Energy Hype

The slogans for energy drinks promise incredible benefits: athletes excelling, you can party longer, study until dawn and you'll be more productive than your co-workers. The boost in these products comes from caffeine. "It's misleading to call them energy drinks," said a Cape Town GP. "There are no benefits compared to the potential harm. You're simply getting a lot of caffeine and concentrated sugars."

Besides caffeine, most energy drinks contain about 125 calories and 30 grams of carbohydrates, mostly in the form of sugars. The toxic effect of caffeine can include nausea, agitation, seizures and heart palpitations. Health experts reserve their stiffest warnings for products with ephedra, a powerful herbal stimulant. Products containing ephedra are banned by most athletics associations. It's herbal speed and you can become addicted, ending up with serious health problems.

There's little value in flooding the body with stimulants and sugar. Just because it's natural, doesn't mean it's safe. Marijuana and alcohol are both natural, but neither is safe.

Article originally appeared in Capespan Courier April/May 2008 – see www.capespan.com

Written and edited by Mariette Greyling, www.tomar.co.za