Kidney Health and Energy Drinks: Nowadays, our lifestyle has completely changed. Instead of healthy foods, we're relying on things that provide instant energy. Let's explain their dangers.

Disadvantages of energy drinks

Are Energy Drinks Harmful for Kidneys? Nowadays, people want everything to have instant results. This mindset is fueled by the energy drinks available in the market, which are marketed as providing instant energy. These drinks typically contain high amounts of sugar and caffeine, which can cause a feeling of energization upon consumption. However, this energization isn't real energy, but rather a form of stress on the body.

What did the research reveal?

The caffeine, sugar, and preservatives in energy drinks together increase inflammation in the kidneys and impair their ability to filter toxins from the blood. South Dakota State University reviewed studies conducted worldwide between 2008 and 2020. Based on more than 15 scientific studies, it was revealed that energy drinks put additional strain on the kidneys and can cause long-term damage to the kidneys, liver, and heart. Experts say that in many cases, these drinks prove to be more dangerous than alcohol and soda.

What do experts say?

According to Dr. Vimal Kumar Rai of a private super specialty hospital in Patna, while alcohol dehydrates the body and soda increases the sugar load, energy drinks are a combination of both. This simultaneously increases dehydration and blood sugar. The kidneys have to work harder, which causes the filtering units to tire, increases inflammation, and increases the risk of damage.

Energy drinks contain chemicals like high-fructose corn syrup, caffeine, taurine, artificial sweeteners, and sodium benzoate. These ingredients increase oxidative stress on kidney cells. Repeated filtering of these chemicals causes micro-injuries, which can gradually progress to chronic kidney disease.

Uric acid increases rapidly

High-fructose sugar rapidly increases uric acid in the body, which directly attacks the kidney filter. This increases the risk of kidney inflammation, high blood pressure, and stones. Synthetic sugar, on the other hand, misdirects metabolism, does not provide real energy, and increases obesity, fatty liver, and insulin resistance. Ultimately, the kidneys have to bear the entire burden of this. Daily consumption of energy drinks can trigger chronic inflammation in the body. Symptoms may not be visible initially, but kidney damage continues to occur internally. Caffeine increases blood pressure, thickens the blood, and, in the long run, reduces the filtering capacity of the kidneys.

What is the problem?

Experts say that the energy boost you feel after drinking energy drinks is actually the result of suppressing fatigue signals in the brain. The body remains tired, but the brain doesn't notice it. This can lead to hormonal imbalances, high blood pressure, and weakened immunity.

If someone consumes energy drinks daily, they should stop using them immediately. Drink 2.5–3 liters of water daily, reduce salt and processed foods, get blood pressure and kidney tests done, limit caffeine, and take a light walk daily. For natural energy, lemon water, coconut water, buttermilk, fruits, sprouts, and dried fruits are good options.