Energy drinks are beverages containing stimulant drugs marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation, usually through high amounts of sugar and caffeine. Other common chemicals are taurine, inositol, Vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12, supposed to provide extra energy. This paper will identify structures, energy production reasons, health implications and propose an energy drink ban.
Caffeine has formula C8H10N4O2, as seen below left.
Caffeine is fat, water soluble: it is absorbed into the blood, flowing to the brain. Adenosine is a by-product of important neural activity, latching onto brain cell receptors, producing a feeling of tiredness to make humans sleep, regulating natural stimulants. Caffeine and adenosine are chemically similar: …show more content…
An overabundance of glucose results in the body utilising the excess energy as storage fat. However, fructose is a dangerous compound: fructose can only be metabolised infrequently in the liver. Fructose does not cause the production of insulin, which regulates energy intake, storage and usage. Excessive fructose can produce more fat than glucose, alarming as fructose is now being consumed in record high amounts (Kimberly Ancira, 2013). Fructose has a pentagonal shape, allowing it different properties from glucose (functional groups match, see appendix 1).
Taurine naturally regulates water and mineral content within the blood and supports neurological improvement and development (Katherine Zeratsky, 2015). Muscles which are strengthened by its presence: athletic performance is increased when taurine levels are increased. Taurine has negative effects on neurological pathways, counteracted by caffeine. The common daily intake of taurine is around 58 mg per day at most: one Red Bull has 2000 mg. The safe dosage of taurine per day should be under 3000 mg: two Red Bulls would exceed this dosage. The extended effects of excess use are unknown (Yolanda Smith, …show more content…
A typical energy drink has more than 50 g per 500 mL can, which is above the maximum for an adult male, and too high for a teenager (Kris Gunnars, 2013). Although the increased effects of sugar can be significant over time, caffeine can become addictive, and create long-term effects like insomnia, headaches and increased heart rate (Julida Bodeeb, 2014). In moderation caffeine can provide an energy boost and sugar can provide sweetness: however, the amounts in energy drinks are way too high, with the side-effects of this outweighing the potential benefits. The added chemicals within these energy drinks provide negligible benefit at best in the case of B vitamins or addiction and weight gain at worst. The monster consequences outweigh the
Caffeine has formula C8H10N4O2, as seen below left.
Caffeine is fat, water soluble: it is absorbed into the blood, flowing to the brain. Adenosine is a by-product of important neural activity, latching onto brain cell receptors, producing a feeling of tiredness to make humans sleep, regulating natural stimulants. Caffeine and adenosine are chemically similar: …show more content…
An overabundance of glucose results in the body utilising the excess energy as storage fat. However, fructose is a dangerous compound: fructose can only be metabolised infrequently in the liver. Fructose does not cause the production of insulin, which regulates energy intake, storage and usage. Excessive fructose can produce more fat than glucose, alarming as fructose is now being consumed in record high amounts (Kimberly Ancira, 2013). Fructose has a pentagonal shape, allowing it different properties from glucose (functional groups match, see appendix 1).
Taurine naturally regulates water and mineral content within the blood and supports neurological improvement and development (Katherine Zeratsky, 2015). Muscles which are strengthened by its presence: athletic performance is increased when taurine levels are increased. Taurine has negative effects on neurological pathways, counteracted by caffeine. The common daily intake of taurine is around 58 mg per day at most: one Red Bull has 2000 mg. The safe dosage of taurine per day should be under 3000 mg: two Red Bulls would exceed this dosage. The extended effects of excess use are unknown (Yolanda Smith, …show more content…
A typical energy drink has more than 50 g per 500 mL can, which is above the maximum for an adult male, and too high for a teenager (Kris Gunnars, 2013). Although the increased effects of sugar can be significant over time, caffeine can become addictive, and create long-term effects like insomnia, headaches and increased heart rate (Julida Bodeeb, 2014). In moderation caffeine can provide an energy boost and sugar can provide sweetness: however, the amounts in energy drinks are way too high, with the side-effects of this outweighing the potential benefits. The added chemicals within these energy drinks provide negligible benefit at best in the case of B vitamins or addiction and weight gain at worst. The monster consequences outweigh the