Energy drink
A model drinks an energy drink as she gets ready before John Rocha's Autumn/Winter 2007 show at London Fashion Week in London Reuters/ Alessia Pierdomenico

You might think that energy drinks and exercise always go together. However, there are actually findings that show how these can be detrimental to your fitness and health for the long term. Some of the contents can be dangerous so know more about the ingredients to stay safe.

1. Too much caffeine

Energy drinks and exercise can lead to caffeine intoxication, where you might experience adverse symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, headache, heart palpitations and nervousness. More serious side effects of high caffeine intake include vomiting, disturbed sleep patterns, high blood pressure and arrhythmia. Some energy drinks can contain as much as 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving, which can lead to unpleasant results, based on a report by FitBug.

2. Too much sugar

Energy drinks and exercise can also lead to adverse results because of the high sugar content per serving. Some power drinks can contain as much as 35 grams of sugar per serving. Men are recommended to take no more than 37.5 grams of sugar per day while women should limit themselves to 25 grams only. The extra sugar will not only cause side effects but also lead to weight gain or even obesity. According to Healthy Eating, about 30 to 50 percent of young adults are fans of energy drinks, not realizing that consuming these beverages bring about certain disadvantages.

3. Dependence

Some athletes have become highly dependent or addicted to energy drinks because of the high sugar and caffeine content. When you continue to consume sugar and caffeine in high amounts, your body will increase its tolerance, requiring you to consume more over time. Your performance and stamina might be hindered unless you drink these in very large doses.

4. Other dangerous content

Power drinks also contain extra ingredients like taurine, amino acids, ginseng and others which will more likely cause negative than positive effects, such as tingling sensation, nausea, insulin imbalance and sugar crashes. You might experience having intense focus and stamina for a few minutes then suddenly crash, feeling weak and dizzy while playing sports or exercising.

These are only some of the reasons why energy drinks and exercise do not mix. Read the contents of labels first before consumption or drink water to stay safe.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at vdoctor@IBTIMES.com.au