Red bull, Its ingredients and effects

Red bull, Its ingredients and effects

Energy drinks are beverages having caffeine or other CNS stimulants as their major active ingredient, causing stimulation of both mind and body. Energy drinks are getting popular in masses across the globe. People really consider them an immediate source of energy and their consumption is getting increased with each passing day. At this moment red bull is the most popular energy drink in the world. Health professionals and even the common people are having confusion about the affects of red bull as they think that it leaves a bad impact on the health. The main reason for these reported side effects are due to the ingredients of red bull which are Caffeine, taurine and glucoronolactone.

 Company, marketing red bull has denied any side effect, however there are some as mentioned by the researchers. Although red bull doesn’t seem to have major side effects as when used moderately, but health professionals have warned the people about its effect on our heart. It can cause serious cardiovascular problems, particularly for those who are engaged in some severe physical activity. Caffeine as a CNS stimulant can cause a raise in the blood pressure. This high blood pressure cause by caffeine can lead a person to cardiac arrhythmias which can be fatal. A research has shown that mixing alcohol with energy drinks like red Bull can lead to apnea (shortness of breath), tachycardia and ultimately cardiovascular shock. However, the side effects appear when only when there is an excess use of Red Bull.

 Besides regular Red Bull, company is also marketing sugar-free red Bull by claiming that it enhances the performance and boosts the energy levels in a very short time. In sugar-free red bull sugar is replaced by aspartame. Despite the claims of the company about the drink’s ability to enhance the energy levels and mental alertness, it still comes under scrutiny. The mechanism involves the effect of caffeine and taurine on the blood by making it viscous, so making the patient prone to the blood clotting and causing a threat of heart attack. Moreover, taurine also dilates the blood vessels near the heart, thus an excessive flow of blood towards the heart may result in some severe sort of cardiovascular complication.

Besides, cardiovascular complications other problems are also reported. Another outcome being noticed by the use of red bull is anxiety. Caffeine when used in excess can cause anxiety. As a can of red bull has 80 mg of caffeine, so consumption of two to three cans may result in anxiety in the consumer. Weight gain is another concern about health in people who are using red bull on regular basis. An 8.3 ounce of red bull has 27 grams of sugar and 110 calories, so it is not recommended to use red bull on regular basis. This weight gain in people can cause heart problems, obesity etc.

 As caffeine is a strong CNS stimulant, so it causes a mental and physical alertness in the people. It also enhances mental focus and concentration but only when consumed in optimum amount. It has been reported that caffeine intake at a time of sleep has a risk of causing insomnia. It is alarming in the case of people who have caffeine sensitivity. Thus red bull must be avoided at the time of sleep to avoid the chance of insomnia due to its CNS stimulant effect on our brain. Amount of red bull in an 8.3 ounce can is more than in a regular bottle of a carbonated beverage. So remember risk is always there.

Added sugar like sucrose and glucose in red bull causes dental decay. Besides, regular use of red bull has a risk of dependence due to the presence of caffeine in it. People can find it hard to focus without the intake of red bull in their body . Another noticeable side effect of red bull is osteoporosis because caffeine present in red bull causes bones to lose its calcium and resulting in weaker bones. Many countries in the world have ordered The company to cut the amount of caffeine in the red bull as it is affected the young generation of their countries. Canada has reported three deaths caused by red bull. So,  excessive use of red bull must be avoided to prevent the body from any serious damage.