False cheerfulness: the dangers of combining alcohol and caffeine


Sweet killer

According to the same Consumer Reports, Red Bull and Monster contain about 27 grams of sugar per can.
Rockstar brings this figure to 30 grams. One teaspoon contains about 5 grams. That is, imagine that 6 teaspoons of sugar were added to one bottle of energy drink. Why is this being done? And should we be afraid of problems with teeth, which is what mothers so often like to scare with a sweet tooth? When glucose enters the bloodstream, insulin and sugar levels instantly jump to impossible heights. The person's mood rises. He feels good and has fun. Together with invigorating substances, you want to move mountains. The only problem is that the effect is short-term. And behind him comes fatigue, even greater than before. The nervous system has suffered increased stress, and the body requires rest. But the man drinks another can of energy drink. Because “something is making me sleepy again.” By the way, a similar mechanism of metabolic processes occurs if you drink coffee with Coca-Cola, albeit on a smaller scale.

If blood sugar levels are constantly elevated, hyperglycemia develops. And caries is even the least of the troubles. This condition depresses brain function, leading to dementia, and also provokes diabetes.

Is it possible to mix coffee with a decaffeinated energy drink, what will happen?

Rarely does anyone make this mix simply because they suddenly want to try two of their favorite flavors at the same time. Usually the reason is precisely the desire for vigor, when one thing (usually coffee) does not seem very reliable in terms of providing vigor. But you need to understand what kind of mixture you will get.

Caffeine in coffee

One 250 ml cup contains between 80 and 200 mg of caffeine. It depends on the method of preparation, the degree of grinding and roasting, and, to a lesser extent, on the variety and type of beans. Interestingly, light roasts retain more caffeine, while longer roasts burn them. Here are some average data:

  • Brewed coffee, 250 ml – 95 mg;
  • Espresso, standard serving – 65 mg;
  • Americano diluted with water – the same 65 mg;
  • Americano from a coffee machine, water is poured longer – 80 mg;
  • Latte and cappuccino - since they are made on the basis of espresso - 65 mg or 130 mg in double;
  • Soluble – per 200 ml – 30–90 mg.

For example, let's take the most popular - Red Bull. It is usually associated with a huge boost of caffeine and energy, greater than that of coffee. But in a regular 250-gram jar there is only 80 mg of caffeine.

However, caffeine is not the only stimulant present in Red Bull - there is another compound called taurine, which enhances the effects of caffeine and has some stimulant effects, but the exact effects have not yet been studied.

One can of Red Bull contains 1 gram of taurine, and the maximum amount of taurine an adult can safely consume in one day without risk of serious long-term effects is 3 grams.

We do not recommend mixing coffee with energy drinks. In any case, carefully monitor your condition, and it is better to generally prefer one type of stimulation rather than mixing everything possible.

Does Red Bull inspire you?

In addition to those described above, the same health department identified 21 cases of harmful effects of Red Bull energy drink on the body. The “harmful influence” meant tremors, heart attack and miscarriage in a pregnant girl. What made it all worse was that all the victims were avid coffee drinkers. These are the consequences of coffee with energy drinks.

Red Bull

However, these data are not the first accusations against invigorating products. In 2011, the Institute for the Study of Drug Abuse and Mental Disorders at the US Department of Health identified 13 thousand calls to emergency medical services in 2009, provoked by the use of energy drinks. In the vast majority of cases, teenagers and young people prevailed among the victims. The first ones wanted to prolong their feeling of vigor in order to sit longer at night in front of the computer. The second group drank coffee with an energy drink to replenish their energy while preparing for exams or while visiting entertainment venues.

Vodka + energy cocktail kills rather than inspires

Remember, in “Autumn Marathon” by Georgy Danelia, the locksmith Kharitonov, played by Evgeny Leonov, was indignant: “I told him, don’t mix vodka with port wine, but he – cocktail, cocktail...”. Now we have found out that it is not only vodka and port wine that cannot be mixed. One of the most dangerous “cocktails” is alcohol + energy drinks containing caffeine. These are the findings of a new study conducted by British and American scientists, reports cocaine and heroin. A stimulating energy drink and relaxing alcohol make up a truly explosive mixture. At the same time, those who drink energy drinks with vodka consume 36 percent more alcohol per drink. This, in turn, is explained by the fact that under the influence of a stimulant a person is not aware of how much he actually drank. In addition, caffeine enhances the effect of alcohol on the brain.

As for the use of energy drinks in Belarus, they are primarily common among young people, says Vladimir Maksimchuk, chief narcologist of the Ministry of Health of Belarus. Where they are used, as is known, they are abused. Television advertising convinces us that these drinks “give us wings.” In fact, in large quantities they kill health.

According to the chief Vladimir Maksimchuk, “young people buy several cans of tonic drink at once to tone up. When a person drinks several cans of this drink, he depletes his own body. Something similar happens with the abuse of psychostimulants.” Energy drinks contain psychostimulants, in particular caffeine. By the way, to get an effect comparable to that of one can of energy drink, you need to drink 4 cups of coffee.

Doctors generally do not recommend drinking more than one can of energy drink a day. In addition, they warn that systematic consumption of energy drinks can cause addiction. Without them, after some time a person reaches a phase of exhaustion, experiences lethargy, weakness and seeks a remedy to relieve this condition. A cup of coffee will no longer help him.

There are also contraindications to the use of energy drinks - almost the same as for alcohol. They should not be drunk by children, pregnant women and people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Drinking the “vodka + energy” cocktail is not recommended for anyone.

Effect of energy drinks

Energy drinks are extremely popular, especially among young people. This drink also helps to cheer you up, but constant use causes insomnia, depression and does not allow you to fully rest.

Bright cans of energy drinks contain a whole range of substances:

  • Caffeine stimulates brain activity and increases the frequency of contraction of the heart muscle (pulse) by about 6 times;
  • Taurine acts as an antioxidant, stimulates metabolism, increases endurance and concentration;
  • Levocarnitine is a substance that also accelerates metabolic processes;
  • Guarana benefits the body only in small quantities, but with constant use it causes insomnia and headaches;
  • Melatonin helps regulate sleep-wake cycles;
  • Matein reduces the natural feeling of hunger.

For you:
What is the name of the strongest coffee and how to prepare it

In addition, energy drinks usually contain glucose and fructose (to reduce the body's need for sleep and rest), as well as phenylamine, which enhances the taste of the drink.

Each of these substances in moderate quantities is beneficial for the body, but taken together they are harmful to health. Energy drinks are considered especially dangerous for teenagers. An overdose of energy drinks can cause vomiting, exacerbation of kidney and stomach diseases, arrhythmia, and in severe cases, hallucinations and loss of orientation in space.

If a person has consumed an energy drink, drinking coffee or other drinks containing caffeine (including strong tea) is prohibited for 4 hours. Otherwise, the caffeine content in the blood will be so high that mental and physical health problems will appear.

The effect of coffee and cola

Caffeine can give a good shake and invigorate the body - this is a well-known fact. But what happens if cola is mixed with coffee? Cola is an ideal complement to a coffee drink, since soda contains increased levels of sugar, that is, glucose, which is beneficial for brain activity.

The effect of drinking coffee energy drink with Pepsi comes immediately. The following sensations appear:

  • clarification of consciousness;
  • increased heart rate and pulse;
  • increased mental activity;
  • disappearance of fatigue and drowsiness;
  • adrenaline production;
  • increased performance.

Coffee and cola will give the body a lot of energy

Who can take energy drink?

It is recommended not to drink energy drinks with coffee unless absolutely necessary. It is better to drink this drink in especially emergency cases. People and situations in which drinking coffee energy drink with Pepsi is possible and beneficial:

  1. Night shift workers, especially those with mechanical and routine work. When you constantly need to monitor cameras and answer monotonous calls. This drink will be a salvation for workers unloading or engaged in other physical activities at night.
  2. Students, especially during exams. Constant cramming and preparation for the session is exhausting. Constant stimulation of mental activity is necessary. Coffee with cola is an excellent substitute for expensive ready-made energy drinks for students who are always strapped for cash.
  3. Athletes. Consuming an energy drink immediately before training increases endurance and effectiveness of the workout. This drink, in addition to athletes, is suitable for ordinary people who periodically play sports.
  4. Active people leading nightlife. After a long day of work, sometimes you want to take your mind off your problems and have fun with friends. You just need to rest after a stormy night the next day.
  5. Drivers. A night trip can be fatal, so you need to quickly eliminate drowsiness and cheer up.

Just don’t drink the drink often, as it has many contraindications.

Contraindications

Despite the positive feature, such as giving a feeling of vigor and fullness of strength, Pepsi with coffee, like any other energy drinks, has a number of contraindications. For some categories of people, drinking this drink can be especially dangerous.

Persons who are contraindicated from drinking coffee energy drinks with cola:

  • pregnant women;
  • women who are breastfeeding;
  • small children and adolescents under 14 years of age;
  • having diseases of the cardiovascular system;
  • people with allergies or individual intolerance to certain ingredients of the drink;
  • having kidney problems;
  • people with nervous system disorders.

The drink has a number of contraindications

Even in the absence of these contraindications, a person may feel unwell after drinking the drink. The following effects may occur:

  • cardiopalmus;
  • dizziness;
  • visual impairment;
  • nausea;
  • frequent urination;
  • disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.

If these ailments do not go away after 2 hours, you should consult a doctor.

How does an invigorating cocktail affect the health of an ordinary person?

It is not worth restoring performance using such an extreme method more than once every 1-2 weeks. Such an influence does not pass without a trace, since the body often has to pay for the lack of drowsiness and the possibility of active wakefulness:

  • lethargy, apathy;
  • high blood pressure;
  • rapid heartbeat;
  • increased load on the kidneys.

Frequent consumption of an invigorating cocktail can disrupt the biological regimes of the body, which will provoke the development of insomnia.

Coffee recipes - energy

Strong coffee with lemon

  1. ground coffee – 2.5 tsp;
  2. water – 200 ml;
  3. sugar, granulated sugar - 3 spoons.;
  4. lemon: approximately 5 parts of the fruit.

How to cook. For greater richness, it is good to brew coffee in a thermos. First, pour sugar into a cup and add lemon. Crush the ingredients, add coffee. Mix again. Pour the resulting mixture into a thermos and pour boiling water over it. In half an hour you will receive a strong, tonic energy coffee.

Exotic. Italian extreme coffee with wine

You will need (per serving):

  1. medium grind coffee – 9-12g;
  2. wine.

The “hellish mixture” is prepared in a moka coffee maker. Instead of water, fill the coffee maker with wine, add coffee, put it on the stove and brew. As the process progresses, most of the alcohol evaporates, but what remains is enough for “indescribable” sensations.

The creators of the drink and those who tasted it unanimously warn - in real life, repeat it rarely, but accurately. The coffee comes out extremely strong plus alcohol, so be careful with it.

Double espresso classic

  1. ground coffee – 14-18g;
  2. water – 60-120 ml;
  3. sugar, granulated sugar - to taste.

Espresso is brewed in a coffee maker or household coffee machine. A double espresso shot includes 2 shots of classic espresso. There is a lot of caffeine in a cup of double espresso - this is something to remember.

Coffee "from the devil"

  1. ground coffee – 2 spoons;
  2. cinnamon – ? tsp;
  3. cloves – 1 piece;
  4. sugar, granulated sugar - spoon;
  5. rum – 2 tsp;
  6. roasted coffee beans – 3 pcs;
  7. water – 180 ml.

How to cook. Brew strong black coffee in a Turk (Turkish, Arabic). Place spices, spices, sugar in a heated cup and add rum. Pour hot coffee over the ingredients. Cover the cup tightly with a plate and leave for 5 minutes.

If you comply with all the conditions, you will get the multifaceted taste of true strong black coffee.

Remember that the “energy” effect of caffeine from a cup of coffee lasts 1-2 hours.

People mix coffee and energy drinks for a variety of reasons. Some people want to get the maximum boost of energy, others have fun all night under the influence of energy drinks, and at dawn they drink coffee in order to somehow come to their senses and go about their business. There are even those who try to use Red Bull to brew ground coffee! Whatever it is, it happens, and it doesn't always end well. We found out what will happen if you mix coffee with an energy drink, what the effect will be and possible consequences.

Energy mix

For 1 tbsp. take 1 tsp boiled water. apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp. honey, add 1 tsp. Yoda. Take 1 time per day after meals. After 10 days the person feels great.

Tincture or tea with ginger will tone you up

150 gr. leave ginger root in 800 ml of vodka for 7 days. Take 1 tsp. with water 2 times a day as a tonic.

Make yourself this tea: cut the ginger root into 5-6 parts, crush it with a masher to squeeze out the juice, pour in 1 tbsp. boiling water, add a slice of lemon and a little honey. This tea will give you strength and energy.

Tea to tone and strengthen blood vessels

Mix 3 parts each of St. John's wort and coltsfoot herb, 2.5 parts each of mint and oregano, 2 parts each of chamomile flowers and corn silk, 1.5 parts each of rose hips, 1 part each of hawthorn fruits and valerian root, 0. 5 parts eucalyptus leaves (all components dried and crushed). Mix this collection with green tea (1:1). Brew 1 tsp. the resulting mixture 1 tbsp. boiling water Leave for 15 minutes. and drink with jam, honey or sugar. This tea strengthens blood vessels and tones the body.

Cinnamon tincture

Pour 50g of cinnamon into 0.5 liters of vodka and place in a dark place for 3 weeks, shaking the contents periodically, then strain. Take the tincture 20-30 drops 3 times a day for 30 minutes. before meals. The tincture will remove melancholy, fill you with energy, relieve all cramps in the stomach, and improve digestion. Even hypertensive patients can take it. Drink until you feel well.

Herbs for chronic fatigue and depression

• Take 10 g of crushed dry plantain leaves, pour 1 glass of boiling water, wrap it in warm water, leave for 30 minutes and strain. Take 2 tbsp. spoons 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals for 2-3 weeks. A very good remedy.

• Pour 20 g of rosemary leaves with a glass of boiling water, boil for 15-20 minutes over low heat. Cool and strain. Take 1/2 teaspoon of the decoction 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is 1 week.

• Add 1 tsp to a 50 g pack of black tea. dry crushed valerian root, St. John's wort, thyme and oregano, mix thoroughly and store in a tightly closed jar. Brew as usual and drink to your health. Vigor and lightness in the body are guaranteed, and insomnia will disappear

• The following collection will help against neuroses and depression: centaury umbelliferum - 10 g, St. John's wort - 10 g, angelica root - 5 g, elecampane root - 5 g, red wine - 2 l. Pour the mixture into heated (hot) wine. Let stand for 12 hours. Shake, do not strain! Pour into a glass container along with the herbs and roots. For nervous and depressive conditions, give 20 ml of wine after meals. (The alcohol will evaporate during cooking. You can give 1/2 dose to children).

• Take 1 tsp. chopped dry St. John's wort (herb with flowers) and a pinch of dry linden blossom, pour 1 glass of boiling water, let it brew for 10-15 minutes, strain. Drink medicinal tea 2 times a day - morning and evening. After 2 weeks, you will feel that your emotions have become smoother and your mood has improved. St. John's wort is an excellent remedy even for prolonged depression. But in this herbal collection it plays several roles at once: as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and restorative agent for the nervous system. Together with linden blossom, St. John's wort quickly removes toxins from the body. Course - 3 weeks.

• You need to use flowers of the capitula (field sage). Pour 3 tablespoons of raw material into 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 1 hour under the lid. After this, the infusion must be strained. Take 150 ml of infusion 3 times a day before meals. The course of treatment is 3 weeks.

Nettle and dandelion tincture

Take half a glass of young nettle, the same amount of dandelion along with roots, leaves, buds, 1 tbsp. wormwood and 1 tbsp. calamus root. Pass everything through a meat grinder and add 0.5 liters of vodka to the green mass. Leave to infuse for 10 days in a warm place. Strain and take the tincture 1 tsp. in 50 ml of water in the morning and evening 30 minutes before meals. This tincture tones the blood and cleanses it. You will feel an extraordinary surge of strength.

Golden root (Rhodiola rosea) to relieve fatigue, overwork, to increase performance and endurance.

The roots are used as medicinal raw materials. They are harvested from the end of flowering until the fruits fully ripen. The roots should not be dried in the sun. Prepare a tincture of golden root with vodka (1:10). Drink 10 drops per dose 2-3 times a day. Course – 21 days. When taking golden root extract, healthy people experience increased attention and memory, and the condition of patients with neuroses improves. In those suffering from hypotension, blood pressure is normalized. Golden root extract is contraindicated in cases of agitation, hypertensive crises, and insomnia.

Leuzea from increased fatigue, depression, poor appetite, irritability, headache.

Leuzea tincture: infuse 100 g of finely chopped root in 0.5 liters of 70% alcohol for two weeks, strain. Take 20 drops in a spoon of water three times a day for 25 minutes. before meals. The course of treatment is three weeks.

Tea for apathy and fatigue

For tea, all plants must be dry! Take 1 tsp. spoons of cornflower and St. John's wort flowers, add 1 tsp. motherwort. Brew everything 3 tbsp. boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. After this, put the pan with herbs on low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. After this, the medicine can be strained. Take this decoction 1/3 tbsp. Once a day, half an hour after meals. Take the medicine for 10 days, and then take a break for 10 days. After this, repeat the course of treatment. In total, I carried out 4 courses of treatment with breaks. The improvement will become noticeable after the second course: the headache will stop hurting, tone will appear, eternal apathy and fatigue will disappear.

Include bananas in your diet

Eat 1 banana daily. Bananas contain the alkaloid harman, the basis of which is the “drug of happiness” - mescaline. Bananas are an excellent way to combat depression.

Energy drinks

Recipe No. 1 Grind a ripe banana, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, half a tablespoon of ground nuts (walnuts or pine), 1 teaspoon of crushed sprouted wheat grains and 1.5 tbsp. milk. This drink is very tasty and nutritious. It satisfies hunger, improves mood, performance and improves memory. You can add 1-2 tsp to it. honey, which is also a very powerful source of energy.

Recipe No. 2 Add 1 tsp to a glass of purified, unboiled water (you can buy still mineral water). honey, juice from 1/4 lemon and 1/2 tsp. (or 1 tablet) royal jelly. Stir and drink in the morning on an empty stomach, start breakfast no earlier than 30 minutes later. If you are not allergic to bee products, you can safely drink this drink of youth and vigor for a month. This stimulates all processes in the body, including a surge of energy. And the mineral composition will enrich the body’s nutrition at the cellular level.

Tincture of Jerusalem artichoke flowers

Tincture recipe. Jerusalem artichoke flowers can be taken either fresh or dried, but they must first be crushed. The flowers must be filled with 70-proof alcohol in a ratio of 1:10. Place the jar in a dark place and leave at room temperature for 2 weeks. Strain. Take the tincture 30 drops 3 times a day after meals. By using the tincture regularly, you will soon feel a surge of strength and health.

Dodder seeds will restore strength and vigor even to frail old people

In case of senile weakness, to improve well-being in the East, since ancient times, the seeds of dodder, a leafless parasitic plant with thin reddish stems, similar to bundles of thick threads, have been used. A particularly fast and strong effect is achieved by mixing dodder seeds with lemongrass berries and mumiyo. Even very weakened old people quickly gain strength with regular intake of the mixture: dodder seeds - 6 tsp, Schisandra chinensis berries - 2 tsp, mumiyo - 1 g (per 8 tsp of mixture). To prepare the decoction, take two teaspoons of a mixture of dodder seeds and lemongrass berries, chop them and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Then add a piece of mummy weighing 0.2 g (about the size of a wheat grain) to a glass of broth. Leave the mixture for 30 minutes, covering with a warm handkerchief. The strained decoction should be taken in two doses (100 g per dose) before meals in the first half of the day. After 14-15 hours, it is better not to take the decoction if there is no need to stay awake until late at night. The course of treatment is 20 days, then a 20-day break and repeating the mixture for another 20 days.

Recipe from the Austrian doctor Rudolf Breuss for depression, nervous and mental disorders.

Kefir with honey will relieve

Mix 0.5 cups of water and kefir plus 2 tsp. honey Drink before bed. The product is excellent!

A mixture that will relieve depression

Honey (9 parts) mixed with alcohol tincture of propolis helps well against depression. (1 part). Take 2 tsp at night before bed with green tea. mixtures. The result will exceed all your expectations.

Nutrition and exercise for depression:
  • Wholemeal bread. But eat the bread before the meat or cheese. It’s good if this meat is chicken or tuna.
  • Drink 6-8 glasses of water every day. This will help get rid of drowsiness. Meat (beef) maintains the saturation of the body's cells with oxygen and thus charges it with energy.
  • Consumption of bananas reduces excitability and improves sleep. And if you don't like bananas, you can replace them with nuts, beans, leafy greens and sprouted wheat grains.
  • Chocolate has a beneficial effect on mood. A cup of coffee gives energy and clarity of thought for 2 hours. But too much coffee can make you tired and irritable.
  • And such an exercise will help banish bad thoughts. Sit up straight, bring your feet and palms together, but do not tense up. Breathe calmly and deeply. As you exhale, expel the heavy waste energy from yourself. After 20 exercises, you are again charged for success.
Advice for fatigue

If any of you feel tired (heaviness in the head, lack of clarity and clarity in consciousness), advice on how to get rid of these unpleasant sensations. You need to take ice and add cold water to it. And fill the other vessel with as hot water as you can stand. And start a very simple procedure that will refresh your head and make it clear. Briefly place one hand in a bowl of ice and the other in a bowl of hot water. Then quickly switch hands. The same as from the steam room into the snow, and from the snow into the steam room. Do this 10-15 times. And in a few minutes you will feel your head clearing up, and you will be able to get to work with renewed vigor.

Art therapy in the treatment of depression

Read about art therapy on the forum

Benefits of coffee for men

Experts have thoroughly studied the issue of the effect of coffee on male potency, although they are divided into two camps. The former consider Arabica, Robusta, Liberica and other varieties of this product to be the most powerful aphrodisiacs, allowing them to awaken sensuality and strengthen erections even in the most untemperamental representative of the stronger sex. The latter are confident that the alkaloids contained in coffee beans act as aggressors that disrupt the functioning of the cardiovascular system, which has an extremely negative effect on erectile function.

In addition, the effect of instant coffee on potency is not discussed, since even high-quality varieties of the gourmet drink temporarily suppress testosterone production. Thanks to this hormone, a man becomes mentally balanced, strong, courageous, sexually healthy, resilient and active. If there is not enough testosterone in the body, this will lead to decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.

In limited quantities, coffee has a positive effect on potency and the body:

  • when consumed, hormones of pleasure and happiness are produced;
  • a caffeine-containing drink reduces the risk of depression and diabetes;
  • Regular consumption of coffee reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer;
  • there is evidence that coffee prevents the development of blepharospasm and cataracts;

A cup of coffee, brewed Turkish or prepared in a coffee machine:

  • speeds up metabolism;
  • promotes brain function;
  • gives the body a boost of energy and vigor;
  • increases performance;
  • sharpens vision, hearing, smell;
  • strengthens the immune system;
  • reduces the effect of allergens;
  • stabilizes the gastrointestinal tract;
  • reduces the frequency of constipation;
  • counteracts obesity;
  • rejuvenates body cells.

Sweet killer

According to the same Consumer Reports, Red Bull and Monster contain about 27 grams of sugar per can. Rockstar brings this figure to 30 grams. One teaspoon contains about 5 grams. That is, imagine that 6 teaspoons of sugar were added to one bottle of energy drink. Why is this being done? And should we be afraid of problems with teeth, which is what mothers so often like to scare with a sweet tooth?

When glucose enters the bloodstream, insulin and sugar levels instantly jump to impossible heights. The person's mood rises. He feels good and has fun. Together with invigorating substances, you want to move mountains. The only problem is that the effect is short-term. And behind him comes fatigue, even greater than before. The nervous system has suffered increased stress, and the body requires rest. But the man drinks another can of energy drink. Because “something is making me sleepy again.” By the way, a similar mechanism of metabolic processes occurs if you drink coffee with Coca-Cola, albeit on a smaller scale.

If blood sugar levels are constantly elevated, hyperglycemia develops. And caries is even the least of the troubles. This condition depresses brain function, leading to dementia, and also provokes diabetes.

Almighty caffeine

Caffeine in high doses causes a jump in blood pressure and so-called caffeine intoxication. This condition is characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm, which, in turn, provokes a heart attack. This is why 5-Hour Energy has been fatal so many times. In view of such information, it is not difficult to guess that coffee and energy drink are far from the best combination. This should be remembered!

Energy drinks on sale

If we combine caffeine and sugar, we get a water imbalance. Glucose prevents the body from processing water normally, and caffeine has a diuretic effect. That is, a person will excrete more water than he consumed.

Of course, consuming coffee with an energy drink is not fatal for a healthy person. The main thing is not to overdo it. Otherwise, the consequences described above will occur. It should be understood that a jar of an invigorating drink is not a panacea for fatigue. The depressed state of the nervous system is treated in one way - sleep. It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle in general, drink plain water, eat right and give your brain a mental workout. Then you will feel good.

Chemistry of energy

According to one of the authors of Wiki, energy drinks are non-alcoholic or low-alcohol drinks, advertising of which promotes their ability to stimulate a person’s physical and intellectual abilities (not literally). Be that as it may, an energy drink is, first of all, a mixture of chemical components that affect the functioning of the human body. In principle, substances that tone the body have been known to the population of our planet for quite a long time. In the East they consume coffee, in Asia they drink tea, in South America they drink the unusual drink mate, which I will definitely mention later, in Africa they eat cola nuts. In the North-Eastern part of Asia, people are addicted to various stimulant plants: ginseng, eleutherococcus, Chinese lemongrass and aralia.

The first energy drinks appeared at the end of the 20th century, when the “inspiring” Red Bull hit the market. Of course, the Pepsi and Cola conglomerates immediately sensed the threat and began producing their energy drinks - Burn and Adrenaline Rush. Today, with energy drinks, things are not as smooth as they used to be. A couple of overdoses, a couple of deaths, and the governments of different countries sensed the threat. In some countries, energy drinks can only be bought at a pharmacy; in Russia there is an entire article of the law that specifies restrictions on components and sales rules.

The composition of all energy drinks is approximately similar. The origins lie in sucrose and glucose. Sucrose is regular sugar and is broken down into carbohydrates, the body's main source of energy. Glucose is quickly absorbed into the blood and supplies energy to all vital organs. Glucose is also closely related to adrenaline, which is known to stimulate the cardiovascular system. Tonic substances include caffeine (mateine, theine, etc.), theobromine (cocoa alkaloid), taurine, guarana, carnitine and many others. Energy drinks also contain a heavy dose of vitamins.

Caffeine is the most popular component of energy drinks, which is a powerful psychostimulant. It gives a temporary effect (about 1-2 hours) - relieves fatigue, drowsiness, accelerates the pulse, etc.

Studies have shown that among people who regularly drink coffee, the suicide rate is significantly lower than among those who neglect this drink.

Theobromine is a cocoa alkaloid that is found in small doses even in chocolate. In principle, the substance is poisonous, but after chemical treatment it is quite tonic.

Taurine is a derivative of cysteine ​​(an amino acid). Stimulates the activity of the nervous system, accelerates metabolism, etc. It is synthesized in the body independently.

Carnitine is something like a B vitamin. It is synthesized in the body independently and affects metabolism.

Ginseng and guarana are natural stimulants found in plants. They contain the same caffeine, so the effect is similar.

Mate – contains matein, which has the same effect as coffee.

In general, the list could go on forever. In one jar of energy, almost the entire periodic table. I don’t think it’s worth telling how all these components work. In a nutshell, caffeine-like substances accelerate the blood, which already contains a shock dose of vitamins and other “energy” substances that accelerate metabolism, the breakdown of carbohydrates, and brain and muscle function. But this is, in essence, the removal of a large amount of energy from the body overnight, after which total fatigue sets in.

Public ban

By 2010, six states had banned the sale of Four Loco energy drink. The restriction was associated with the death of people who were hospitalized after drinking this drink. Most of those who died were students.

Four Loco is a mixture of caffeine, alcohol, taurine and guarana. Its other name is “real”, properly brewed coffee, and not its instant substitute, which has 2 times less caffeine.

5 hours of energy

Be that as it may, these examinations always differ from official information taken from the websites of manufacturing companies. Moreover, the comparison is always not in favor of the latter. In addition, the announced Five-Hour Energy is made with guarana, a plant containing a lot of caffeine and taurine. Separately, each of the components is quite useful. Caffeine has an invigorating effect. Taurine supports the nervous system and stabilizes salt levels in the blood. But what happens if you hit the body all together, add coffee, and also take into account that all energy drinks contain an overwhelming amount of sugar?

Where does the “energy effect” come from?

From the internal reserves of the body and nothing more. Energy drinks mobilize the waste of a person’s own energy reserves - when the effect wears off (and it lasts up to 1 hour), the strength will become even less than before use.

Belyaevsky: “You need to understand that an energy drink does not provide energy from the outside, it wastes your own energy, your resources. Roughly speaking, you have a certain amount of energy that is slowly consumed to maintain metabolism and stimulate the central nervous system. This energy appears and splits in you. And the energy drink does not provide additional energy.

Yes, there are carbohydrates, but there is also caffeine, which speeds up metabolism. If at this moment you do not eat anything additional, do not consume any other carbohydrates, then only your energy will be consumed, and faster than usual. It's like with a car - you can drive slowly, or you can accelerate all the time. Fuel consumption will be completely different. It’s the same here – the energy drink invigorates you for a while, about an hour, and then it will get even worse. There will be a hole because you spent more energy than planned.”

Prices for coffee and energy drinks: which is more harmful to the budget?

250-330 ml cans of Red Bull or Burn cost approximately 90–100 rubles. Do you need two jars overnight? For 150–200 rubles you can buy a 250 gram pack of coffee. If you consider that for one cup the standard amount of ground coffee is 7 g (a heaping teaspoon or one pour into the coffee machine), it turns out that you get approximately 35 cups from one pack. So if we are talking about budget and savings, the question of what is worse, coffee or energy drink, is not even worth it.

If you buy a drink in a coffee shop (like you would grab an energy drink in a store), a serving of Americano will cost the same 80–100 rubles. But without chemical additives, a natural product. If you buy a drink from a coffee machine in a store, it will be even cheaper.

Why are energy drinks harmful?

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1.

Drinking more than 2 cans of energy drink per day can significantly increase your blood pressure and may also increase your blood sugar levels. The result is hypertension and diabetes.

2.

Since deaths after consuming energy drinks have been officially recorded in Europe, in some countries they can only be purchased in pharmacies.

3.

The vitamins contained in energy drinks do not form a balanced complex.

4.

If a person suffers from a disease of the heart, blood vessels, nervous system, pancreas or liver, then consuming energy drinks will only worsen the situation. The same applies to those who are predisposed to the above diseases.

5.

The energy drink itself does not provide energy, but opens the channels of the body where internal resources are contained. As a result of using energy reserves, the body is depleted, a person may experience nervous overexcitation, and with frequent use, fatigue increases, insomnia, irritability appear, a person is more prone to nervous breakdowns and depression.

6.

With regular consumption of energy drinks, the body gets used to caffeine and over time asks for a larger dose, and a large dose of caffeine depletes the body and encourages frequent urination, and this in turn removes salts from the body (in a fairly large volume).

7.

A large concentration of B vitamins can lead to disruption of the nervous system, increase heart rate, lead to tremors in the limbs and greatly weaken the body.

8.

The dose of amino acids taurine and glucuronolactone in one can of energy drink exceeds the daily norm by 500 times. And if you consider that they are consumed together with caffeine, then such a mixture can lead to severe exhaustion of the human nervous system.

9.

Caffeine and other ingredients in energy drinks irritate the stomach lining, which means your risk of developing stomach ulcers and gastritis increases.

10.

Energy drinks are high in sugar, which means high in calories. Caffeine, as a stimulant, can cause anxiety, nausea, dehydration and increased heart rate.

11.

Between 2007 and 2014, in the US alone, the number of people hospitalized due to energy drink use doubled. These data were shared by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Energy drinks mask the effects of alcohol

Alcohol “invigorates” only the first time; when consumed in large doses, it has a depressive effect: a person feels tired and drowsy, which often prompts him to stop drinking and go to sleep. However, caffeine masks the depressive effects of alcohol, and a person drinking such a cocktail feels more alert than if he drank alcohol alone.

As a result, you may drink more than you would like, more than your body can handle, and become more intoxicated, increasing your risk of alcohol-related harm. According to a 2014 study published in The Journal of Pediatrics, teens and young adults ages 15-23 who mix alcohol with energy drinks are four times more likely to have episodes of severe alcohol abuse than those who simply drink alcohol. The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs published a study in 2022 that found that when drinking alcohol with energy drinks, people are more likely to engage in risky behavior such as engaging in unprotected sex, driving drunk, or riding as a passenger with a drunk driver. fight, get injured while drunk.

Some scientists believe that the combination of alcohol and energy components can be compared to drugs in terms of danger. According to a 2016 study conducted at Purdue University in the United States and published in the journal PLOS One, regular consumption of caffeinated alcoholic beverages by adolescents leads to behavioral and neurochemical changes that are not observed with alcohol and caffeine alone, and are reminiscent of those that occur with cocaine use. However, it is worth noting that this study was not conducted on humans, but on teenage mice.

Soda and Coffee Mixing Ideas - Recipes

You can make your own energy drink from cola and coffee using both soluble granules and natural mixtures of high-quality, optimally roasted beans. There are different recipe options with the addition of additional components for taste and aroma. You need to experiment, but in moderation.

Option one. They use brewed natural coffee with Coca-Cola. You need to prepare the drink using a mixture of coffee beans of your favorite variety, enjoying the aroma and taste of the drink. The process begins with brewing coffee. To do this, use a Turk, a coffee machine or a regular saucepan.

When brewing coffee, do not allow it to boil, removing it from the heat when foam forms. To prepare a cocktail, the coffee is filtered to remove traces of grounds, cooled, mixed with 50 ml of cola, a little cream is added for taste and ice. The cocktail is served in a tall glass.

Option two. You will need instant coffee granules and cola. In this case, preparing the drink will take less time, the proportions of the ingredients will remain virtually unchanged. Also used:

  • coffee for preparing one serving (1-2 teaspoons);
  • cola - 50 ml;
  • water - 125 ml;
  • cream - a teaspoon;
  • ice.

Just as in the first case, soda is mixed with pre-prepared and cooled instant coffee, cream and ice are added.

Option three. Alcoholic cocktail for gourmets. In addition to coffee (it is better to use natural coffee), add 50 g of cognac to this recipe. To prepare two servings you will need 400 g of cola, 3-4 tablespoons of instant coffee or two servings of natural espresso, alcohol. All components are mixed (the coffee is pre-cooled), ice is added. Cognac can be replaced with liqueur to taste, brandy, whiskey and even regular vodka.

Option four. Low-health, high-calorie and even dangerous, but tasty and invigorating - coffee with cola and a scoop of ice cream. This recipe for coffee with cola can be used extremely rarely, although the effect of it is so vivid that the impressions of the preparation and tasting process will remain for a long time.

The preparation procedure is extremely simple. At the initial stage, coffee is prepared in your favorite way, without adding sugar. By the way, if you mix cola with natural coffee from a high grade and properly roasted beans, the taste of the cocktail will be brighter and the aroma will be persistent.

A drink made from coffee beans or granules is cooled, poured into a tall glass, and cola is added. The final chord of the explosive composition will be a scoop of your favorite ice cream, which can be sprinkled with chocolate chips, cinnamon or vanilla sugar for decoration and taste.

All the cocktails listed above are served with a straw and while enjoying the bright taste and effect, do not forget about the permissible norm and dangerous consequences for the body.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=-pCGIS3CQuQ

How much do you need to drink to reach your caffeine limit?

To answer this question, you need to know how much caffeine is in each cup/can/bottle you drink. This information is contained in Figure 1, but for those who find it difficult to concentrate without caffeine, as well as for adherents of a mono-diet (like starting the day with coffee from McDonald's, they won't take anything else caffeinated in their mouth) there is also Figure 2.

Rice. 2 How many and what drinks can you drink so as not to exceed the daily caffeine limit of 400 mg.

Billionaire brands: which one is more successful?

In 2018 alone, the total sales of energy drinks in the United States reached $11 billion. The best-selling brand in the States is Red Bull ($4.6 billion), in second place is Monster ($4.1 billion), the rest are significantly behind the leaders. The situation in the world is as follows:

1. Red Bull2. Monster3. Rockstar Zero Carb4. Eastroc Super Drink 5. Hi-Tiger 6. Lucozade 7. NOS 8. Oronamin9. Burn 10. Adrenalin Rush

The Red Bull company was founded by the Austrian Dietrich Mateschitz in the early 80s, but the recipe for the drink was not his; The basis was the energy drink Krating Daeng (translated as Red Bull), which Dietrich met in Thailand.

Krating Daeng was popular among Thai truckers and workers - it was good for reducing drowsiness and adding energy. Mateschitz accidentally tried the drink in Thailand and was surprised to find that the energy drink helped cope with jet lag - jet lag. Together with the drink's producer Chaleo Juvidja, Mateschitz founded the new Red Bull company and launched a modernized version of Krating Daeng in the European market in 1987.

In 2008, Forbes included Juvidja and Mateschitz in the list of the richest people in the world in 260th place with an approximate fortune of $4 billion. In 2022, almost 7 billion cans of the drink will be sold worldwide.

The composition of Red Bull energy drink is richer than Lucozade: carbonated water, taurine, caffeine, B vitamins (B3, B5, B6, B12), sucrose, glucose, sweeteners, acidity regulators, dyes, flavors. One 250 ml can of Red Bull contains about 26 g of sugar - just over 5 teaspoons.

But there is a sugar-free option - Red Bull Sugar Free, which does not even contain sweeteners.

Manufacturers promise that the drink will relieve fatigue and drowsiness, increase vigor and tone.

general information

Coffee has a long history. Initially it was used by Sofia monks, and in the XIV century. residents of the Middle East tried it. In Russia, the tradition of drinking an aromatic invigorating drink in the morning was founded by Peter I. Today, over 0.5 million cups of coffee are drunk in the world, and in terms of sales it is second only to oil.

Energy drinks became popular in Europe in the 80s. last century. They began to appear on Russian shelves in the next decade. Despite the invigorating effect, drinks can cause significant harm to health.

Coffee

After sleep, people all over the world begin their morning ritual: brewing coffee in cups and pots; Enjoy and absorb the energy of ground grains or instant powder.

The caffeine in the drink, affecting the nervous system, motivates it to work actively. A tired or sleepy body feels a surge of strength: the brain begins to think faster, metabolism accelerates, and the endocrine glands are activated - thyroid, pancreas and adrenal.

People are used to drinking coffee in the morning on an empty stomach, which should not be done. This increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid, which will corrode the walls of the stomach.

Coffee invigorates for an average of 2 hours. To prolong the effect, you can drink 2 more servings with an interval of 3 hours, but with snacks.

Energetik

This drink falls into the high-calorie category. It is permissible to consume 1 can of 450 ml per day, containing a daily caffeine intake of 150 mg. The energy drink contains additives: taurine, sweeteners, vitamin B.

Performance lasts 3-4 hours. At the same time, 1 can is the maximum you can afford per day.

Let's sum it up

  1. From a single dose of coffee and energy drinks, the consequences usually do not appear or are mild if the person is relatively healthy.
  2. There will be no overdose of caffeine, but individual reactions to combinations of components are possible.
  3. You can drink an energy drink after coffee 4-6 hours later, it will be safe. This also works in the opposite direction.
  4. If you add coffee to an energy drink, it will not taste good. Brewing and infusing is the same, but it still doesn’t make sense.
  5. Is it possible to have coffee with milk after an energy drink? No. The liquid will coagulate in the stomach.

You won't get any super effect from the mix. If you need a powerful dose of a stimulant to perk you up, choose one (hint: coffee is definitely healthier than energy drinks). And once again: even if you feel very bad, you won’t die from this unless you have a serious allergy, so rinse your stomach or call an ambulance if it’s very bad and scary, and they will help you.

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Summarize

Combining alcohol with energy drinks can be dangerous, but this does not stop lovers of such cocktails (and some simply drink everything that is poured). It’s unlikely that “24-hour partygoers” will listen to our advice, but we still recommend:

  • monitor the amount of consumption: caffeine masks the sedative effect of alcohol, and you can easily miss the moment when you already have enough;
  • ask what is included in the cocktail, and, if possible, refuse cocktails containing energy components;
  • Pair drinking with food to slow the absorption of alcohol and therefore the onset of intoxication, and drink more water, as caffeine increases the dehydrating effect of alcohol.
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