The whole purpose of an energy drink is to boost your energy and keep you wide awake right? However, if you are like me, you would notice that every time you drink an energy booster of any caffeinated liquid aimed at waking you up, it does the exact opposite. It literally is feeling like you drank a cup of chamomile tea. Weird if you ask me.
An obvious reason for this would be that you have developed a caffeine tolerance, however, what more do health experts have to say about a situation like this, when energy drinks make you sleepy immediately after drinking them? According to Proper Wild, energy drinks, primarily made up of caffeine and sugar provide a temporary boost in energy, but can also cause sleepiness.
The publication continues to mention that caffeine, a stimulant, increases performance and mental alertness by blocking the effects of adenosine, a naturally occurring chemical that induces sleep. “This effect only works for people who are new to caffeine. If you have been guzzling energy drinks or coffee in excess for a long time, the result will be the opposite. Caffeine disrupts your body’s natural processes. As a result, your brain fights back to the overstimulation by producing even more adenosine.”
Rise Science adds to the causes of this by stating that caffeinated drinks might be having an opposite effect on you because you have developed caffeine withdrawal symptoms. It is mentioned that these can include fatigue, headaches, depression, difficulty concentrating, and brain fog. These symptoms are said to worsen if you’re used to consuming large amounts of caffeine.
According to the above source, sugar crashes can also occur after consuming high-sugar energy drinks, with blood sugar levels spiking but lasting only 30-60 minutes. “Symptoms of a sugar crash include tiredness, headaches, irritability, difficulty concentrating, hunger — especially for more sugar.”
Hydration is crucial for overall well-being, but energy drinks with caffeine may cause dehydration due to their mild diuretic effect, explains Hone Health. It is then stated that this can lead to increased urination, fatigue, dizziness, and lack of focus, causing the body to lose more fluids during the day.
Also see: Why you should cut down on energy drinks
