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Tag: Energy drinks

  • Coca-Cola plans energy drinks

    Coca-Cola Company (KO.N) on Thursday said it plans to launch two energy drinks under its namesake brand, its latest move to diversify away from sugary sodas.

    Coca-Cola or Coke is a carbonated soft drink manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company.

    According to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, originally intended as a patent medicine, it was invented in the late 19th century by John Pemberton and was bought out by businessman Asa Griggs Candler.

    Candler’s marketing tactics led Coca-Cola to its dominance of the world soft-drink market throughout the 20th century.

    The drink’s name refers to two of its original ingredients: coca leaves, and kola nuts (a source of caffeine).

    Coca-Cola, in an emailed statement, declined to provide a timeline for the launch of the drinks, to be named “Coca-Cola Energy” and “Coca-Cola Energy No Sugar”.

    “The beverages would likely have caffeine from naturally-derived sources and guarana extract,” Coke said.

    Coke is currently in arbitration with energy drinks maker Monster Beverage (MNST.O), in which it is the top shareholder, over the launch of the drinks, which Monster says could violate an agreement between the companies.

    Monster shares fell 10 per cent on Thursday after news of the arbitration with Coke.

    “We have submitted the difference in interpretation to an arbitration panel for resolution, which is the mechanism agreed by the Coca-Cola Company and Monster in the original agreements,” a Coca-Cola spokesperson said.

  • Why energy drinks don’t go with alcohol

    Something that happened two Fridays ago, precisely March 9th , completely changed our lead story for this week. There are stories that can wait but some can not really wait. This one cannot, because of the life-saving message which must be passed on.  On the said date, as we sat down to some refreshing soft drinks and barbecued meat, we observed some men mixing energy drinks and stout at the popular Anchor bar in the Ikeja.

    As the fairly well dressed middle aged men downed their drinks in relish, oblivious that they had gotten our attention, a cardiologist surgeon with the University Teaching Hospital Enugu, Dr Okey Maduebo, opened his mouth in horror and pity.

    “Do these men know the implication of what they are drinking? How can people just dig their own grave?” asked the cardiologist while still staring at the men who did not even take cognisance of the presence of other people in the bar.

    Still aghast, he questioned: “How can anyone mix an alcoholic beverage and energy drink? That combination will place a lot of stress on the heart. They are mixing stimulant [energy drink] with a depressant [alcohol]. The body will basically be fighting itself to act one way or the other.”

    As the three relatively well dressed men continued opening more cans of Red bull drink and stout alcoholic drink, the cardiologist who was now visibly horrified excused himself from our table and briskly walked to the already slightly tipsy men.

    Introducing himself, he asked if he could join them. As far as the men were concerned, they did not see any danger associated with their actions. They were just looking for a quick way to get ‘high’.

    “After a hard day’s job and with the economic down turn in the country, what do you expect us to do? Do you want us to die of hypertension? Stout is not strong enough for me; though I cherish the taste, I still need a stimulant like Red bull or monkey shoulder to get it to the strength I want.” explained one of the men who simply identified himself as Jide.

    Though we have published stories on this page about energy drinks, we are being compelled to feature this story because of the above incident.

    A lot is being said about energy drinks. Most consumers just take the energy drinks for that burst of extra energy without knowing the side effects. Recently, a study published in the journal ‘Drug and Alcohol Dependence’ warned that adolescents and young adults who consume many energy drinks are much more likely to use cocaine and amphetamines later in life.

    According to the study, people who drank large volumes of the highly caffeinated beverages were also much more likely to develop alcoholism than their peers.

    Researchers from the University of Maryland, stated in the journal that “just over half of the 1,099 participants were deemed to be on a ‘persistent trajectory’ indicating they persistently used energy drinks over a four-year period. This significantly increased their risk of developing alcoholism by the age of 25.”

    Participants on the mid to high end of the spectrum studied had a significantly higher risk of moving on to drugs like cocaine and other stimulates.

    Consumers should also take note of some of the common ingredients that are added to these drinks for that quick energy boost.

    • Caffeine: The gold star in energy boosts, caffeine is commonly found in coffee and soft drinks to keep you alert and awake. It has been suggested that a combination of caffeine and taurine provides the mental and physical boost one would hope to obtain after consuming an energy drink.
    • Taurine: This is a type of amino acid commonly found in energy drinks, and enhances neurological function.
    • Vitamin B group. Various Vitamin B groups are commonly found on labels of energy drinks, as most of them enhance muscular, metabolic, nervous, and other bodily functions.

     

    Here are some reasons why you should stay away from energy drinks:

    • Weight gain: Since pre-packaged energy drinks are often filled with high levels of sugar, they can be calorie bombs. Excessive sugar intake, when left unchecked, can lead to obesity, which opens the gateway for many other chronic medical problems. Be sure to treat energy drinks as rare, last-resort, energy-boosting options rather than part of your regular daily diet.
    • Cardiovascular problems: Those who overdose on energy drinks are at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular problems, such as irregular, rapid heartbeat, and increased blood pressure. The worst case scenario would be heart failure.
    • Psychological hindrances: While that occasional energy drink can help enhance alertness, too much may actually decrease your ability to function. Nervousness, irritability and anxiety can increase overtime, as well as the uncomfortable and distracting “jitters” common in that of an over-caffeinated person. Insomnia or disruptive sleep cycles can also develop, which can lead to a lower quality of life over all.
    • Potential metabolic issues: When you drink an energy drink, you are encumbering your body to metabolise and process the overwhelming amount of vitamins, additives and sugars. Your body goes into overdrive and produces stress hormones to help cope with the task at hand. Over time, this inward and outward stress on your body can be more detrimental than helpful as metabolic issues may arise and lead to medical complications.
    • Dependence: Energy drinks can be highly addictive if used excessively on a daily basis. Withdrawal symptoms may be present if someone tries to stop, including headaches and mood swings.

    If you feel like an energy drink is still for you, be sure to utilise these tips when choosing a drink:

    • Try to limit energy drink intake to about 16 ounces, or 500 millilitres per day.
    • Drink plenty of water with an energy drink, as they are not meant to replenish your fluids but to give you a jolt of energy instead.
    • Stay away from energy drinks if you have underlying health conditions, such as pregnancy or cardiovascular problems.
    • Energy drinks are not recommended for young children.
    • Never mix energy drinks with alcohol. Although it is often a popular cocktail concoction, it can place a lot of stress on your body and heart, as you are mixing a stimulant (energy drink) with a depressant (alcohol). Your body will basically be fighting itself to act one way or the other.

    Energy drinks are fine when consumed in moderation. Habitual energy drink users may be better off with one to two cups of good old fashioned coffee as a more natural alternative without the additives and sugar. Seek a doctor’s opinion if you are constantly feeling fatigued or feel you’ve grown a dependency for energy drinks. Medical conditions, such as anaemia, can make a person more tired than usual.

     

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  • Energy drinks leave new father with hole in skull

    Energy drinks leave new father with hole in skull

    The energy drinking habit of an American young man has thrown his family into a heart wrenching battle costing it almost everything.

    Austin had a brain haemorrhage which doctors attributed to his recent excessive energy drink consumption.

    Austin and his wife, Brianna, are simultaneously preparing for the birth of their first child.

    Brianna in a post shared on Endres Photography’s Facebook page, said she received news from her mother-in-law that would leave her whole world “shattered within hours.”

    She said:”Being pregnant is supposed to be one of the most amazing journeys you will ever embark on.

    “You’re creating a new life. You are experiencing unconditional love for someone you have not even met. Austin and I were so excited to meet our little boy. To bring him home; to be a family.

    “I still remember my mother in law waking me up that morning. ‘ Austin had an accident’ she said. All I knew was that my husband was in the hospital. The worst part? I didn’t know why.

    “After a two hour drive to the hospital, I learned that my husband, the father of my child, the person I am so deeply in love with, had had a brain haemorrhage. Why? The doctors concluded (after running his tox screen and ruling out drugs) that this horrible event was due to his recent excessive energy drink consumption (a habit he had built when he started working longer hours and commuting).”

    In a short while, Austin was wheeled into the operating theatre a life-saving procedure.

    “Surgery was already in motion… and after an agonizing five hour wait, we got to see him. But while everyone was focused on the almost unrecognizable face hooked up to all sorts of machines and tubes, all I could see was his parents. I saw the light leave his mother’s eyes as she saw her motionless son lying in that hospital bed.

    “I saw his father break down crying as he held onto his wife. They didn’t know if the life they created together would even wake up. Watching this family- my new family, who I have grown to love and be a part of, be so shattered and broken…that is the worst feeling I have ever felt.”

    The next day, Brianna said her husband was already undergoing his second round of brain surgery.

    “Following this were strokes, seizures, swelling, and more things we weren’t prepared for. There was a moment, sitting by his hospital bed, just praying he would be okay, that I knew I would never give up on him. No matter how messy our life would become. I was going to be by his side through all of it. After two weeks of living in a hospital, wondering if he would survive or be taken from us, we made our way back home. The time had come for me to deliver our baby.

    “I’m not going to lie to anyone, it was so hard. I had planned on Austin being a part of this huge moment. Being by my side. Holding my hand. Being there to cut the cord. Being there to welcome our son into the world. It didn’t feel right… But a beautiful miracle happened as I delivered our son. Austin woke up.”

    The new mom said that for about a week after her husband woke up, she was not even able to see him.

    “I thought about him every day. I cried as I looked at my child who looked just like his daddy,” she wrote. “When the baby was only a week old, I left him with my in-laws. I knew I needed to see Austin.”

    “I needed to tell him that our baby was here. To tell him how much we needed him. Weeks went by. We chased him all over the state as more operations and procedures were ordered. I saw him every chance I got. At a little over two months old, our son finally met his dad. A day I wasn’t sure I would ever see. That was the day that my heart gained some of its happiness back.”

    But although Austin was finally able to return home to his loving family, Brianna said the struggle did not end there.

    “Our life isn’t normal. There are doctors’ visits and hospital trips- so many that I loose count. But we are here. Fighting.

    “I wake up every day to take care of our beautiful little boy and my husband. I prepare the meals, do physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. I help him with personal hygiene. I help him walk. I help him with every aspect of his life. And in between these tasks I take care of our very busy eight month old. It is hard, and I am tired, but we make the most of it. He isn’t the same man I fell in love with, but I still fall further every day.

    “We are fighting to help him recover. To make his life better. One day we will get there. Until then, I will never give up on him. Because love is selfless, and I love him more than life itself.”

  • Can you get addicted to energy drinks?

    Energy drinks are beverages containing ingredients purported to boost energy levels, such as caffeine. The safety of these products depends largely on their individual ingredients and the amount in which they are consumed. Energy drinks that contain caffeine may lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms when drunk regularly. Learning about the different ingredients in energy drinks allows you to make an informed choice about using the products.

    Ingredients

    Energy drinks usually contain a combination of caffeine and other ingredients like herbs or vitamins. Common ingredients include B vitamins, taurine, ginseng and carnitine. Guarana — an herb that contains large amounts of caffeine — may be added to energy drinks in addition to synthetic caffeine. According to the University of California Davis, some energy drinks contain several servings per can, resulting in total caffeine doses as high as 294 milligrams. Many of these products also contain large amounts of sugar, corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

    Side effects

    While safe in small doses, the ingredients in some energy drinks can cause side effects in large amounts. Caffeine can cause nervousness, insomnia, nausea, increased urination and other unpleasant effects. The herb yohimbe, which is found in some energy drinks, contains yohimbine — a prescription medication that can cause dangerously low blood pressure. Other side effects that may be associated with energy drinks include heart arrhythmia, irritability and decreased bone density levels. Unpleasant caffeine-related side effects may be more likely to occur when combining energy drinks with medications, foods or supplements that contain caffeine. The University of California Davis states that pregnant women, kids and adolescents should avoid energy drinks altogether.

    Dependence and withdrawal

    Most people who drink energy drinks do not develop dependence, but drinks that contain large amounts of caffeine can make your body build up tolerance and mild physical dependence when drunk frequently. In addition, attempting to stop drinking caffeinated beverages after prolonged use may lead to withdrawal symptoms that prevent you from quitting. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, caffeine withdrawal is a medically recognised condition associated with symptoms like headache, drowsiness and irritability. In severe instances, it can even cause flu-like symptoms such as vomiting or muscle pain.

    Prevention/Solution

    Limiting your use of energy drinks to one serving per day can help prevent addiction and other side effects. Consult your physician before using energy drinks if you have a medical condition like heart disease or diabetes. Read the label for serving sizes, caffeine content and other information. To prevent unwanted interactions, avoid combining energy drinks with other stimulants like caffeine or pseudoephedrine. If you find it difficult to stop using energy drinks, gradually reducing your caffeine intake over several weeks may make it easier by preventing severe withdrawal symptoms.

  • Labour hails proposed ban of energy drinks’ importation

    Two unions in the food and beverage sector on Friday backed lawmakers’ move to ban importation of energy drinks because of the health implication of such products on the consumers.

    The unions are the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) and the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB).

    They reacted to the recent move by House of Representatives to ban energy drinks.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the House of Representatives on January 22 moved to ban the importation and sale of caffeinated drinks popular known as energy drinks.

    The move followed a bill sponsored by a member of the house, Mr. Yacoob Bush-Alebiosu.

    Experts said the drinks have life threatening effect on blood pressure, functioning of the head and brain while up to 250 ml of the drinks can lead to blood-clotting complications.

    NUFBTE’s President, Mr. Lateef Oyelekan, told NAN in Lagos that the union supported the planned ban on imported energy drink to protect Nigerians from “untimely death.”

    He said that beverage companies in the country were not involved in the production of energy drinks.

    He urged members of the House of Representatives to take steps further to also ban imported beverages, spirits and wines for killing the locally produced ones.

    Oyelekan said that most imported food drinks and beverages had short life span and did not follow the requirements of NAFDAC or other regulatory agencies.