There are so many concerns about their consumption that in several countries the relevant ministries have had to provide information that reassures consumers. We are talking about energy drinks, the energy drinks that exert an ever stronger fascination on our children. Can we be confident about their quality? We try to find out more thanks to the advice of nutrition experts.
The ingredients of energy drink have been evaluated by ours authority competent health professionals. They expressed themselves favorably the Superior Health Council since 1998 and the Ministry of Health. The marketing of energy drinks itself is subordinated to one procedure of notification to the Ministry of Health.
Ma what they contain these drinks energizing? We asked the dr. Giuseppe Geraci, nutrition biologist in Messina.
Energy drink: watch out for caffeine!
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These popular drinks generally contain: water, sugar, carbon dioxide, taurina, glucuronolattone (a natural metabolite), vitamins (niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12) and a fair amount of caffeine and various aromas.
Concentration maximum of caffeine allowed in energy drinks marketed in Italy it is equal to 320 mg/l and it clearly is indicated on the label, together with the indication “High caffeine content”. The amount of caffeine present in a can of energy drink of 250 ml it is similar to that contained in a cup of coffee.
“A cup of Italian coffee can contain from 50 to 120 mg of caffeine, a 250ml can of energy drink may contain some up to 80. But the use of drinks which contain caffeine (such as tea, coffee, cola) it is not recommended during physical activity, because the risk of dehydration increases due to power diuretic of the caffeine”,
underlines the dr. Geraci. For some years now, moreover, it has been born a new species of energy drink, the hardcore energy drink, which in a normal 250 ml can have triple the amount of caffeine and taurine.
The side effects of energy drinks
Energy drinks are not at all new, have been marketed for more than 30 years (for over 20 in Italy) and are consumed safely in addition 160 countries in the world. IS essential however, knowing in depth the ingredients main that contain to make one conscious use.
“Let’s focus on two ingredients, the glucuronolattone and the taurine. Glucuronolactone is a carbohydrate here I’m of course in man, it is also found in many vegetable resins, in wheat and in Red wine. Has been established its role in maintaining the memory and concentration, like a antidepressant or one stimulating. In some market glucuronolactone is present in a quantity greater (600 mg) of that daily maximum recommended (2.4 mg), because it comes added to the drink for fight fatigue and provide a sense of Welfare, so to win i natural brakes. Go beyond the properties physical possibilities however, it can increase the risk of not perceive the limit of fatigue e get over it, going to meet serious damage for health“,
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specifies the dr. Geraci.
“The taurine (from the Latin taurus, toro, as it was discovered in the bull’s testicles) has several physiological roles in the formation of bile salts, regulates cell volume, metabolic activity e strengthens the contractility cardiac. To exceed in the introduction of this amino acid It may cause hypertension”,
concludes the dr. Geraci.