Just how safe it is to drink energy drinks? Earlier it was the aerated drinks, and when people came to know about its dangers, now the ploy is to lure the gullible by offering an assortment of health drinks. They market them like magic potions giving instant energy and health benefits. Media professionals are invited and pampered at the time of launch and they in turn sing hosannas for these multinationals.

The recent entrant into the fray was an energized caffeine drink. When the makers pronounced its ingredients it was apparent that there was no need for a biochemist to formulate this drink, every guy off the street could make it. The energy ingredients of the product available in the market are ginseng, B-vitamins and, guarana. The energy drink manufacturers come up with names for these energy boosters that send even the scientists crazy. The marketing ploy worked, and in America alone the sales went up to a great high for this octane elixir. This had made them not stray from the recipe that launched decades ago.

Its ingredients include sugar, caffeine, guarana, ginseng and taurine. A simple analysis of the content would reveal what these energy boosters supply to the body in spite of the marketing pitch. Does it energize you or sharpen your mind, lets have a look. The first ingredient in the energy boosting drink is the caffeine found in coffee. If you are a regular coffee drinker, then an addition of caffeine in this drink which is equivalent to the caffeine in two 8 ounce coffee cups can cause nausea, sleeplessness and headaches. A research team from Finland says that if you are a person with high blood pressure, three cups of coffee can spike the BP up to 14 points.

Next is the glucose which measures up to 50 to 60 gms. Sucrose in energy drinks is a combination of fructose and glucose. Our body functions on glucose and supplementing glucose can definitely boost energy. But the sleep deprived fatigue cannot be compensated by anything. The addition of glucose can increase the blood sugar level and insulin which is not commendable.

Guarana, a South American shrub whose seed contains 4 to 5 percent caffeine whereas the actual coffee bean contains only up to 1 to 2 percent in comparison. This as such is not harmful but can cause problems if consumed profusely.

Ginseng is an extract from the root of the ginseng plant. Though it has little effect on physical performance, some say it boosts brain power. Small amounts are deemed to be safe.

Taurine, the most common amino acid in your brain acts as a neurotransmitter. It is a chemical messenger and facilitates the communication of cells with one another. This is also fine in small doses but can cause harm if taken in large doses. But its energy boosting element is still not proven. So next time you take this energy drink think that you have yielded to the ploy employed by the super brains of marketing professionals.

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