Energy drinks have been dominating the energy drink industry for quite some time, they’re becoming more and more popular every day.
Energy drinks are replacing coffee which used to be the only source of energy, they’re being consumed at a high rate by adults as well as teenagers.
In addition, energy drinks contain many active ingredients, however, the main one is always caffeine. Caffeine is derived from several sources, like guarana and green tea.
Caffeine is a stimulant and as energy drinks often include huge doses of it, they possess the power to wipe out the morning sleepiness and afternoon tiredness.
Energy drinks provide a boost of energy and the caffeine in them helps as it enhances mental and physical performance, leading to increased productivity.
While energy drinks have many benefits, making you taller isn’t one of them, however, the caffeine in them can cause effects on growth and development.
Energy drinks come at a cost, they have several side effects on the human body which we’ll talk about in this article, so buckle up and keep on reading.
Let’s begin!
Contents
When Did Energy Drinks Come and What Do They Contain?
The origin of energy drinks can be traced back to the 1800s when scientists found the stimulating effects that the Guarana plant possesses.
The first energy drink was created by Japan in 1962, however, they prefer to use the term “energizing tonic” for their energy drink which was called Lipovitan.
Energy drinks as the same as soft drinks, but with a significant dose of caffeine. The typical amount of caffeine that most drinks use is only 80 mg per 8 ounces.
The most common ingredients that you can find in energy drinks are caffeine, sugar, taurine, and vitamins.
There’re hundreds of energy drinks, but none of them could compete with Red Bull. Red Bull is the most popular one out there!
Undoubtedly, Red Bull is one of the oldest energy drinks. While it matters what energy drinks contain, it’s also significant to be aware of how much those ingredients are added which you can see on the back of the can.
Here’s a table for the nutritional facts of Red Bull so that you can have an idea:
| Red Bull 8.4 fl oz | Nutrients Contents |
| Energy | 110 calories |
| Caffeine | 80 mg |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) | 0 g (0 g) |
| Carbohydrate (Of which Sugars) | 28 g (27 g) |
| Sodium | 105 mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 22 mg |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) | 5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 5 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 5.1 µg |
As you can see Red Bull has a good amount of caffeine and vitamins, but the sugar levels are slightly higher considering the size of the can.
Does Caffeine Make You Grow Taller?
Caffeine is one of the prime active ingredients which is used in energy drinks, it stimulates the brain and the central nervous system. Moreover, it provides a required boost of energy that helps in getting through the day with a focused mind.
The alluring effects of caffeine make people develop dependency which can lead to health complications. Caffeine should only be consumed in moderation. According to the FDA, a healthy adult should only consume 400 mg of caffeine intake per day.
Furthermore, caffeine comes with benefits and side effects and there’re more side effects than benefits. Nevertheless, playing a role in making you taller isn’t one of those benefits.
Caffeine can’t possibly make you taller, but research shares that caffeine can have effects on growth and development.
Besides that, too much caffeine has been associated with several side effects that include:
- Restlessness and shakiness.
- Insomnia.
- Headaches.
- Dizziness.
- Fast heart rate.
- Dehydration.
- Anxiety.
- Dependency.
The recommended amount which is 400 mg of caffeine per day is only for a healthy person, there’s no way that a person who’s sensitive to caffeine can consume such a high dose.
Caffeine sensitivity is a serious issue and when such people consume even a small or unusual amount of caffeine, it can lead to symptoms like:
- racing heartbeat.
- headache.
- jitters.
- nervousness or anxiousness.
- restlessness.
- insomnia.
Furthermore, people who’ve high tolerance to caffeine often develop dependency which means they would require more and more caffeine to satisfy their cravings.
When they don’t, they can experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms which include:
- Headaches.
- Tiredness.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Nausea.
- Muscle pain.
- Irritability.
Does Sugar Stunt Growth?
Sugar is considered another source of energy besides caffeine, it also provides a burst of energy, but that only last for a short period.
Sugar shouldn’t be consumed in an immoderate amount because it can cause side effects. One of those side effects is that too much sugar may affect your height.
There’s research that explains that sugar kills the appetite, which means you won’t consume the foods that are beneficial for growth and development, leading to stunting your height.
Besides that, excessive consumption of sugar has several other side effects that you may want to know:
- Headaches.
- Irritability.
- Fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
- Feeling jittery or anxious.
- Feeling shaky or dizzy
- Sugar Crashes.
- Hunger.
- Bloating.
- Higher blood pressure.
- Inflammation.
- Weight gain.
- Diabetes.
- Fatty liver disease.
- An increased risk for heart attack and stroke.
Just like caffeine, sugar is also recommended to be consumed in moderate amounts. According to the AHA, women should have an intake of 25 g of sugar per and 36 g for men.
Are Energy Drinks Bad For You?
Energy drinks are bad for you when consumed in an immoderate amount, otherwise, they are not known to cause any detrimental side effects.
Nowadays energy drinks are incredibly popular, while these drinks were only marketed to adults, teenagers have got their hands on them as well.
Let’s take an example, Red Bull is one of the most consumed energy drinks, while it may look harmless, it has been linked to health complications which include:
- Can increase blood pressure and heart rate.
- It may increase type 2 diabetes risk.
- It may damage your teeth.
- It may negatively affect kidney health.
- May increase high-risk behavior.
- May lead to caffeine overdose and toxicity.
Whether it’s Red Bull or other energy drinks, you should always consume such drinks with responsibility.
What Can Make You Taller?
Being tall is considered attractive, however, not everyone is. There’s no magic potion that can magically make you 1 inch taller, nevertheless having a proper diet can promote growth.
Our bodies need all the essential nutrients that energy drinks can’t provide, which means you have to consume the actual food if you want your height to grow.
Here’s a list of foods that contain, vitamins, minerals, and protein that can help in growth:
- Beans.
- Chicken.
- Almonds.
- Leafy greens.
- Yogurt.
- Sweet potatoes.
- Quinoa.
- Eggs.
- Berries.
- Salmon.
- Milk.
Watch this video to gain more knowledge on how to grow taller.
Alternatives To Energy Drinks
Energy drinks contain many ingredients, but only caffeine and sugar have been found to cause an effect on growth and development. Thus, you should consume energy drinks that have low contents of caffeine as well as sugar.
Check out the listed energy drinks, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as well:
- Monster Energy Zero Ultra, Sugar-Free Energy Drink.
- Aspire Healthy Energy Drink, Mango Lemonade.
- Zevia Zero Calorie Energy Drink.
- Zipfizz Healthy Energy Drink Mix Hydration.
- Marquis Sugar-Free
Conclusion
- Energy drinks are not directly linked with increasing your height.
- The key to growing tall is consuming a balanced diet with the right amounts of nutrients.
- Energy drinks often contain an immoderate amount of caffeine and sugar, which can play a part in stunting growth.
- The FDA recommends 400 mg caffeine consumption in adults.
- Sugar on the other hand can kill your appetite, leading to you being full. This way you won’t consume the nutrients that are essential for your growth.
- Excessive caffeine has other side effects like jitters and anxiety.
- Caffeine-sensitive people can experience rapid heart rates when exposed to an unusual dose of caffeine.
- Moreover, caffeine withdrawal symptoms include nausea, muscle pain, and irritability.
- Energy drinks are good for you as long as you keep their consumption in moderation.