We all know people who say they can’t function without having their cup of coffee first thing in the morning – in fact, maybe you are one of those people. Coffee and nurses, as with other shift workers, seem to go hand in hand. After all, if coffee can help get you going and keep you awake over a long night shift, then why not have some, right?
But why stop there? Some nurses don’t like coffee or tea, so they drink caffeinated sodas, like colas or Mountain Dew. Or now there’s another option: Energy drinks.
Energy drinks are loaded with ingredients such as caffeine, sugar, taurine, and some herbs like ginseng, or extra vitamins. This combination of ingredients is supposed to give you a jolt and the energy to keep going. Of course, as the power wears off, the manufacturers want you to drink another one so you can get through your day or shift.
Is it a good idea for nurses to drink these energy drinks? Are the proponents of the drinks right in saying that drinking them isn’t that different from drinking coffee? Let’s see.
Coffee’s ingredient is caffeine. If you add anything to it, like sugar and cream, that’s your choice. But you can choose to drink it black, as many people do. Caffeinated sodas contain caffeine and lots of sugar – or sugar alternatives if you buy the diet soda version. Now, compare these two types of drinks with energy drinks. Are they really alike?
Look at the size of an average energy drink can. Many of them are significantly larger than the standard soda cans, which are usually about 8 ounces. That means, not only is there more sugar per sip of the drink, there is a lot more drink to be sipped.
Dangers of Energy Drinks
The manufacturers of the energy drinks say that moderation is the key. One or two energy drinks should be your limit. However, we all know people who don’t abide by recommendations like that and will consume more than may be good for them.
Dehydration: If you’re thirsty because you’re dehydrated, what you need is water or sports drinks, not energy drinks. If you use the energy drinks as your fluid source, your body may not get the fluid it needs because of the excess sugar and carbonation.
Herbs and Medications: If you take any type of medications, you should check with your pharmacist or doctor to see if the ingredients in your energy drink may interact with your medications. This is something that some people may not consider seeing as the energy drinks are sold freely in just about any store.
Pregnancy and Nursing: There are warnings that pregnant women and those who are nursing shouldn’t drink these types of beverages.
Interruption of Sleep Cycle: If you are consuming the energy drinks to help keep you awake during a night shift or for the rest of an evening shift, you may find it particularly difficult to finally get to sleep when you’re at home. Depending on when you had your last drink and how quickly you metabolize your drink, you may end up not sleeping well and being even sleepier the next day. Which means you may drink more of the energy drink. And the cycle begins.
So, are energy drinks good for nurses? If you like them and feel they help you, as long as you drink them in moderation, it’s your choice. But, keep in mind, they may not be as benign as they seem.