While having a lack of energy or sensations of fatigue is common for many adults, and while the cause of drowsiness or fatigue may be easily identifiable, such as not getting enough sleep, this sensation can disrupt your daily life.
Because a lack of energy can seriously reduce your productivity at work, school or just in life, energy drinks have become a staple among millions of adults. Like any natural supplement, energy drinks can cause adverse side effects. One of the most common side effects of caffeine-containing energy drinks is numb hands.
Energy Drink Ingredients:
While the exact ingredients found in an energy drink will vary according to the manufacturer and intended purpose of the beverage, most energy drinks have similar ingredient profiles.
One of the most common, and highly concentrated, ingredient found in an energy drink is caffeine. On average, energy drinks contain 80 to 140 milligrams of caffeine per eight ounce serving. It is important to note that the majority of energy drinks contain at least two servings, or 16 ounces.
Another common ingredient in an energy drink is guarana. Guarana is used because it features not only a high percentage of caffeine, but also other stimulating compounds. Other stimulating ingredients include green tea extract, ginseng, yerba mate and taurine.
Evidence of Numb Hands:
According to the University of Missouri Wellness Resource Center, if you experience numb hands after consuming an energy drink it is more than likely caused by an adverse reaction due to one or more of the ingredients found in the energy drink. Since caffeine directly stimulates the central nervous system, if you consume a high concentration of this compound then your nervous system becomes unstable. By destabilizing your central nervous system, you can experience abnormal sensations such as tingling or numbness if your hands.
According to Drugs.com, if your hands become numb or other parts of your body start to tingle after consuming an energy drink then you should seek out medical attention immediately as you may be having a serious side effect.
Notable Side Effects:
While this article is primarily about numb hands due to energy drinks, these beverages can also cause other severe side effects. Some of the more common side effects experienced after drinking an energy drink include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, nervousness, irritability and nausea. More serious energy drink side effects include vomiting, tightness in your chest, diarrhea and tremors.
References Used:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fatigue/MY00120
Mayo Clinic: Fatigue
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-14/energy-drink-ingredients-may-pose-risk-to-children-study-says.html
Bloomberg: Energy Drink Ingredients…
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/caffeine-side-effects.html
Drugs.com: Caffeine Side Effects
http://wellness.missouri.edu/docs/BBs/2011_EnergyDrinks.pdf
University of Missouri Wellness Resource Center: What’s in Energy Drinks?
