Is it bad to drink multiple energy drinks in one sitting? for an experiment?

Question

Hi,

I'm doing a research project for my end of the year project for AP Chemistry. I basically was researching about ingredients and stuff, history, etc. But I think it would be cool if i conducted an experiment on myself similar to that movie "Supersize Me".

Is it safe for me to drink about 5 energy drinks in one sitting, such as Monster, red bull, 5hour energy. etc. to conduct the test and see if i get anyof the sideffects.

I have never drank energy drinks before, because i've been sorta against them.

I am considered very healthy from my doctor, i do a lot of cardiovascular exercise like I have been on varsity swim since freshman year. and i weigh about 120 lbs.

i want to know if i consume these when i'm almost dead tired and then consume about one can for like every hour or so for like a few hours. recording the data as i go along. but i want to know if this is deathly bad, like i'll need to get my stomach pumped or die.

well if it's really bad, i obviously wont.

Answer 1

In moderation most energy drinks wont have much of a bad impact on people. However, moderation is somthing that most average people can't seem to understand. We should not have more than 2 energy drinks in any day. Even the few healthy ones out there will say this. People also ignore the fact that the larger cans are 2 servings and still have a couple of those in a day.

Most energy drinks are nothing more than suped up soda. They have more sugar and caffeine than soda does and throw in some extra stuff to get you going. Some of it like the very few B vitamins most companies use and ginseng are beneficial. However stuff like taurine and guarana are very debated on exactly how bad it is to use it.

Like with sodas you get your intial buzz and then crash. The reason for this is two fold. First you get the sugar and caffeine at once and once your system is done with it it is gone. Second caffeine takes more water to process than a caffeinated drink provides so it has a dehydrating effect. When we are dehydrated be become tired and lethargic. It is our body's way of keeping us from overexerting ourselves and overheating which can damage organs.

Normally to help offset this crashing effect it is important to drink water 15 - 30 minute after having a caffeinated drink. Water can energize us as proper hydration can increase motabolism and energy levels by 3%. If you feel tired then drink 2 glasses of water. If after 15 minutes you feel better you were just dehydrated. If you are still tired then it may be time for an energy drink.

I use XS Energy for several reasons, one of which is health. They pioneered giving energy through B vitamins 6 years ago and not others like 5 Hour Energy are following suit. They have 0 sugar, 0 carbs, and 8 calories. They have caffeine free versions but even the caffeinated ones don't contain a jacked up amount like most energy drinks do. Even XS recemonds against having more than 2 in a day, let alone a sitting.

Now if you drink 5 in a sitting is it 5 servings or 5 cans. Some of the larger cans may mean you ger more than 5 servings. Doing this you will get a giant amount of sugar, caffeine and GOD only knows what else that most of the companies stick in there. You will also consume a whole bunch of calories too.

I would expect that you would be extremely jittery and edgy. You may even get an upset stomach and become nautious and will undoubtedly get a big headach. The possibility of severe dehydration will not be pleasant. A one time experiment like this will not have many of the longer term effects like sleeping problems, kidney problems and possibly diabetes, heart problems and weight problems. But I don't think you will like the results on you anyhow.

Answer 2

No. This is not a good idea.

In addition to the insane amount of sugar you'll be consuming (which will likely give you headaches and the energy crash will be MURDER), they do a number on your stomach. I had one of these at an early morning internship once, and was on the floor 3 hours later, I was so uncomfortable.

I don't have a lot of vices, but those were one that I made sure to kick after college. I feel all the better for it!

Answer 3

First of all these energy drinks are not good for you even if you have just one. Although having one from time to time serves a purpose if you have to drive some place late at night, if you have to work late at night, if you have to study late at night etc. Drinking one on a regular bases when not needed is bad.

Having said that drinking more than one is really bad and can be out right dangerious! The problem you face is possible

    caffeine over dose and this could make you very sick or in extreme cases even kill you!

I would say just look at case studies on people who have had more than one at a time.

You personally should stay away from those and have them only for a specific purpose.

Answer 4

You do know that can potentially kill you right?

the average person should only consume a MAXIMUM of 850 mg in one day, and even that amount is highly unhealthy.

each of those energy drinks contains 250 mg of caffeine in them.

250x5= 1250 mg of caffeine=HEART ATTACK.

the caffeine could put you in cardiac arrest, or, it can house long term effects.

DONT do it.

how about you do the effect of EACH energy drink on five differe tpeople? sounds alot more sensible