Can the energy drinks, says report

Cans of Red Bull energy drinks displayed in a shop. (EARL S.CRYER/AFP/Getty Images)

Popular energy drinks, filled with caffeine, sugar and taurine among other energy-boosting ingredients, are at the focus of a new study highlighting their impact on human health.

A recently-released study by the Canadian Medical Association for Food Affairs has found that the organic acid taurine - meaning ‘bull' and giving popular drink Red Bull its name - reduces the efficiency of the human nervous system, according to a report by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

The drinks' high amount of caffeine is also found to increase heart pulsation among children and teenagers, and increase blood flow into the muscles - both highly hazardous to human health.

Some companies refrain from mentioning high proportions in the product supplements' specifications, KUNA stated.

The Canadian also study shows that addiction to caffeine-saturated drinks causes psychological disorders whenever the drinker refrains from drinking the beverage for some time.

The caffeine also causes high blood pressure, increases sugar in the blood, dehydration and may contribute to causing some cardiac disorders, or even nose bleeding.

Energy drinks have become widespread all over the world, and in the Gulf region where they are consumed in large quantities.

Sales of energy drinks in the hospitality sectors of the UAE and Egypt are higher than ever, according to brand representatives.

The popular energy drink Red Bull, which fronts the energy drink sector, was launched in the UAE in 1998.

Demand from emerging markets including Qatar, Bahrain and Oman have driven the Red Bull's annual growth of 15%.

In light of the associated health hazards, Canada, Australia and Denmark are a few of the countries that have moved to ban sales of the beverage to anyone under the age of 15.

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USER COMMENTS (1 COMMENTS)

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Caffeine
Posted by Rami, Dubai on Saturday 2 June 2007 at 11:00 UAE time


The amount of caffeine in every Red Bull can is exactly as the amount existing in the cup of coffee you all have on daily basis. 
I don't believe an energy drink is more harmful than the 4 cups of coffee we have on average day to day...

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