Well, it is time to break the tab and expose some truth like a cup without the caffeine crash itself and bust some myths along with some hard facts by sipping the taste.
What does an Energy Drink contain?
A regular energy drink is not only a joy of carbon. It usually is a mixture of:
Surely there is nothing wrong with moderation, but is there any? However, as a habitual drink, particularly among adolescents, athletes, or people who get insufficient sleep, this duo exerts pressure on the body, particularly the kidneys. This brings us to one major concern: energy drinks side effects kidney issues, are becoming increasingly common among such groups.
What are Kidneys and what do they do?
Your kidneys are two full-time multitaskers. They:
Let us then suppose these two bean-shaped superheroes to be dosed daily with an overdose of a chemical. Not cool! Right?
Caffeine Overload makes the Kidneys Unhappy
Caffeine is a diuretic, which implies that it raises the level of urine. You might think that having more bathroom visits is a little price to pay for energy; however, in the long term:
The energy drinks side effects kidney specialists fear most? Chronic dehydration, over-caffeination, and sugar overload that lead to long-term damage. The National Kidney Foundation has stated that sustained dehydration is one of the major causes of kidney damage. And that can be intensified with the usage of excessive caffeine and sugar.
Associated Myths
Myth 1: It is Okay to Have Coffee, and Energy Drinks are Just Like Coffee.
Fact: Nope. Coffee is not an Energy drink.
Caffeine? It exists in coffee, but energy drinks take the concept an extra step by combining caffeine with guarana, which is a plant derivative with even more caffeine in it. This two-fold blow may strike:
Energy drinks side effects go well beyond what your average espresso shot can do—these cans are like rocket fuel, and your kidneys aren’t built to be the engine.
Myth 2: “But Sugar-Free Energy Drinks Are Safe, aren't They?”
Fact: No! Energy Drinks are loaded with artificial sweeteners, even the Sugar-free ones.
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium lower the calories, but according to some studies, they can make changes in the kidney filtration process in the long term, particularly in individuals already predisposed to kidney disease or diabetes.
Not only that, but also, numerous sugar-free energy drinks contain synthetic stimulants, preservatives, and excess sodium, which is inimical to the kidneys. This makes the energy drinks side effects kidneys impact even sneakier, especially for people who believe “sugar-free” equals “safe.”
What Does Research Say?
A study conducted in 2015 and published in the International Journal of Health Sciences observed that the long-term effect of energy drinks consumption in rats would cause renal damage, oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney tissues.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) presents after binges of energy drinks, with case reports of humans, whereas it still remains under development.
In one such case reported in Clinical Kidney Journal, a young healthy male developed kidney failure after consuming 6 cans of it per day over the two weeks. And yes—you guessed it, classic energy drinks side effects at play.
Are You At Risk?
You may wish to avoid and severely restrain the consumption of energy drinks in case you:
This risk profile is heavily affected by energy drinks side effects kidney specialists often see, like rapid dehydration, sudden spikes in blood pressure, and kidney filtration overload.
What Do Doctors do?
A general opinion given by the kidney specialists (nephrologists) is that the use of energy drinks ought to be rare rather than becoming habitual. When you find yourself taking them on a daily basis just to be able to operate, then it is high time to rethink your lifestyle. Rather than that bogus buzz, choose:
The Nephrology Department at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital is particularly aware of sensitising people on diet and lifestyle preferences that have a bearing on kidney health, such as issues surrounding excessive consumption of energy drinks side effects. Their team of nephrologists, dieticians and clinical researchers are able to regularly:
Whether you are worried about your kidney health or your habits in energy drinks, their team can assist you to reset, recharge, and recover, and not crash.
Energy drinks side effects may provide a temporary spike in productivity, but it is not worth the organ damage in the long run, not least the energy drinks side effects on kidney damage. Therefore, the next time you get your hands on that glitzy can selling its never-ending energy, you should question:
Is it an energy transaction? Or a risky piece of business? Your kidneys already work 24/7--perhaps allow them to take a few sips of water and relax, right? Hence, for proper care and treatment, only consult the specialists and book an appointment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital today.