The same pick-me-up that powers you through an afternoon meeting could be setting your body up for some serious health problems. In fact, a brand new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration outlines a drastic climb in energy-drink-related emergency room visits. Unfortunately, lots of us are still drinking them: Energy drink bottles and shots line grocery store shelves across the country, and these beverages have become a billion-dollar industry in the United States. But research outling the major health implications of energy brews is starting to catch up. Let these five reported risks serve as a wake-up call: Hospital visits. A laundry list of symptoms, from shakiness to seizures, could send an energy drink enthusiast to the hospital. In fact, the number of ER visits involving the drinks doubled from 10,000 in 2007 to more than 20,000 in 2011, according to the new report. Those most likely to be affected? People in the 18- to 39-year-old age range. But older people are also reaching for energy drinks and shots: ER visits for the 40-plus age group jumped 279% between 2007 and 2011. High blood pressure. Routinely downing two energy drinks a day can yield dangerously high blood pressure, according to research out of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Doctors at the hospital concluded that 500 mL of caffeinated energy drinks a day (around two cans) can trigger a faster heartbeat and a 10-point jump in systolic blood pressure. It might not seem like much, but if you’re one of the 26 million people in the US living with heart disease, this increase could exacerbate the problem. More from Prevention: The 25 Best Foods For Your Heart Heart attacks. Even sugar-free energy drinks pose a heart attack threat, according to a 2010 study published in the American Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that just one drink caused blood vessels to narrow, even among healthy young adults. The possible culprit is glucuronolactone, a common sweetener in sugar-free energy drinks. Another potential ticker terror? Bisphenol A (BPA), the chemical used to line most metal drink cans, has also been shown to trigger abnormal heart rhythms in lab tests. Headaches. They’re one of the most common side effects among energy drink consumers, according to research published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. An analysis in Nutritional Journal found that more than 20% of energy drink users report headaches, with about 30% also suffering from “jolt-and-crash” episodes—sudden bursts of energy, followed by resounding thuds. Another 20% experienced heart palpitations. Drunk driving. Mixing energy drinks with alcohol creates an entirely new set of problems, including the inability to gauge how drunk you really are. In one study, bar patrons who consumed an alcohol–energy drink combo were three times more likely to leave the bar inebriated, and four times more likely to try to drive home. More from Prevention: 11 Fast Fixes For Instant Energy Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team!
