Energy drinks – from Red Bull to Monster Energy – have gained immense popularity as a quick and convenient way to boost energy and stay alert. One of the latest energy drinks, PRIME Energy, which was founded by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI, has proved no exception.
It earned viral popularity when it was launched earlier this year, but the high levels of caffeine in one PRIME energy have prompted questions. It's now been banned from some schools, and faces scrutiny from lawmakers and health experts. But what does the science say about PRIME Energy and other energy drinks?
How much caffeine is in a can of energy drink?
Different energy drinks contain varying levels of caffeine, often much higher than you'd find in a typical cup of instant coffee, which generally contains between 30-90mg.
Here's how some caffeinated drinks in the UK compare:
- PRIME Energy: One 330ml can contains 140mg of caffeine.
- Coca Cola: One 330ml can contains 35mg of caffeine
- Red Bull: One 250ml can contains 80mg of caffeine.
- Monster Energy: One 500ml can contains 160mg of caffeine.
Although the thought of such a quick, concentrated energy boost might be appealing, it’s important to understand the impact these energy drinks have on our bodies.
Let’s look at what happens to us when we drink one...
How energy drinks impact your body, hour by hour
30 minutes after drinking an energy drink
You might begin to experience a rapid increase in alertness and improved concentration due to the stimulant effect of high doses of caffeine. Your heart rate and blood pressure may also rise, which can give you a sense of heightened energy. However, this initial surge might also lead to restlessness, jitters, and in some cases, palpitations.
One hour after consumption
At this point, the peak caffeine levels in your bloodstream may have passed. You might start to experience a ‘crash’, with a sudden drop in energy levels. This can lead to feelings of fatigue, irritability, and even headaches.
The sugar content in energy drinks can contribute to this crash by causing a rapid increase and subsequent drop in blood sugar levels. It takes around 5-6 hours for the body to achieve just a 50 per cent reduction in the amount of caffeine in the bloodstream.
After 12 hours
After about 12 hours, most of the caffeine has likely been metabolised and eliminated from your body. However, the lingering effects might still impact your sleep quality, making it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. If you regularly drink caffeinated drinks, you might experience some withdrawal symptoms at this point, such as a headache and irritability.
Will the added vitamins and minerals give your body more energy?
As well as caffeine, energy drinks contain other ingredients such as taurine, electrolytes, vitamins and thiamine. In reality, these are often included for marketing purposes and are unlikely to have significant health benefits, especially when balanced against the negative effects of caffeine and sugar.
Most people get sufficient amounts of these from their regular diets in any case.
Energy drinks affect children and adults differently
The effects are more harmful for children and adolescents. Adults generally have a higher tolerance for caffeine, whereas children and adolescents tend to be more sensitive to caffeine, which can lead to more pronounced side effects, such as increased heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, and nervousness.
Additionally, energy drinks can interfere with the growth and development of children, disrupting their natural sleep patterns and potentially impacting their academic and social performance. The combination of caffeine and high sugar content might also lead to an increased risk of obesity in children and adolescents, and even early-onset type 2 diabetes.
Verdict: Rethink that back-to-school boost
So all in all, these energy drinks often make big promises. Some say they'll help by increasing energy and alertness, others offer extra nutrition, and some even claim to boost your athletic performance or powers of concentration.
But once you cut through the hype and look past the flashy packaging on energy products, chances are what you are mostly getting is a stiff dose of sugar and caffeine – with plenty of side effects that you might prefer to avoid, especially for younger drinkers.
Read more: