Energy drinks: ingredients and effects of them

For the first time, emerging of Energy drinks was in Europe and Asia in the 1960s to reply the consumer demand for a dietary supplement that would result in increased energy. Energy drinks are referring to drinks which increase mental functionality and athletic performance. In recent years, consumption of Energy drinks significantly increased in teenagers and young (the target of these products). There are some doubts about benefits and adverse effects of Energy drinks consumption. In this review, Energy drinks ingredients and physiological effects of them reviewed in order to clarifying of benefits or probably adverse health effects of these products. This research has been done base on electronically research. Articles, books and reports were gathered from electronic resources (like Web of knowledge) and after reading and analysis of them, the review was prepared. Besides carbonated water and preservatives, most of Energy drinks contains caffeine, sweeteners (with or without calorie), herbal extracts (examples: Guarana, Yerba Mate, Panax Ginseng), B-vitamins group, amino acids (taurine and L-carnetine). Addition to legal ingredients, Energy drinks may contain illegal substances (ex. enhancers sexual power of men). The main goal of producing of these products is increasing in physical endurance, concentration ability, and improving of emotional sensation. Basically, in some researches, these effects are proved, because of caffeine existence in Energy drinks. Caffeine content in ordinary Energy drinks is from 50 mg to alarming level (500 mg in a can or bottle) and in high-caffeinated is higher than it. Apart from caffeine, each of the ingredients in Energy drinks has its own effects and combination of these effects determine the final effects. Although, there are researches which investigated individuals effects of ingredients or herbal extracts, but investigations of effects of different Energy drinks are scare. In these reports, usage benefits of Energy drinks in young people and adverse effects in ill individual, adults, and pregnant women are mentioned. Energy drinks must be used with caution. Although, these products may have some beneficial like preparing instant energy, fatigue lowering and making awareness, but they can lead to serious problems. These problems are dangerous in ill individuals, especially in individuals with psychological, cardiovascular, cancerous, and renal diseases. Besides ill individuals, Energy drinks are not recommended for children, adults and pregnant women.