Dangers of Monster Energy Drinks

Monster Energy Drinks are among the most popular drinks of a growing market of energy drinks. According to MonsterEnergy.com, Monster Energy Drinks contain 27 g sugar and an energy blend that includes caffeine, guarana, L-carnitine, inositol, glucuronolactone and maltodextrin. Monster Energy Drinks can temporarily improve your energy, alertness and focus. Despite the reported benefits, Monster Energy Drinks have several dangers you should be aware of, especially if you are sensitive to stimulants like caffeine.

Energy drinks are popular among students. (Image: Design Pics/Design Pics/Getty Images)

Increased Heart Rate

Monster Energy Drinks can raise your heart rate, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine. The University of Washington reports that caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and can increase your heart rate. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, guarana has three times the caffeine content as caffeine in coffee. According to Johns Hopkins University, in a survey of 496 college undergraduate students, 19 percent of students indicated that they experienced heart palpitations from energy drinks. The American Heart Association confirms this, noting that people consuming two energy drinks everyday experienced blood pressure and heart rate increases.

Dehydration

Another side effect of Monster Energy Drinks is dehydration. Amy Peak, an assistant professor at Butler University's College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, reports that the combination of caffeine and guarana in energy drinks can lead to dehydration. According to Brown University, the caffeine in energy drinks acts as a diuretic and can leave you severely dehydrated if you do not replace the water that is lost; this is particularly concerning if you are exercising and sweating. If you are using Monster Energy Drinks as a pre-workout dietary supplement, make sure you are properly hydrated before training and replacing lost fluid by drinking water during training.

Dangerous Combination with Alcohol

Combining alcohol with Monster Energy Drinks can have fatal results. Energy drinks have received a lot of negative press from their popularity in the party scene. According to Brown University, combining the depressant effects of alcohol with the stimulant effects in energy drinks can be dangerous. The stimulant's effects can reduce your sensation of impairment. When the stimulant's effects wear off, your blood alcohol concentration may still be raised and cause you to vomit while you sleep or make you have a reduced capacity for breathing. Northwestern University reports that Michigan, Washington and Utah have outlawed the sale of energy drinks that contain alcohol, due to the potentially fatal side effects.