Blog Archives

Energy Drinks Especially Harmful for Children and Adolescents

23/4/2015

In a recent study evidence shows that highly-caffeinated, often sugar-laden energy drinks can harm children and adolescents. Their consumption by youths under 18 can be harmful and may lead to negative health, social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes.

"Energy drink consumption has increased rapidly over the past five years, despite increasing evidence of negative immediate and long-term health effects, especially when consumed by youth under 18," says Jennifer Harris, a study author, associate professor-in-residence at UConn, and director of marketing initiatives for the Rudd Center. "Companies say these products are safe to market and sell to children as young as 12, but the evidence says otherwise."

According to the study, there is considerable evidence that energy drinks present a public health threat:

The number of hospital emergency room visits by 12- to 17-year-olds attributable to energy drink consumption increased from 1,145 in 2007 to 1,499 in 2011. Deaths also have been reported.
Calls to poison centers related to energy drinks increased from 672 in 2010 to 3,028 in 2013, with 61 percent of the calls concerning children 18 and younger. The reported effects included seizures, delirium, faster than normal heart rate, and irregular heart rhythm – all consistent with caffeine toxicity.
Energy drink consumption by youth is also associated with sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and other dangerous behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence, and sexual risk-taking.

Cardiologists urge physicians, parents educators to monitor adolescent’s energy drink consumption more closely.

The rapid rise in popularity of energy drinks (EDs), particularly, among adolescents (aged 10 - 19 years) and young adults, has serious implications for heart health.

In an article published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, researchers focus on the pharmacology of EDs, adverse reactions to them, and how the marketing of these drinks as a means to relieve fatigue and improve physical and cognitive performance may be ignoring real dangers.

An international research team noted that EDs can trigger sudden cardiac deaths in young, apparently healthy individuals. For persons with underlying heart diseases, the risk of triggering sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) or other arrhythmias can be significant. Even atrial fibrillation (AF), normally uncommon in children without structural heart disease, has been observed in a 13-year-old adolescent boy during a soccer training session after ingesting EDs.

It is estimated that 31% of 12- to 19-year old adolescents regularly consume EDs. These beverages often contain high amounts of labeled caffeine. However, they can contain "masked" caffeine, in the form of guarana, for example, which comes from a Brazilian plant and is identical to caffeine found in coffee beans, but at twice the concentration. The addition of guarana and other substances such as ginseng and taurine in variable quantities may generate uncertain interactions.

0 Comments

20 Amazing Reasons to Start Your Day With Lemon Water

21/4/2015

0 Comments

20 Unbelievable Reasons To Start Your Day With Water and Lemon

Water with lemon provides the body with electrolytes which hydrate your body. As lemons contain good amount of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium and magnesium.
Water with lemon is good for the joints, reducing pain in the joints and muscles.
Warm water with lemon helps digestion as lemon contains citric acid. It interacts with other enzymes and acids which easily stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and digestion.
The liver produces more enzymes from water with lemon than from any other food.
Water with lemon cleanses the liver. Lemon juice stimulates the liver to release toxins.
Water with Lemon helps fight infections of the respiratory tract, sore throats and inflammation of the tonsils. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties of lemon.
Warm water with lemon helps regulate natural bowel movement.
Water with lemon is indispensable for the normal work of metabolism. Since lemon is a powerful antioxidant, it protects the body from free radicals and strengthens the immune system.
Water with lemon aids in proper functioning of the nervous system (as lemon has a high content of potassium). Depression and anxiety are often the result of low levels of potassium in the blood. The nervous system needs a sufficient amount of potassium to ensure sustainable signals to the heart.
Water with lemon cleanses blood, blood vessels and arteries.
Water with lemon can help lower blood pressure. A daily intake of one lemon can reduce high blood pressure by 10%.
Water with lemon creates an alkalizing effect in the body. Even if you drink it immediately before a meal, it can help your body maintain a higher level of pH. The higher the pH, the more your body is able to fight diseases.
Water with lemon is good for the skin. Vitamin C in lemon, improves our skin by rejuvenating the body. Drinking water with lemon regularly (every morning) will improve the condition of your skin.
Water with lemon helps to dilute uric acid, the built up of which leads to pain in the joints and gout.
Water with lemon is beneficial for pregnant women. Since lemons are loaded with Vitamin C, it acts as an adaptogen helping the body cope with viruses such as colds. Furthermore, vitamin C helps the formation of bone tissue of the unborn baby. At the same time, due to the high content of potassium, a mixture of water with lemon helps forming cells of the brain and nervous system of the baby.
Water with lemon relieves heartburn. For this, mix a teaspoon of lemon juice in half a glass of water.
Water with lemon helps dissolve gallstones, kidney stones, pancreatic stones, and calcium deposits.
Water with lemon helps with weight loss. Lemons contain pectin fiber, which helps suppress hunger cravings. Studies have proven people with a better alkaline diet have lost weight faster.
Water with lemon helps with tooth pain and gingivitis.
Water with lemon prevents cancer. This is due to the fact that lemons are a highly alkaline food. Multiple studies have found that cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline environment.

The Ultimate pH Solution: Balance Your Body Chemistry to Prevent Disease and Lose Weight

0 Comments

Energy Drinks Especially Harmful for Children and Adolescents

20 Amazing Reasons to Start Your Day With Lemon Water

Author

Archives