No, the redness in the eyes can not specifically be associated with drinking energy drinks.
It’s understandable why energy drinks are popular right now. They are great for anyone who needs a short energy boost to get through the day because they don’t leave you feeling fatigued or lethargic for hours.
But there is a cost associated with convenience in life, and energy drinks are no different.
I can very clearly recall my first energy drink. My friends were passing out Red Bull cans as it was our senior year of high school at that late hour. I complied, but I couldn’t help but feel a little strange after downing this strange-tasting drink.
Admittedly, it wasn’t until later that I realized what had bothered me: My eyes were redder than a shady character in a detective film. Was this normal?
Of course, caffeine is kind of known for making you feel “wired,” and eye redness (medically known as hyperemia) is one common symptom of being overly energized. But could energy drinks be causing my bloodshot eyes? Let’s find out!
Contents
What are energy drinks?
Caffeine and sugar are combined in energy drinks to offer you a surge of energy. Although they are frequently advertised as a technique to keep you awake, they can also be used to enhance attention and concentration. They have ingredients like caffeine, vitamins, and other things that help you be more alert.
Energy drinks come in many different forms, but they all have caffeine in them. Caffeine is a stimulant that can help give you more energy and focus when you need it most. It also helps keep you awake during the day.
Some energy drinks contain herbs or vitamins to help give them extra nutrients and make them more effective. Some energy drinks have ingredients such as guarana (a herb) or ginseng (a herb). These herbs help boost energy when taken with other ingredients like caffeine or B vitamins.
The ingredients in energy drinks vary by brand, but they often include:
Caffeine
Caffeine is the primary stimulant that gives you an energy boost. It works by blocking adenosine, which causes drowsiness, in the brain. An average 16-ounce can of energy drink contains up to 170-200 mg of caffeine.
According to FDA consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine daily can put you at risk for the following health issues:
- Sleeping Disorder
- Jitters
- Anxiety
- Rapid Heartbeat
- Stomach disorders
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dysphoria
Sugar
Sugar is an element in energy drinks that provides them with their spike. However, this does not imply that sugar is healthy. In reality, one of the most dangerous components of energy drinks is sugar.
Added Sugar can result in many negative effects on the body.
- Sugar can cause hyperactivity in children and adults alike.
- It can lead to obesity due to its high carbohydrate content which causes insulin resistance.
- Sugar can also lead to diabetes if consumed regularly over long periods of time.
An average energy drink can contain 24-29 grams of sugar whereas the daily limit on sugar consumption is 24 grams & 36 grams for women and men respectively. If you are a regular consumer of energy drinks then try choosing a sugar-free option instead.
Guarana
Guarana is an ingredient that is used in energy drinks. It has many benefits.
It contains caffeine, which is known to increase metabolism and burn fat, as well as tannins, which help to balance blood sugar levels. It also contains saponins, which are said to have strong antioxidant properties.
Guarana has some hidden caffeine in it, which means you should take care not to have too much of it if you’re sensitive to caffeine. The most common side effect is a nervous system reaction, which can include heart palpitations and tremble.
Be sure to keep your intake low so as not to experience any negative side effects from guarana.
B vitamins
B vitamins function as an ingredient in the energy drink to give energy. Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamine, and Biotin are all included in the vitamin B complex.
These vitamins are found in food, but they are also present in dietary supplements. They can be used for preventing and treating deficiencies, which can cause fatigue and weakness.
B vitamins play a role in maintaining healthy skin and hair and a healthy immune system. This includes helping your body produce energy.
How does Caffeine in energy drinks work?
Caffeine increases blood flow and heart rate through its interaction with adenosine receptors in our brain.
When caffeine molecules block these receptors from interacting with other chemicals in the body like epinephrine, they block those chemicals from being released into our bloodstreams; this makes us feel more alert and awake than we would otherwise be if we hadn’t consumed anything containing caffeine at all.
Do Energy Drinks make your eyes red?
You’ve probably noticed that your own eyes are a little red after drinking an energy drink. The reason for this is caffeine. Energy drinks contain a high quantity of caffeine, which can cause eye redness and irritation.
According to a study, even low doses of caffeine in milligrams can lead to increased heart rate and higher blood pressure over time. In addition, when consumed in excess amounts, caffeine has been shown to cause sleep disturbances and headaches.
Caffeine is a stimulant, and it can cause blood vessels in your eyes to expand. Energy drinks often contain caffeine, which is why they’re so caffeinated. This can lead to red eyes and the other side effects of eye strain: irritation, pain, and fatigue.
Can too much caffeine cause eye problems?
Caffeine can help your eyesight to some extent. It has the ability to relieve dry eyes, protect the retina from injury, and do other things.
However, excessive caffeine usage might also contribute to a tingling or burning sensation in your eyes. Along with eye irritation, there is an increased risk of inflammation and impaired focus, which may result in jitters.
Caffeine overuse can also cause chronic dry eye, increasing the risk of eye infections and corneal abrasions. Though moderate symptoms like lack of concentration or dry eyes aren’t considered harmful, they can cause pain and interfere with regular tasks like reading and driving.
Do energy drinks cause eye strain?
Too much caffeine in energy drinks is linked to involuntary twitches in the eyes or eyelids, which is known as myokymia. Myokymia is a condition that causes a constant twitching of the muscles of the eye, which can be uncomfortable and may lead to blurred vision.
Short-Term Defects of high caffeine in energy drinks
Too much caffeine in energy drinks is linked to reduced tear production, which can lead to dry eyes. This is because caffeine causes your body to retain water. If you’re dehydrated, your tear glands aren’t able to produce enough tears for your eyes, so they start producing more mucus instead.
Also, if you already have dry eyes, the caffeine in energy drinks could make them worse because it will increase the irritation of the surface of the eye, leading to more inflammation and further damage.
Long term Defects
Long-term caffeine overuse can have long-term complications. One study discovered that people who consume coffee or any other caffeinated beverage i.e., Energy drinks frequently per day have a higher chance of acquiring the degenerative eye condition glaucoma.
It produces a rise in ocular pressure, which might jeopardize those who already have glaucoma.
Recommendations
If you are looking for a little less caffeinated energy drinks to help you function then here are some energy drinks with moderate caffeine content;
| Brand Name | Caffeine per serving per 12 fl. oz |
| Monster Energy | 120 milligrams |
| Redbull energy drink | 110 milligrams |
| Zipfizz | 100 milligrams |
| Mountain Dew Kickstart | 69 milligrams |
| Full Throttle | 120 milligrams |
Conclusion
In conclusion, energy drinks do not necessarily make your eyes red.
- There are many other causes of red eyes, and there is no direct correlation between the two.
- However, it is still possible that the caffeine in energy drinks could cause someone to have bloodshot eyes if they are susceptible to this symptom
- Some people react to caffeine with irritability, nervousness, and jitteriness.
- Others may feel the need to eat more than usual (this is called “caffeine-induced hunger”).
- If you’re already sensitive to caffeine or if you have heart problems or high blood pressure, be careful about how much energy drink you consume.
- You might want to avoid them altogether if you take medication for these conditions.