Today we’re shifting gears and focusing on an organ in your body that may unwittingly cop a beating after too many energy drinks – your brain.
Results from a study conducted by the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research shows that there may be a link between energy drink consumption and levels of depression and anxiety in young men. According to lead study author Georgina Trapp, there was no visible link between anxiety and energy drinks in the 500 or so female participants, but a ‘worrying’ link between males and the fizzy stuff.
“Participants were asked to record how many cans of energy drink they consumed a day and how often, for example every day or once a week,”
“We then used standard depression, anxiety and stress scales to assess mental health based on their questionnaire responses and this indicated that young adult males in particular showed a concerning link between anxiety and the consumption of these high caffeine energy drinks.
“Our research showed that drinking one 250ml can or more a day of energy drinks is associated with increased anxiety and the association got stronger as energy drink consumption increased.”
While the results from the study don’t yet offer any reason as to why this link between male anxiety and energy drinks exist, the researchers speculate that the high levels of caffeine elevate restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, irritability and concentration – all symptoms indicative of deeper social anxiety. And with males more likely to internalise and self-medicate than females, young men may be turning to energy drinks to mask or temporarily relieve such symptoms.
Check out the article and tell us what you think. Do you think energy drinks are potential irritants for mental conditions? Have you ever used energy drinks as a mood-booster instead of an energy hit? Let us know in the comments below!
CAN THE CAN 
I’m no doctor but from what it sounds like, I think that it can certainly trigger symptoms and for those who are more predisposed to mental conditions, energy drinks would definitely NOT be good for them. I can see how there is an overlap with ‘energy booster’ and ‘mood booster’, but in both cases you crash and then you burn. Probably best to stay away completely.
I’ve written a blog on more natural ways of dealing with stress and anxiety with common herbs from your garden. There’s also a plenty of plants out there that can boost energy levels- no energy drinks required 🙂
Check it out if you’re interested: http://eatfreshunsw.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/home-grown-herbal-remedies-from-the-garden/