Recent press coverage on energy drinks has highlighted the potential negative impact of caffeine on teenagers and young adults. The caffeine has been, according to a study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, found to be double the amount found in most colas or sodas.

Caffeine in high doses can cause dehydration, nervousness, headaches and in some cases abnormal heart conditions in otherwise healthy individuals. Caffeine is also known to elevate blood pressure, which is dangerous for those already at risk.

Another lethal combination of caffeine is when energy drinks are mixed with alcohol. Not only to the depressant effects of alcohol become masked by the stimulant effects of the caffeine, but the competing drug stress on the system can function to exacerbate existing medical conditions.

As caffeine is often also mixed with high sugar content (sugar for coffee, sugar in cola) it is also potentially dangerous to your wasteline. While drinking a soda to help stay away may be a quick fix, drinking several sodas a day can lead to a rapidly expanding wasteline.

Doctors also do not recommend that women who are pregnant, people at risk from bone density loss, individuals with high blood pressure, or certain individuals with chronic anxiety problems. It is also extremely toxic to dogs and horses.

The bottom line? A cup of joe a day is not going to kill you. But drinking it in excess can be dangerous to your health. When in doubt, be sure to talk to your doctor about your individual concerns.

Learn more about this author, E.D. Cameron.
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