By Kalata News,
LUSAKA April 17, 2024 – HEALTH Experts have warned that Zambians abusing energy drinks are risking their lives. In a discussion on an online chat group Doctors’ File, health experts say taking one energy drink every drink is taking one too many.
The doctors have said most of the people that abuse energy drinks end up with elevated levels of high blood pressure, sensitive skins, high irritability and risks of cardiac arrests among others.
Common among the energy drinks on the Zambian market include Mojo, Red bulls, Wild Cat,Kung Fu,Dragon among others.
The doctors warn that these drinks all contain very high levels of caffeine, and this is no secret, its right on the container!
1.Caffeine is addictive, with time you may demand higher and higher dosages.
2 Visual Effects-You may start seeing flashes in front of your eyes.
3 Hearing-You may develop ringing in your ears.
4.Skin-Your sense of pain perception and touch may be enhanced
5 Heart-Rapid heart beats are a must, irregular heartbeats may supervene.
6 Stomach-You may develop nausea, and abdominal pains.
7 Systemic-You may experience bouts of dehydration.
6 Urinary-You may develop frequent urination.
7.Breathing-Rapid breathing may develop
8 Muscles-You may develop trembling, twitching, over extension of your limbs.
9 Central nervous system effects-irritability, anxiety, restlessness, confusion, delirium, headaches, insomnia, sleep deprivation.
These energy drinks have now found their way into schools were local tuck shops are not stocking these drinks.
“I have been discouraging the sale of energy drinks from the school tuck shop on several meetings, but you know how we Zambians are with money. Our pupils are so addicted to energy drinks and no one seems to care,” said one health expert.
Another expert comments, “A lot of people are abusing these drinks, people take them without even knowing why these drinks are on the market to start with. Their intended market are avid sportsmen they take them before working out. Most people don’t know how much caffeine is in them some already have high blood pressure and taking these drinks elevate their blood pressure to dangerous levels. People have exited this earth because of these drinks. Stay away before you become addicted if you crave them everyday that’s a sign of addiction wean yourself.”
Another added, “Energy drinks contain caffeine which is a stimulant, it keeps the body alert and high but caffeine is addictive, and one may become dependent on the energy drinks. When you have not taken the body will feel something else. Additionally, it can worsen or increase the risk of having Gastritis or worsen it’s symptoms.”
It is yet to be seen how the regulatory authority will deal with the increasing levels of energy drink abuse in Zambia.