WHAT'S THE BUZZ?

Everyone from truck drivers to busy execs and students rely on energy drinks for extra oomph – but they come with risks attached

- MAXINE PETERS

IT’S a quick fix if you want to shake that sluggish feeling that tends to hit in the middle of the afternoon. But while energy drinks do give you a quick boost and can enhance mental and physical performance, that burst of energy comes at a cost.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has gone so far as to say that energy drinks “may pose a danger to public health” because of the potential negative effects the stimulants in them have on the body.

So before you reach for an energy drink, here’s the low-down on what’s in them, how they work, and who should avoid them.

WHAT GIVES YOU THE ENERGY BOOST?

The kick you get comes from a combination of the following:

● large amounts of sugar

● large amounts caffeine

● B vitamins

● ginseng (a Chinese herb said to enhance well-being)

● guarana ( from a plant found in the Amazon)