Skylar Maurice, Staff Writer

Energy drinks are consumed by many people for a variety of reasons, and for some, energy drinks replace soda, coffee, tea or water. Primarily due to their harmful ingredients, energy drinks can have a plethora of negative effects on a person’s body. 

According to WebMD, energy drinks are a common dietary supplement, and some of them contain excessive levels of caffeine. Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve these drinks, a brand can include any ingredient that they choose to. Some of the most common ingredients in energy drinks include caffeine, taurine, sugar, guarana and L-carnitine.

Caffeine is the main ingredient that can be found in energy drinks. A 16-ounce can can have up to 240 mg of caffeine. Caffeine can affect a person’s level of attentiveness and alertness, and can also affect athletic performance. The FDA recommends that people consume less than 400 mg of caffeine per day. This suggestion is for adults and is equivalent to two or three 12-ounce cans.

Taurine is another ingredient that is found in energy drinks. It is an amino acid that is naturally found in the body, but is also found in meat. It is used by the body’s cells as a way for energy to be processed. It assists the body in creating bile acid and neutralizing salt and minerals. Consuming too much of it can drain a person and can also lead to a hindrance in one’s sleep.

Sugar provides energy to the body, but it can create issues, specifically for people with conditions such as prediabetes. The dietary guidelines for sugar consumption indicate that people should not consume more than 10% of their daily calories from sugar.

Guarana is an ingredient that originates from the seeds of the Paullinia cupana plant. When it interacts with caffeine, it can have side effects that include an increase in heart rate or anxiety. 

L-carnitine is a usual ingredient found in energy drinks as well. It is a molecule that aids the body in turning fat into energy. Medical conditions can cause a person to not produce enough carnitine in their system. High levels of it can create gut problems such as diarrhea. 

Users should speak with their doctor before consuming energy drinks, especially those who are taking blood thinners, dealing with hyperthyroidism or are taking valproic acid.

Energy drinks can make people feel fatigued once the caffeine wears off, negatively impacting the amount of sleep that a person gets. When a person feels groggy, they have a greater tendency to consume another energy drink. This can generate a dangerous cycle where users decide to drink more caffeine than usual due to their fluctuating caffeine tolerance.