Beware! What you drink may have a lasting impact on your mental health. In an eye-opening post, CMC Vellore-trained doctor Dr. Sudhir Kumar, MD, shared a research paper posted on the MDPI journal that explored the connection between coffee and energy drink intake and suicide ideation.
Dr. Kumar, who is a neurologist associated with Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said that while drinking coffee in moderation (one to two cups per day) may lower the risk of suicide, energy drinks showed the opposite. Even one a month was linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts.
Why Energy Drinks Are A Red Flag
Dr Kumar explained that coffee is primarily made up of caffeine, a natural compound that, when taken in moderation, can sharpen focus and lift one’s mood. Energy drinks, on the other hand, not only include caffeine but are also loaded with high amounts of sugar and additional stimulants. These ingredients may disrupt normal sleep patterns, heighten feelings of nervousness, and put extra pressure on both the brain and the heart, which, over time, could negatively impact mental well-being.
An article featured in Medscape highlighted that energy drinks typically contain additives such as taurine, guarana, and ginseng, in addition to their heavy sugar load. This combination has been linked to heightened anxiety and sudden mood fluctuations, especially among young men, who represent the largest group of consumers.
By contrast, coffee is known to provide antioxidant protection and contribute positively to gut health. Its caffeine content has been associated with lifting mood and improving emotional balance. Energy drinks, however, present the opposite effect. The sugars and other components they carry tend to harm the gut microbiome. Research has shown that consistent intake of these beverages lowers the activity of bacterial genes that support emotional stability and also reduces the overall diversity of gut microbes.
In Conclusion
Don’t rely on energy drinks to deal with stress. Focus on getting adequate sleep and build a support system to deal with stress.
Dr. Kumar, who is a neurologist associated with Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said that while drinking coffee in moderation (one to two cups per day) may lower the risk of suicide, energy drinks showed the opposite. Even one a month was linked to a higher risk of suicidal thoughts.
Why Energy Drinks Are A Red Flag
Dr Kumar explained that coffee is primarily made up of caffeine, a natural compound that, when taken in moderation, can sharpen focus and lift one’s mood. Energy drinks, on the other hand, not only include caffeine but are also loaded with high amounts of sugar and additional stimulants. These ingredients may disrupt normal sleep patterns, heighten feelings of nervousness, and put extra pressure on both the brain and the heart, which, over time, could negatively impact mental well-being.
An article featured in Medscape highlighted that energy drinks typically contain additives such as taurine, guarana, and ginseng, in addition to their heavy sugar load. This combination has been linked to heightened anxiety and sudden mood fluctuations, especially among young men, who represent the largest group of consumers.
By contrast, coffee is known to provide antioxidant protection and contribute positively to gut health. Its caffeine content has been associated with lifting mood and improving emotional balance. Energy drinks, however, present the opposite effect. The sugars and other components they carry tend to harm the gut microbiome. Research has shown that consistent intake of these beverages lowers the activity of bacterial genes that support emotional stability and also reduces the overall diversity of gut microbes.
In Conclusion
Don’t rely on energy drinks to deal with stress. Focus on getting adequate sleep and build a support system to deal with stress.
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