A quarter of a century ago, the first non-alcoholic tonic (energy) drink appeared on the European market. Over the past years, the number of brands of such drinks has exceeded a hundred; they are sold in 169 countries around the world, and sales are increasing by 17% per year, despite the high cost of the product. And against the backdrop of this wild popularity, in one country or another, the sale of tonic drinks is being demanded to be limited, or even banned altogether, although they do not contain alcohol or drugs. Well, they didn't deserve to be banned, but they should be handled with care.

Four elements

Let's start with the fact that tonic drinks are not intended to quench thirst, but to maintain the physical and mental strength of a tired person who does not have the opportunity to rest. This task is as old as time. People have been cheering themselves up for a long time. The most common stimulant was caffeine. Its source in India and the Middle East was coffee; in China, India and Southeast Asia - tea; in America - the yerba mate plant, cocoa beans, guarana leaves and cola nuts. Other tonic plants were also used, including ginseng, eleutherococcus, and Rhodiola rosea. In medieval Japan, sweet energy drinks with ginseng extract were very popular. The first information about them appeared in the 18th century, and their industrial production began in the 20th century. These drinks are still very popular in Southeast Asia.

The appearance of energy drinks in Europe is associated with the name of the Austrian entrepreneur Dieter Mateschitz. In 1984, he became acquainted with Asian energy drinks, appreciated them and modernized them to suit European tastes. In 1987, the first non-alcoholic energy drink, Red Bull Energy Drink, appeared on the European market, carbonated and with less sugar than its Asian prototype. Then the American companies Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola released their brands of non-alcoholic energy drinks, and now there are much more manufacturers. The recipe for drinks varies, but they always include tonic components, amino acids, B vitamins and carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates, glucose and sucrose serve as sources of energy. Glucose in the body breaks down quickly, sucrose - a little longer. Carbohydrates also include a glucose derivative - glucuronolactone, which promotes the removal of metabolic products. Half a liter of energy drink contains about 54 grams of sugars, that is, a quarter cup. Responding to the demands of the times, most manufacturers are producing low-calorie tonic drinks without sugar, with artificial sweeteners, and energy drinks without an energy source have joined the list of such strange products as non-alcoholic beer and decaffeinated coffee.

B vitamins (niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamins B6 and B12) improve cognitive function and stimulate metabolism. By participating in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, they contribute to the release of energy. A separate line on the list is inositol, or vitamin B8, which protects cell membranes from damage, stimulates mental activity, improves concentration and memory, reduces brain fatigue, and helps survive stress. Inositol is recommended to be taken during exams.

The main amino acids in energy drinks are L-carnitine and taurine. Carnitine is synthesized in the body and is involved in lipid (fat) metabolism. In addition, L-carnitine stimulates hematopoiesis, prevents the formation of blood clots, and helps restore strength after heavy physical exertion.

Taurine is a derivative of the amino acid cysteine, its name comes from the Latin “taurus” - ox, because taurine was first isolated from bovine bile extract. This is a very common compound that is synthesized in the body of most mammals and is present there in significant quantities (in humans - 1 g per 1 kg of live weight). Taurine increases physical endurance and stress resistance, participates in the supply of hemoglobin to tissues, promotes the breakdown of fatty acids and the removal of harmful substances.

The main tonic component of the vast majority of energy drinks is the plant alkaloid caffeine. Caffeine gently stimulates the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, helps to concentrate, improves performance and increases endurance. Some energy drinks also contain other tonic ingredients, most often ginseng and eleutherococcus. Guarana extract, the main source of caffeine added to energy drinks, contains, in addition to caffeine, the alkaloids theobromine and theophylline.

The components of energy drinks are selected in such a way as to quickly release energy from sugars and a person’s own fat reserves and accelerate the elimination of metabolic products. Their combination should make drinking the drink as effective, enjoyable and safe as possible. Now we'll talk about safety.

How can

Experts and the media most often pay attention to two components of energy drinks: caffeine and taurine. Taurine in small doses is not dangerous, it is even included in infant formula. An adult can safely consume 3 g of taurine daily, but it is unknown what will happen if more is taken regularly. Opponents of energy drinks especially emphasize this circumstance. However, the amount of taurine contained in the daily norm of energy drinks cannot affect health. However, people usually think about taurine when they get tired of criticizing caffeine.

According to most doctors, caffeine is the only component of non-alcoholic energy drinks whose consumption should be limited. The main complaint against it is unwanted side effects, we wrote about this. An adult can safely consume 400 mg of caffeine per day (this is contained in approximately 200 ml of espresso or about a liter of regular instant coffee).

During pregnancy, caffeine metabolism slows down, so its effects last longer. In addition, caffeine increases the tone of the uterus and constricts the placental vessels, which is harmful to the unborn child. Therefore, pregnant women should reduce their daily caffeine intake to 200 mg.. Even more stringent restrictions exist for children, whose nervous system is very sensitive to the effects of caffeine. Children 4-6 years old are allowed 45 mg of caffeine per day, 7-9 years old - 62.5 mg, children from 10 to 12 years old - 85 mg. The norm for adolescents over 13 years of age is 2.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight. As a cardiovascular stimulant caffeine is definitely harmful for hypertensive patients.

A daily dose of 750-1000 mg leads to the development of caffeine addiction and withdrawal syndrome. It is expressed in the fact that people who have spent 12 to 24 hours without caffeine suffer from headaches, sometimes very severe, and complain of fatigue, drowsiness, bad mood, nausea and vomiting, muscle pain and absent-mindedness.

In case of excessive consumption of energy drinks, caffeine poisoning is possible. In the United States alone, several dozen cases are reported annually. Symptoms of poisoning - nervousness, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, nausea, dizziness, tremors, high blood pressure, tachycardia - are well known, but they are easily confused with other anxiety disorders. Therefore, both the patient and doctors cannot always make the correct diagnosis.

To be fair, we note that not only fans of energy drinks, but also passionate coffee and tea lovers are at risk of caffeine poisoning. To avoid unfortunate consequences, we first need adequate labeling of products, which indicates the amount of caffeine and other ingredients. And in this regard, high-quality energy drinks are safer than coffee, because the can of the drink indicates how much caffeine it contains, but the cup of coffee does not.

In 2007, the National Standard of the Russian Federation “Non-alcoholic tonic drinks” was introduced - GOST R 52844-2007, which defines the requirements for the composition and labeling of the product. Its development was attended by a working group of the non-profit organization “National Consumer Protection Fund”, the Research Institute of Nutrition of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, the All-Russian Research Institute of Brewing, Non-Alcoholic and Wine-Making Industry of the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the largest manufacturers of non-alcoholic tonic drinks, interested in ensuring that there are no complaints about their drinks: Red LLC Bull, PepsiCo Holdings LLC and Coca-Cola Export Corporation. The standard defines non-alcoholic tonic drinks as “non-alcoholic drinks for special purposes containing caffeine and/or other tonic components in quantities sufficient to provide a tonic effect on the human body.” This amount is strictly defined: caffeine should be no less than 151 and no more than 400 mg/l. So Coca-Cola, with its 100-130 mg of caffeine per liter, does not belong to energy (tonic) drinks.

The standard also stipulates that non-alcoholic energy drinks must contain no more than two energizing ingredients, and all ingredients, their concentrations and sources of caffeine must be listed on the labels.

The standard also defines the daily intake of the drink. In Russia, it is limited to 500 ml per day, that is, about 160 mg of caffeine, about the same as in a large mug of strong coffee. The packaging indicates how many cans you can drink per day. Energy drinks should not be sold in liter containers.

There are no restrictions on the sale of non-alcoholic energy drinks in our country; the consumer is protected only by labeling, which clearly indicates who can have these drinks and in what quantity, and who is not allowed. The literate will read, the intelligent will take note.

Some countries have adopted standards for daily caffeine consumption that are similar to those in Russia. In the UK and Canada, pregnant women are not allowed more than 200 mg of caffeine per day from all sources, adults - 400 mg. The set of international food standards of the EU countries, the Codex Alimentarius, does not provide for restrictions on the daily consumption of non-alcoholic energy drinks and the caffeine content in them. In fact, he doesn’t even classify energy drinks as a separate category, but classifies them as carbonated, flavored water-based drinks. In the United States, there are also no restrictions on the content or daily consumption of caffeine. So be careful with drinks produced for the American market by a little-known company: one can can contain up to 500 mg of caffeine, which exceeds the safe daily intake, and sometimes the caffeine concentration is not specified at all.

Who needs it

The national standard defines non-alcoholic tonic (energy) drinks as specialty drinks. Their intended consumers are truck drivers who spend long hours behind the wheel; people who work around the clock; students who, on the last night before an exam, try to learn everything they've been taught all semester. One serving (250 ml, 80 mg of caffeine) eliminates drowsiness, increases attention and reaction speed, and increases endurance. In many situations, an energy drink is more convenient to drink than coffee because it is not hot.
Many studies have been devoted to the effectiveness of energy drinks. They are often funded by manufacturers who are eager to prove that their caffeine solution is as good as any other.

Energy drinks help students by increasing their nighttime performance: they banish drowsiness, improve concentration and memory, and reduce reaction time. A serving of energy drink increases endurance, blood pumping volume and oxygen consumption by 8-10%. This reaction is within the physiological norm, but considering that in modern sports competitions the participants are separated by centimeters or fractions of a second, the effect is noticeable. Until recently, caffeine was on the list of doping substances; the International Olympic Committee removed it just a few years ago.

What's not written on the label

In general, energy drinks have proven to be effective and are readily consumed. And they even think that the more they drink, the better results they will achieve. Now is the time to remember that caffeine consumption must be limited. This task rests entirely with the consumer, since there are no official restrictions on the sale of non-alcoholic energy drinks. However, there are situations when even the most responsible and informed consumer will not avoid an overdose.

Let's imagine a student who has to study all night and also figure something out in the morning during an exam. The daily allowed dose of energy drink will not be enough for him. By one o'clock in the morning he gets tired and drinks the first can of energy drink, let's say the smallest one - 80 mg of caffeine. The drink lasts for two to three hours, and no later than four in the morning our student drinks the second portion, at seven o’clock the third, and before the exam the fourth. Five hundred milliliters, a dose that is safe for daily consumption, is twice as high. For a healthy person, a one-time overdose will pass without a trace. However, we must keep in mind that after the tonic effect comes fatigue, lethargy, and decreased ability to work. This is a natural physiological response to any stimulant, not just caffeine. And the larger the dose of the stimulant, the stronger and longer its inhibitory effect will be.

A person who invigorated himself with energy drinks all night will be completely defeated in the morning. He will need rest, and let him provide it for himself, and not go to celebrate the successful completion of the exam by drinking another jar of tonic. Unfortunately, the labeling does not warn about this, which is a pity, because there are people for whom night vigils are a way of life. They drink energy drinks so they can stay out all night or play computer games. They have no time to sleep during the day - they need to work or study. So they invigorate themselves all day long with strong tea, coffee or an energy drink in order to survive until the evening and sit down at the computer, and then complain of tachycardia and chest pain. Or, half asleep, they cross the road without looking both ways. But are energy drinks to blame?

In 2007, 28-year-old English motorcycle racer Matthew Penbross made a splash around the world. He drank four cans of energy drink daily, despite frequent complaints of chest pain. Energy drinks replaced food for him; due to work, Matthew did not have time to eat. And so, having already undermined his health, this poor fellow, during long, important races, drank eight cans of energy drink, 80 mg of caffeine each, in five hours, and his heart could not stand it - it stopped. The doctors were nearby, and the young man was saved. When he was strong enough to make statements, he filed claims against the labeling. Yes, he read on the can that you can drink no more than a certain amount, but no one warned that an overdose could be fatal.

The jar is small, the label is even smaller. Warnings for all occasions simply won’t fit there, and the likelihood that energy drinks will be released with an accompanying brochure is extremely low. Therefore, we will formulate a few more simple rules that did not fit on the label.

1. An energy drink does not replace food and sleep, it only helps you survive in an emergency, and then you need to eat and rest. You cannot regularly use energy drinks to stay awake at night, otherwise the person will upset the nervous system and develop tachycardia. You need to drink the drink in small portions, 250 ml, no more than once every three to four hours.
2. You shouldn't go to the other extreme, trying to cheer yourself up with a tiny amount of caffeine. If the dose of a stimulant is insufficient, it will not have a tonic effect, but it will certainly have a depressant effect. This old rule is confirmed by recent research conducted at Loughborough University (Human Psychopharmacology, 2006, 21, 299-303). Sleep-deprived participants were offered an "energy drink" containing only 30 mg of caffeine or a decaffeinated placebo of the same flavor. The stimulant could not overcome drowsiness, and people who drank it reacted more slowly and made more mistakes on control tasks than participants in the experiment who received a placebo.

With or without alcohol?

There are two complaints about drinks containing caffeine. We have just discussed one of them, the danger of overdose. The second problem is the combined consumption of energy drinks and alcohol. They dilute alcohol with energy drinks for taste, like other soft drinks, or drink it specifically to drink more alcohol, believing that caffeine reduces the effect of intoxication. Some manufacturers are targeting fans of a fun nightlife, and not crams and professional drivers, as evidenced by the names of their energy drinks with the words “gorilla”, “sex” and “cocaine”.

Energy drinks with added alcohol have even appeared on the Russian market, and in the United States - alcoholic drinks containing caffeine and some other ingredients that are usually found in non-alcoholic tonic drinks (for example, taurine and B vitamins). Both options should be classified as alcoholic drinks, not tonics. Large companies producing non-alcoholic energy drinks do not promote the combined consumption of their products with alcohol.

Caffeine does not speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body. A non-alcoholic energy drink or coffee actually alleviates some of the signs of intoxication: headaches, dry mouth and poor coordination. However, other symptoms, such as changes in gait, deterioration in vision and diction, as well as the ability to drive, are not affected by the addition of energy drink.

According to studies conducted in many countries, students who drink alcoholic mixtures with energy drinks are more likely to have accidents and other unpleasant incidents than those who consume undiluted alcohol.

Experts from Utrecht University, the University of Vienna and the University of the West of England analyzed a large amount of scientific literature on the combined use of caffeine with alcoholic beverages and concluded that energy drinks do not affect the amount of alcohol consumed (“Drug and Alcohol Dependence”, 2009, 99 ( 1-3), 1-10). If we were talking about experiments on mice, when one group is given energy drinks, the other a placebo, and then they watch how much they drink vodka and how they then behave in a maze, one could talk about the effect of the drink on alcohol consumption and behavior.

But with people the situation is different, they themselves decide what to drink, and the choice depends on the personality of the drinker. According to data collected by researchers, people who mix alcohol with energy drinks are choosing a risky lifestyle with booze and drugs. They love thrills, are aggressive, and tend to break traffic rules, so they often end up in all sorts of unpleasant situations. So all the problems are associated with excessive alcohol consumption, and not with energy drinks. From a scientific point of view, there is nothing wrong with mixing non-alcoholic tonic drinks with alcohol, provided, of course, that consumers are clearly aware of the amount of pure alcohol they drink and know their limit.

The intense rhythm of life of an active adult forces him to seek help from various stimulants in order to gain additional strength. Sleep is a pleasant thing, but if it is necessary to complete an urgent task, rest, as a rule, has to be postponed. For some, a contrast shower helps to cheer up, for others, sports, and for others, they cannot do without coffee. Among the modern destructive addictions that help you temporarily collect yourself and feel cheerful is the frequent consumption of energy drinks. Before suppressing fatigue with the help of such a remedy, it would be useful to understand whether there are any benefits and what are the harms of energy drinks?

The emergence of the first energy drinks

It is believed that drinks that are intended to stimulate brain and physical activity are an innovation of the third millennium. However, this is not the case. In Germany, the first energy drink was released back in the twelfth century, but it did not gain much popularity. But in the first half of the 20th century, the Englishman Smith-Klein Beechamon prepared such a drink for a team of athletes, which almost led to their mass poisoning. The strangest thing is that this fact has not reduced the British demand for energy drinks.

In the sixties, the Japanese, using Bichamon technology as a basis, created a new energy drink, which made Japan the most famous supplier of this product. In Europe, the first extensive production of invigorating drinks occurred in the eighties. It was created by the Austrian Dietrich Mateschets and gave the drink the name Red Bull. This energy drink generated huge demand, which became the impetus for the emergence of various analogues similar to it in properties.

How do energy drinks work?

The energy drink has an invigorating effect thanks to caffeine and glucose. In addition, all drinks in this category are carbonated, so they start working faster. For athletes, there are special energy cocktails that have a stimulating effect due to the presence of inositol, vitamins and sugar. After drinking a jar, the effect occurs within 5-10 minutes, and even faster on an empty stomach. The energetic state caused by the energy drink can last up to 4 hours. When the effect of the drink wears off, the person experiences extreme fatigue and an irresistible desire to get enough sleep.

Main components of energy drinks

The benefits and harms of energy drinks depend on the components that are present in them. What is contained in this invigorating drink that forces the body to squeeze out its last strength and actively fight fatigue?

1. Caffeine. It is a widely used mental and physical stimulant. After drinking a cup of black tea or coffee, after 15 minutes you can feel a surge of energy. Caffeine makes the heart beat faster and has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. Constant ingestion of this substance and lack of adequate sleep leads to irritability, depression and insomnia, and disruptions to the cardiovascular system are observed. If you constantly drink your daily dose of caffeine, it ends in abdominal pain, cramps and even death.
2. Taurine and vitamins B and D. The amino acid cysteine ​​taurine, which is released in small quantities in the body, is responsible for concentration, increases endurance and helps to absorb minerals, therefore it is a component of many vitamin complexes for both children and adults. In fact, taurine is simply irreplaceable and is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of many serious diseases. However, its harmlessness has not been proven.
3. Levocarnitine and glucuronolactone. These substances are also necessary. They are found in many products. Carnitine accelerates metabolic processes and has a beneficial effect on reproductive function in men. Glucuronolactone is, in a sense, a sorbent, since it detoxifies and promotes the elimination of harmful substances. Scientists are still finding out whether these components are harmful to humans.
4. Guarana and ginseng. Such components have an invigorating effect like caffeine. They are useful in small quantities, but as part of an energy drink, if consumed regularly, they can cause insomnia and irritability.

Harm from energy drinks

It is a mistake to believe that an invigorating drink adds energy - in fact, it brings even more exhaustion. The maximum harm from such exposure is caused to the nervous and cardiovascular systems. By forcing the adrenal glands to constantly secrete adrenaline, the energy drink artificially stimulates the functioning of all organs and systems. After the rush of energy subsides, the person feels even more exhausted.

1. Energy drinks can cause irreparable harm if you consume more than two cans. A person’s blood sugar rises and blood pressure rises, which can result in a hypertensive crisis. The case when a completely healthy eighteen-year-old athlete drank three cans of energy drink in a row and died right on the field a couple of hours after that gained wide resonance.
2. The effect of energy drinks on the body, when they are consumed together with alcohol in excessive quantities, can all be fatal.
3. Constant ingestion of caffeine into the body when consuming energy drinks harms the water-salt balance, as it causes increased urination and removes salts that a person needs. In addition, caffeine is a narcotic substance, so addiction to it occurs quite quickly, and at one point yesterday’s dose may not be enough.
4. The harm of energy drinks also lies in the fact that they deplete the body’s energy reserves, and do not bring additional strength, as many believe. Therefore, a few hours after drinking a can, a person feels completely “squeezed out.” This is where the addiction comes from: when fatigue sets in at the wrong moment, the need arises to drink another can, and so on in a circle.
5. Long-term and regular use of energy drinks worsens the condition of a person who suffers from liver, kidney, heart diseases, diabetes and nervous disorders;
6. The dyes and sour taste of energy drinks slowly lead to problems with the digestive system. One fine day, after drinking another jar, there is a risk of discovering gastritis or an ulcer.
7. Taurine and glucuronolactone are present in energy drinks in quantities exceeding the daily human need for these components by 250 times. The harmfulness of an excess of these components has not been proven, however, together with caffeine, they lead the body to a state of exhaustion and have a bad effect on the heart.

In addition, there is a group of people for whom drinking energy drinks is contraindicated, among them:

• children under 18 years of age. The harm of energy drinks for teenagers and young children is very significant, since all the systems of their body are not yet strong, and the heart is in a state of growth, so death is possible;
• pregnant and lactating women. It is obvious that for such conditions the use of energy drinks is prohibited. Even after childbirth, when a woman does not feed her baby and feels very tired and lack of sleep, she cannot turn to such invigorating remedies, since the mother is still very weak. And talking about how harmful energy drinks are to a fetus or a breastfed child is downright scary.
• people with serious illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, gastritis or stomach ulcers, chronic depression, etc.

In addition, if a person constantly feels tired, then this is not normal. Before resorting to invigorating drugs, you need to undergo an examination and only then decide whether it is worth drinking energy drinks at all and whether this will cause even more harm to the body.

Is there any benefit

Despite the harm, energy drinks are in good demand among the population. If such statistics are present, then, apparently, there are benefits from this invigorating drink. What is the use of using it anyway? There are several options here:

• increased performance. If you need to get ready and finish an important task or get to your destination, but you no longer have the strength, their benefits are obvious. Athletes choose vitamin-carbohydrate drinks - these are more harmless energy drinks, while students prefer caffeine-containing ones during sessions;
• convenience. If a cup of coffee in transport is inconvenient, then a tin of energy drink is very appropriate;
• supply of vitamins to the body. Glucose, which is contained in energy drinks, improves brain function.

However, all these points are relevant if you do not turn the use of energy drinks into a daily necessity. As they say, everything is good in moderation.

Rules for the use of energy drinks

• study the composition of the energy drink and make sure that there is no allergy to any of the components;

• do not drink more than two cans or 500 ml of invigorating drink per day;
• get a good night's sleep when the energy drink wears off;
• do not drink one can after another, but take a break;
• for athletes it is better to drink an energy drink before training, and after it you need to give yourself a rest;
• Do not combine energy drinks with taking medications, drinking coffee or tea;
• Do not mix energy drinks with alcohol;
• Do not drink energy drinks every day or during illness.

Symptoms of an overdose of invigorating drinks

The harm that energy drinks have on the human body can result in poisoning. If you notice symptoms of an overdose of energy drinks, you should immediately call an ambulance and try to induce vomiting in the victim (if there is none). Leaving a person alone in such a situation is highly discouraged. In such cases, in a medical facility, a gastric lavage is performed and a drip is placed in order to prevent the absorption of substances into the blood as soon as possible. Overdose symptoms:

• redness of the skin;
• increased blood pressure;
• disorientation and tremors;
• excessive sweating;
• insomnia;
• aggression towards others and excessive irritability;
• recurring diarrhea;
• hallucinations and lethargy;
• tachycardia;
• dry lips, increased urination, which indicates dehydration;
• fainting.

Finally, I would like to say that not only energy drinks increase productivity and restore vigor. Sometimes, in order to feel full of energy, it is enough to change your diet, eat more greens and fruits, exercise and drink enough water. It is these factors that contribute to the improvement of the general condition. It is better to draw strength from an energy drink only when there is an urgent need. In situations where you can do without it, you should choose a different path, taking into account how the energy drink affects the body.

Energy drinks are a relatively recent invention of mankind. Although their components have been used as invigorating agents since centuries before the invention of aluminum cans. It seems that the invention of energy tonics is a panacea for students during the session, workers on deadline days, fitnessists going for a record, tired drivers and nightclub visitors and everyone who is very tired, but must continue to be in a cheerful state of mind and body. Drink a jar - and you no longer nod off, but can continue again and again...

Manufacturers claim that their drinks bring only benefits and produce more and more new varieties. If everything is so rosy, why did legislators try to issue a law limiting the distribution of the miracle drink? Let's figure it out.

Caffeine. All energy drinks without exception contain it. Acts as a stimulant: 100 mg of caffeine stimulates mental activity, 238 mg increases cardiovascular endurance. To get this effect, you need to drink at least three cans, but energy drink manufacturers recommend drinking no more than 1-2 cans per day.

Taurine. One jar on average contains from 400 to 1000 mg of taurine. This is an amino acid that accumulates in muscle tissue. It is believed that it improves the functioning of the heart muscle. However, recently, opinions have emerged among doctors that taurine has no effect on the human body at all.

Carnitine. It is a component of human cells that promotes the rapid oxidation of fatty acids. Carnitine increases metabolism and reduces muscle fatigue.

Guarana and ginseng. Medicinal plants with tonic properties. Guarana leaves are used in medicine: they remove lactic acid from muscle tissue, reducing pain during physical activity, prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis and cleanse the liver. Doctors, however, believe that the stimulating properties attributed to guarana and ginseng have not been confirmed by research.

B vitamins. Necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system and the brain in particular. The body can feel their deficiency, but increasing the dose will not improve your productivity, mental abilities or anything else, as energy drink manufacturers try to convince you.

Melatonin. Contained in the body and is responsible for the daily rhythm of a person.

Matein. A substance that is part of the South American green tea mate. Evergreen tree extract Ilex Paraguarensis helps cope with hunger and promotes weight loss.

Facts "Pro"

— If you just need to cheer yourself up or activate your brain, energy drinks are great for these purposes.

- You can find a drink that suits your needs. Energy tonics are divided into groups for people with different needs: some contain more caffeine, others contain vitamins and carbohydrates. “Coffee” drinks are suitable for inveterate workaholics and students who work or study at night, and “vitamin-carbohydrate” drinks are suitable for active people who prefer to spend their free time in the gym.

— Energy drinks contain a complex of vitamins and glucose. There is no need to talk about the benefits of vitamins. Glucose is quickly absorbed into the blood, is included in oxidative processes and delivers energy to the muscles, brain and other vital organs.

— The effect of drinking coffee lasts 1-2 hours, from energy drinks - 3-4. In addition, almost all energy drinks are carbonated, which speeds up their impact - this is the third difference from coffee.

— The packaging allows you to consume energy drinks in any situation (dance floor, car), which is not always possible with coffee or tea.

Facts against:

— Drinks can be consumed in strictly dosed quantities. Maximum - 2 cans per day. Drinking more than normal may result in a significant increase in blood pressure or blood sugar levels.

— In France, Denmark and Norway, “energy drinks” are prohibited for sale in grocery stores; they are sold only in pharmacies, as they are considered a medicine. And recently, Swedish authorities began investigating the deaths of three people allegedly caused by drinking energy drinks.

— The vitamins contained in energy tonics cannot replace a multivitamin complex.

— People with blood pressure or heart problems should avoid these drinks.

— The opinion that tonic saturates with energy is absolutely unjustified. The contents of the jar, like a key, open the door to the body's internal reserves. In other words, the jar does not give energy, it sucks it out of you. A person uses his own resources, or, more simply, borrows them from himself. The debt, of course, sooner or later has to be repaid, paying with fatigue, insomnia, irritability and depression.

— Energy drinks, like a drink containing sugar and caffeine, are unsafe for a young body.

— Many energy drinks contain large amounts of vitamin B, which can cause a rapid heartbeat and trembling in the arms and legs.

— Fitness enthusiasts should remember that caffeine is a good diuretic. This means that you cannot drink the drink after a workout, during which we lose water.

— In case of overdose, side effects are possible: tachycardia, psychomotor agitation, nervousness, depression.

— Tonics contain taurine and glucuronolactone. The taurine content is several times higher than in all other products; the amount of glucuronolactone contained in two jars can be almost 500 times (!) the daily dose of this substance. How these components work in such doses in our body is unknown even to scientists. It is unclear how they interact with caffeine. That is why experts from the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Union officially state that the safety of using taurine and glucuronolactone in such doses has not been established and further studies are required.

As you can see, there are more arguments against than arguments for. And yet, it is quite possible that there may come a time in your life (hopefully one-time) when you feel the need to drink a can of energy drink. In this case, read the rules for using tonics to help you avoid harming your beloved body.

Rules of use

— Do not exceed the daily dose of caffeine - this is about two cans of the average energy drink. Taking more than two cans in a row can be harmful to your health: the body’s resources have already been exhausted, and therefore, instead of the desired effect, you will experience side effects.

— After the effect of the energy drink ends, the body needs rest to restore resources.

— Do not drink drinks after exercise - both increase blood pressure.

— Drinks should absolutely not be consumed by pregnant women, children and adolescents, the elderly, those with hypertension, diseases of the cardiovascular system, glaucoma, sleep disorders, increased excitability and sensitivity to caffeine.

Caffeine is removed from the blood after 3-5 hours, and even then by half. Therefore, you cannot mix tonics and other caffeine-containing drinks (coffee, tea) during this time - you may greatly exceed the permissible dose.

— Many drinks are very high in calories. If you drink energy drinks at the gym, drink them only before your workout. If your plans are only to restore strength, but you do not intend to lose weight, you can use such tonics both before and after classes.

— You cannot mix tonics with alcohol (as, for example, visitors to nightclubs often do). Caffeine increases blood pressure, and when combined with alcohol, its effect is greatly enhanced. As a result, a person can easily experience a hypertensive crisis.

Health and medical experts say that tonics are nothing more than fortified coffee substitutes, only more dangerous to health. And fruit juices and glucose, contained in many foods, can lift our spirit to the same heights. So it’s up to you to decide whether to use tonics or not. But now we have a reason to drink a cup of coffee with your favorite chocolate (instead of tonic) without remorse!

paired with 4-5 mugs of brewed coffee - somewhere from 9 am to 13-14 pm

Depends on the pills. Each drug has a different absorption time in the gastrointestinal tract. Plus it depends on individual characteristics, on the amount of food in the stomach..
Some almost immediately, within 10-20 minutes, others within several hours.
If absorption is carried out through the oral mucosa, the effect occurs much faster. Almost like an intramuscular injection. But this does not apply to all drugs. A certain number of drugs cannot be chewed. They should dissolve gradually in the intestines. There, in the instructions it usually says

15-25 minutes, depending on what kind of painkillers and what it should relieve pain

what if never again?!

Go to bed with your wife and daughter. He makes dates here!

what's the point? you won't force love

Around the 14th day of the menstrual cycle, the egg matures and is ready for fertilization. It is excreted from the ovary and enters the fallopian tube, where it remains viable for up to 24 hours; if fertilization does not occur, the egg dies and is released with uterine secretions during the next menstruation.

During orgasm, a man expels 200 to 400 million sperm into a woman's vagina. A large amount of sperm flows back, some of the sperm that are inside the female body does not reach the target, but some of them enter the uterine cavity through the cervix and from there into one of the fallopian tubes. Here sperm can remain viable within 48 hours.

As the fertilized egg moves down the fallopian tube, it begins to divide into more and more cells.

Around the 4th day After fertilization, the egg reaches the uterine cavity. By this time it is a ball of liquid. It is still very small and indistinguishable, but already contains about 100 cells. In the following days, the egg moves inside the uterus.

At the end of the 3rd week the fertilized egg begins to implant itself into the soft wall of the uterus. This is called implantation. Once the egg is securely attached to the wall, the process of conception is complete.

In 2014, the World Health Organization labeled energy drinks a "public health hazard" after finding that consumption of these drinks was on the rise. An infographic created by Personalise.co.uk shows exactly what happens to the body in the 24 hours after drinking an energy drink.

The amount of caffeine in a can or bottle of energy drink can range from 80 mg to 500 mg

Energy drinks are marketed as drinks that enhance mental and physical performance. Caffeine is the most common stimulant in these drinks, but some brands contain other plant-based stimulants such as guarana and ginseng.

According to the US Division of Abuse and Mental Health Services, the amount of caffeine in a can or bottle of energy drink can range from 80 mg to 500 mg. For comparison, one 150 ml cup of coffee contains approximately 100 mg of caffeine.

Like soda, energy drinks are also high in sugar. A 250ml can of Red Bull, for example, contains approximately 27.5g of sugar.

Numerous studies have shown that energy drinks may have negative health effects. In 2013, for example, a study found that energy drinks altered heart function in healthy adults, and another study linked consumption of these drinks to other unhealthy habits, such as smoking.

But what exactly do energy drinks do to the body after we drink them?

According to the infographic, caffeine enters the bloodstream within 10 minutes of drinking an energy drink, causing an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.

During the next 15-45 minutes, caffeine levels in the blood peak. As a result of this, the person will feel more alert and concentrated.

“Caffeine is an insidious drug that temporarily blocks the mechanisms of adenosine (a substance involved in how tired we feel), allowing “feel good” molecules like dopamine to be released more easily. You feel more alert, you feel better,” says researcher Dr. Stuart Farrimond.

All the caffeine is absorbed within 30-50 minutes of drinking the energy drink, and the liver responds by increasing blood sugar levels.

Within an hour, the effects of caffeine begin to wear off and a drop in sugar levels may occur. Energy levels will begin to decrease and fatigue may occur.

It takes the body approximately 5-6 hours to eliminate 50% of the amount of caffeine in the blood (half-life). In women taking contraceptive medications, this half-life is doubled. The body completely removes caffeine from the blood within 12 hours, although this depends on individual factors.

“Pregnancy, liver damage, and other medications can also slow the elimination of caffeine from the body,” says Dr. Farrimond. – It is important to note that children and adolescents have a significantly longer half-life, meaning caffeine remains in their blood for longer periods of time and at higher levels than in adults. Therefore, caffeinated drinks may cause behavioral and anxiety problems in children.”

Caffeine withdrawal syndrome may occur 12-24 hours after consumption

The infographic states that people who regularly drink energy drinks may experience caffeine withdrawal 12-24 hours after consumption, which includes symptoms such as headache, irritability and constipation.

Dr. Farrimod explained that withdrawal symptoms can last up to 9 days and their severity depends on the amount of caffeine consumed.

In people who regularly drink energy drinks, the body adapts to a regular supply of caffeine within 7-12 days. A person will not experience the effects of drinks if his body gets used to them

While the information presented in this infographic is not new, it helps shed light on why so many studies have pointed to the health effects of energy drinks.

However, energy drink consumption is on the rise. In the US, their sales grew by 60% between 2008 and 2012.

Energy drinks are especially popular among children and teenagers. Last year, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study was reported that found that 73% of children consume caffeine daily, most of it in the form of energy drinks and coffee.