The caffeine time bomb 💣

Chap! You might wanna slow down on that energy drink or cup of coffee

Caffeine was initially discovered in tea by a Chinese emperor who accidentally brewed tea and is found in over 60 plant species. It's the most widely consumed psychoactive drug globally though it is unregulated it is present in various products like coffee, tea, energy drinks(EDs), and chocolate. A 2020 US study found coffee as the primary source of caffeine for middle-aged adults, while adolescents mainly get it from soft drinks, energy drinks, and tea.

A 2023 US survey revealed that 33% of 18 to 29-year-olds regularly consume energy drinks, with men aged 18-34 being the highest consumers. Millennials contribute 50% to global energy drink consumption, and some students combine them with alcohol, while 28.6% of smokers consume them more than once weekly.

This high consumption raises concerns about potential health risks, such as caffeine toxicity, although it's rare. Safe caffeine limits vary by age, ranging from 2.5 mg/kg/day to 6 mg/kg/day in children, up to 400 mg/day in adults. However, energy drink manufacturers might circumvent these limits by marketing their drinks as "natural dietary supplements."

Caffeine is rapidly absorbed in the body, metabolized into various compounds, and has a half-life of 3 to 7 hours in adults. High doses can lead to health issues like rapid breathing, seizures, hormonal imbalances, increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, migraines, insomnia, and interference with development and reproductive functions.

Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to caffeine overdose due to lower tolerance levels. Manufacturers aren't required to list caffeine content on their products, which can exceed safe limits in some cases, leading to toxicity hence medical professionals should inquire about energy drink and caffeine usage when assessing patient symptoms.

While regulatory guidelines for caffeine consumption exist in developed countries, there are no international guidelines specifically for energy drinks. In conclusion, it's advisable to moderate energy drink consumption to avoid potential health risks..

References

1. Https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caffeine

2. Temple JL, Bernard C, Lipshultz SE, Czachor JD, Westphal JA, Mestre MA. The Safety of Ingested Caffeine: A Comprehensive Review. Front Psychiatry. 2017 May 26;8:80. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00080.

3. Https://www.statista.com/forecasts/228168/energy-drinks-consumption-usa

4. Https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2009-07-01-Drinks_N.htm