The recent explosion of energy drinks on the market has likely meant you’ve at least tried one. TV commercials, 
magazines, and convenience stores are full of these unhealthy drinks; and many people may be unaware of the damage these drinks can do. They may look like a regular soda and taste great, but they’re more than just a sweet treat.
While extremely rare use is likely to not have any significant impact on your health, regular consumption may have a negative impact on both your long-term and short-term health.
Depending on the brand, one energy drink has anywhere from the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, to three or four times the caffeine. There are plenty of negative effects associated with caffeine:
- It can increase blood pressure.
- It can increase the chance of strokes, cerebral disease, and dementia.
- It may reduce fine motor control.
- It can increase cortisol secretion.
- It can cause anxiety.
- It can increase insomnia and sleep latency.
- It can cause headache, fatigue, and decreased alertness.
- It is addictive.
On top of that, energy drinks contain a lot of additional ingredients which, when taken in large amounts, have been shown to have negative effects.
Guarana—a plant native to the Amazon—can lead to insomnia, heart palpitations, tremors, and may not react well with other drugs you may be taking.
Taurine—an organic acid—can lead to gastrointestinal issues and, in large amounts, can be toxic.
Cyanocobalamin—a common vitamer—can cause allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, swelling, headache, nausea, diarrhea, hypokalemia, and more.
Ginseng—a perennial plant—can cause bleeding, dry mouth, tremor, palpitations, blurred vision, insomnia, increased blood pressure, dizziness, itching, fatigue, and more.
Carnitine—an ammonium compound—can cause diarrhea, increase in appetite, body odor, skin problems, and vomiting.
Ginko biloba—a type of tree—can cause blood to coagulate, react with depression medication, gastrointestinal discomfort, vomiting, dizziness, heart palpitations, and more.
Inositol—a chemical compound—can lead to hair loss, anxiety, high blood cholesterol, heart disease, and more.
With all of these potential negative side effects, there are much better options out there—whether you’re looking for energy or just a refreshing drink.
Green tea, for example, has many positive health effects including weight loss, improved blood pressure, increased immunity, prevent aging, improve cholesterol, and more.
One specific green tea, Matcha, is the foundation of the Japanese tea ceremony. It is finely ground and has been used for hundreds of years. Matcha has been shown to:
- Increase alertness
- Add vitality and harmony to your mind and body
- Relieve stress
- Protect cells from oxidative damage
- Contribute to normal, energy-yielding metabolism
- Improve concentration
The long-term effects of making green tea a part of your diet have been proven over and over again. Green teas have been used for millennia.
So instead of a sugary or potentially harmful energy drink, a better alternative would be to make green tea a regular part of your diet. Not only will you have the energy you need, but you’ll also be helping your body in the long run—instead of hurting it.
