
SO-CALLED ENERGY DRINKS MAY DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD
With visions of Popeye ripping open his beloved can of spinach, energy drink marketers are promising instant vitality in just a few gulps. The pitch has proved alluring, but some health advocates are worried that these over hyped elixirs do more harm than good.
While sports drinks often supply needed carbs and electrolytes that can replenish an exercising body, energy drinks often add dehydrating doses of caffeine or potentially dangerous stimulant herbs such as ma huang or ephedra. Johns Hopkins Registered Dietician Amanda Ryan says these additives can endanger people with heart disease as well as others.
People that have seizure disorders can also have troubles with these drinks, and also I'd say people that have psychological disorders will also have problems with these drinks.:09
Ryan says a better energy alternative is to stay well-hydrated and eat an apple, some yogurt, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before a workout.
At the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, I'm Mat Edelson reporting.
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