Yet, beneath the vibrant branding and eye-catching packaging lies a stark reality: these beverages may hold sig- nificant health risks.
Recently, a Heart FM presenter spoke to a 17-year-old listener who stated that his doctor believed his recent heart attack was due to the con- sumption of energy drinks.
The teenager, who was having a haircut when the heart attack occurred, said that when he went to the hospital, his doctor ran a variety of tests.
“After so much examination and inspection and thorough surveys done, I've been put on ECGs and everything .. The doctors initially thought that I had epilepsy ... It turns out that my heart has been the main organ that's been affected.
“They asked me questions like what's my diet, what do you drink, what do you eat, do you sleep much, are you busy with physical activities, so I explained everything to my doctor.
“And he asked me: ‘Do you drink energy drinks?’ I told him, yes, and he looked at me with his face like: “Why didn’t you tell us this in the first place?”
The Facebook video clip has since garnered close to 500k views and has opened up a conversation surrounding the health risks of drinking energy drinks.
One user, Ingrid Domingo com- mented: “Energy drinks are toxic ... I cringe when I see how youngsters drink Score like water ... And you can't tell them... Oh no... They know of better...”
Craig B. Poole said: “That stuff is banned in my house. Told my kids if I catch them with it there's going to be trouble.”
Jackie Myburgh offered a natural remedy: “In this busy world where we constantly feel tired and need energy please try cayenne pepper in a glass of water. It increases energy, lowers blood pressure and is good for the heart.
“I have witnessed children not even in their teens drink Monster, which to me is the most lethal and the more popular one and it’s like something cool. There should be age restrictions on sales of these dangerous drinks in South Africa”
Here’s what you need to know about the dark side of energy drinks.
Short-term consequences:
One of the most immediate effects of drinking an energy drink is an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, pri- marily attributed to the high caffeine content.
For many, this spike can be exhila- rating, but it also poses serious dangers, especially for those with underlying health issues.
Additionally, while many consum- ers seek an alertness boost, excessive caffeine can lead to feelings of anxiety, insomnia and even gastrointestinal issues such as an upset stomach and diarrhoea.
Other adverse symptoms include a reduced steadiness of hands, which can be particularly concerning for those requiring...
Recently, a Heart FM presenter spoke to a 17-year-old listener who stated that his doctor believed his recent heart attack was due to the con- sumption of energy drinks.
The teenager, who was having a haircut when the heart attack occurred, said that when he went to the hospital, his doctor ran a variety of tests.
“After so much examination and inspection and thorough surveys done, I've been put on ECGs and everything .. The doctors initially thought that I had epilepsy ... It turns out that my heart has been the main organ that's been affected.
“They asked me questions like what's my diet, what do you drink, what do you eat, do you sleep much, are you busy with physical activities, so I explained everything to my doctor.
“And he asked me: ‘Do you drink energy drinks?’ I told him, yes, and he looked at me with his face like: “Why didn’t you tell us this in the first place?”
The Facebook video clip has since garnered close to 500k views and has opened up a conversation surrounding the health risks of drinking energy drinks.
One user, Ingrid Domingo com- mented: “Energy drinks are toxic ... I cringe when I see how youngsters drink Score like water ... And you can't tell them... Oh no... They know of better...”
Craig B. Poole said: “That stuff is banned in my house. Told my kids if I catch them with it there's going to be trouble.”
Jackie Myburgh offered a natural remedy: “In this busy world where we constantly feel tired and need energy please try cayenne pepper in a glass of water. It increases energy, lowers blood pressure and is good for the heart.
“I have witnessed children not even in their teens drink Monster, which to me is the most lethal and the more popular one and it’s like something cool. There should be age restrictions on sales of these dangerous drinks in South Africa”
Here’s what you need to know about the dark side of energy drinks.
Short-term consequences:
One of the most immediate effects of drinking an energy drink is an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, pri- marily attributed to the high caffeine content.
For many, this spike can be exhila- rating, but it also poses serious dangers, especially for those with underlying health issues.
Additionally, while many consum- ers seek an alertness boost, excessive caffeine can lead to feelings of anxiety, insomnia and even gastrointestinal issues such as an upset stomach and diarrhoea.
Other adverse symptoms include a reduced steadiness of hands, which can be particularly concerning for those requiring...
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The Mercury (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 24, 2025