Energy Tonics: Truth and Lies

Energy drinks, which have been actively advertised lately and have flooded store shelves, can be hazardous to health. This is the conclusion reached by experts from the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Union. However, more and more lovers of an active lifestyle prefer to “recharge” with such a liquid.

Several years ago, American scientists set out to save the world from fatigue and blues. In secret laboratories they developed the “magic” formula for smart drinks. This is how an invigorating mix of energy tonics appeared. Genie in a bottle. Or maybe it's a pig in a poke? Let's try to figure out where the truth is and where the lies are.

Each of us has had cases when our own strength has long been running out, and there is no end in sight to the work. Or when, at a party in full swing, the guy with whom you have been looking for a meeting for so long shows genuine interest, but his eyes treacherously stick together. Or after a great workout in the gym, when your muscles are at their limit, your legs are trembling and you want only one thing - to lie down as quickly as possible, a partner appears, meeting whom promises the first million. And this is where energy drinks come to the rescue. After a couple of sips, you are ready for new feats - your head becomes clearer, your tone increases, your body is ready to run a couple more kilometers.

However, should you trust your health to insidious energy tonics? Expert opinions differ.

On the one hand, in France, Denmark and Norway, energy drinks are prohibited for sale in stores and are only available in pharmacies as medicine. Several deaths believed to be related to energy drinks are being investigated in Sweden.

On the other hand, according to some experts, energy drinks are simply fortified coffee substitutes; their effect is comparable to that of amphetamine, but they cannot be fatal. The only danger is their excessive consumption in combination with alcohol or physical activity.

Thus, moderate consumption of energy drinks on special occasions may be justified. However, common sense dictates that it is better to rely on natural sources of energy, such as coffee, fruits and vegetables. And to maintain tone, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle are preferable to chemical stimulants with unstudied effects.