Army Troops Are Warned Against Consuming Energy Drinks

United States army troops have been warned against consuming too many energy drinks as they can have quite an impact on the body.

Energy drinks contain caffeine and stimulant drugs. They are mostly marketed as providing physical and mental stimulation. Some such products contain sugar or similar sweeteners. They may or may not be carbonated.

Most energy drinks are advertised as increasing cognitive performance. The results are ascribed to either caffeine or an ingredient mix.

However, such products have also been associated with potential health problems. An increased or constant consumption may cause problems to their users.

They could lead to cardiac conditions. Energy drinks could also contribute to a rise in alcohol-related injury risks. Some have even associated them with psychiatric conditions.

The United Stated Department of Defense researchers have carried out a study. It was prompted by the consumption rates of its army troops during a mission.

This specific mission, the Enduring Freedom, was carried out in 2010. Research established that around 14 percent of the involved soldiers drank three or more such drinks per day.

As it is, the military has reportedly noticed a new trend. More and more soldiers are said to be choosing energy drinks in the detriment of water.

Water is a vital element for the human body. At the same time, the exact effects of a high rate of energy drinks consumption are still being established.

Nonetheless, Iraq and Afghanistan deployed army troops have been noted to replace one drink for the other.

The research also established that about 45 percent of such soldiers consume at least one such drink a day. All the research data was gathered from the Enduring Freedom mission.

Energy drinks have been known to have a high caffeine content. This latter can cause a number of effects on the body. It could lead to insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, and irritability.

High caffeine levels may also lead to muscle tremors or a faster heartbeat. And these are just a number of its potential ill-effects. As it is, the Department of Defense has advised caution.

It has decided to so after noticing the high consumption rates. The Department advises attention and recommends its arms troops to limit their energy drinks habits.

Reports also advise them to limit their caffeine consumption rates. Professor Patricia Deuster went to offer details. She is part of the Uniformed Services University part of the Health Services.

According to Deuster, the army troops should limit their caffeine consumption. This should not surpass 200 milligrams every four hours.

Deuster recommends against consuming a drink which contains more than the aforementioned 4-hour limit.

The caffeine limit should include all the products containing such a substance. More exactly, it targets both coffee, energy drinks, and other related products.

Caffeine is not the only element which should be checked. Sugar levels should also be taken into account. Most energy drinks also have high sugar levels.

Some can have as much as 27 grams. This value makes up for two-thirds of the daily recommended quantity for men. It is also 2 grams over the daily quantity recommended for women.

Reportedly sugar-free energy drinks may also contain other sweeteners. As such, they should also be checked out and avoided, if possible.

The Department’s advice to its army troops could be generally applied. People should potentially try refraining from consuming a large quantity of energy drinks. Most products constantly taken in high quantities may potentially lead to unexpected effects.

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