active ingredients in energy drinks poses a greater risk of heart problems… This risk is much greater than with more traditional drinks, such as coffee or tea.

13. Increases the risk of vitamin B3 overdose

In theory, the amounts of vitamin B3 in energy drinks are not necessarily bad for the body. Moreover, consumed in moderation, they can even be therapeutic. However, when drinking an energy drink, people who take vitamin B3 supplements are at risk of overdosing on this vitamin . Symptoms of a vitamin B3 overdose include flushing of the skin, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, itching, and diarrhea .

14. Increases stress levels

In this study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, researchers discovered that the energy drink Rockstar, in a 250 cl format, increases the secretion of a hormone associated with stress . In fact, the level of the hormone noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine) in people who drank an energy drink increased by 74%, compared to only 31% in the placebo group.

A particularly difficult weaning

Caffeine is an addictive substance . Additionally, its consumption is associated with anxiety disorders and sleep loss. As a result, quitting caffeinated drinks like Red Bull can be a nightmare. In fact, many people simply cannot function without their daily dose of caffeine. It’s no surprise that caffeine withdrawal is on the verge of being recognized as a mental disorder ! If you decide to quit energy drinks, don’t quit overnight. To avoid any adverse effects, the recommended method is gradual weaning !

WHO warns of dangers of Red Bull

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about the dangers of energy drinks , particularly regarding the health risks to adolescents. According to the WHO, 68% of adolescents consume Red Bull or other energy drinks. To reduce the risks associated with energy drinks, WHO offers the following recommendations to health agencies around the world: – limit the amount of caffeine allowed in all products, – put informative labels on energy drinks and reduce their sale to children and adolescents, – apply industry practice regulations for responsible sale of their products, – train health professionals to detect and treat poisoning due to energy drinks, – control overconsumption of energy drinks in patients with a history of drug addiction, – raise public awareness of the dangers of mixing alcohol and energy drinks, – continue research into the adverse effects of energy drinks on young people.

To be consumed in moderation

As is often the case, everything is in moderation ! Yes, overconsumption of any substance is a potential danger to your body. Therefore, when drinking Red Bull, or any other energy drink, don’t drink it to excess . Remember that caffeine is a drug in its own right, along with the other ingredients found in energy drinks. And like all drugs, use them in moderation and take their dangers into consideration. To reduce the risks associated with energy drink consumption, education is essential. Consumers need to be made aware of the caffeine content of a beverage, or any product. Indeed, without informative labeling, parents cannot know what their children are drinking or educate them about the health risks associated with energy drinks.

Source: TRANSLATED FROM : https://www.comment-economiser.fr/14-dangers-du-red-bull-pour-votre-sante-et-enfants.html