Red Bull can give you wings, but it can also give you a heart attack. At least, that’s what’s spreading on social media.

Multiple users on Instagram have posted warnings warning consumers about the potential effects of energy drinks.

In a video posted by Dr. Kunal Sood, who has 1.2 million followers on IG, he explains the risks to the body when consuming energy drinks. Health coach Vicki Nelson, who has 95,700 followers on Instagram, also revealed in one of his clips that drinking just one energy drink can narrow your blood vessels within 90 minutes. claims.

Another post on the platform makes the following claim:

• monster energy Contains 98 percent artificial flavor, taurine, and L-carnitine. This drink can cause heart disease, obesity and blood clots.
• red bull It contains aspartame, which can cause diabetes, heart disease, and anxiety.
• dunkin iced coffee Contains 40 grams of sugar, 98 percent artificial sweeteners and flavors, and inorganic coffee. This drink can cause weight gain, brain fog, kidney damage, and diabetes.
• starbucks double shot energy Contains maltodextrin, glucose, and syrup. This drink causes high blood pressure, cognitive inflammation, and arterial inflammation.

Meanwhile, a study conducted in 2020 also stated that sugar-sweetened beverages, such as energy drinks, may increase the risk of high blood pressure in young people.

Many people believe they live a superior lifestyle and often flaunt energy drinks to look “cool”, but are these drinks a red flag? india today We reached out to a few experts to find out the same.

When you drink an energy drink…

“When you consume energy drinks, several things happen in your body,” says Dr. Ekta Singhal, master’s nutritionist at Ujala Cygnus Hospital Group.

• First, the caffeine content may lead to increased alertness and temporary improvements in cognitive function.
• Sugar and other stimulants provide energy quickly.
• However, stimulants such as caffeine and taurine can also increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Dr Roohi Pirzada, a senior doctor and critical care specialist based in Mumbai, says, “When the blood level of caffeine reaches its peak, it stimulates the nervous system and increases a person’s alertness and concentration. It lifts your mood,” he explains.

In addition to this, Dr. Kaushal Chhatrapati, a Mumbai-based senior interventional cardiologist and member of DocTube, says, “Energy drinks can also cause heart attacks, commonly known as myocardial infarctions, leading to death. “It’s associated with a lot of the so-called gym deaths.” Drinking an energy drink while exercising will increase your confidence and give you more power to work out even harder than you planned. ”

“At the same time, because of toxic chemicals like taurine and ephedrine and high amounts of caffeine, they are actually harmful to the heart and can actually cause a myocardial infarction or heart attack during exercise,” he says. added.

There’s nothing good here

Dr Chhatrapati says, “Energy drinks contain as much as 150 mg of caffeine and toxic chemicals such as taurine. They also contain very high concentrations of sugar, which is why some energy drinks contain It also contains ephedrine, all of which are very harmful to health.” . ”

• Consuming energy drinks can cause irritability, nervousness, increased heart rate, and various arrhythmias.
• It can also cause dehydration.
• Consuming energy drinks daily can also cause insomnia.

According to doctors, contrary to popular perception, such drinks do not increase athletic performance.

He says, “They are a marketing fad and should be avoided. Cold drinks are bad enough as it is, but energy drinks take that badness to a whole new level.”

Agreeing with this, Dr. Singhal says that overconsumption of energy drinks over time can lead to problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, dental problems, and even cardiac events.

Dr. Pirzada further states that energy drinks also contain methylxanthines, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, vitamins B2 and B3, and several antioxidants.

She added that insomnia associated with energy drinks can be more severe, especially when caffeine exceeds 200mg levels, and in extreme cases can take up to nine days to be flushed out of the body.

protect your heart

Experts believe that energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, especially in people with underlying heart disease or who consume too many energy drinks.

Although the number of heart attacks associated with energy drinks has not increased significantly, there is growing concern among medical professionals about the possible cardiovascular effects of energy drinks.

About claims made on social media

Dr. Singhwal says, “Claims that certain energy drinks cause various health problems should be treated with caution. Individual ingredients in these drinks, such as caffeine and sugar, may “It can cause health problems if ingested, but it’s important to consider your overall diet and health issues.” Lifestyle factors. ”

“However, moderation is key and you should avoid overconsumption of energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull and Starbucks’ Double Shot Energy,” she added.

If you still want to drink energy drinks

• You should be mindful of your caffeine intake from other sources and be aware of its tolerable levels.
• People with underlying heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, or caffeine sensitivity should avoid or limit intake.
• Pregnant women, children, and adolescents should also use caution and consult a health care professional before consuming energy drinks.
• Overall, it’s important to focus on a balanced diet, proper hydration, adequate rest and exercise to maintain optimal health and energy levels without relying on energy drinks.