• Question: what happens to the brain when you drink too many energy drinks ............................

    Asked by kathsta910lol to Helen, Jenni, Mark, Martin, Stu on 17 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Helen O'Connor

      Helen O'Connor answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      gives you wings?

    • Photo: Stuart Mourton

      Stuart Mourton answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      The energy drinks contain alot of stimulants. Some, like taurine found in drinks liek Red Bull is a naturally occuring substance that is found in our bodies normally. It is used for a number of things including processes that increase our alertness. Energy drink makers say their products provide the body with an extra boost of these substances, increasing your alertness and ability to be activity. Lots of studies have and are being carried out though to see how true these claims are. There is no doubt some some of these drinks increase the levels of substances used to help transmit brain signals, but this may not be particularly benifical! The research continues………….!!

    • Photo: Mark Burnley

      Mark Burnley answered on 16 Jun 2011:

      Recent work has shown that having sugar in your mouth can activate reward centres in the brain and this can improve exercise performance. How too many energy drinks affect the brain specifically is not certain. Many of the ingredients of energy drinks (salts and sugar) are tightly controlled by the body to make sure that the brain doesn’t get damaged by too much or too little of these substances.

    • Photo: Jenni Tilley

      Jenni Tilley answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      I don’t know, but after too many cups of coffee I’m so ‘awake’ I can hardly concentrate, I shake and I end up with a headache. I’m gonna guess that the extra sugar in energy drinks, makes it all much, much worse. I’d recommend a good night’s sleep and staying hydrated rather than downing energy drinks if you want to concentrate and perform well.

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