Too Much Energy Drinks Causes Tooth Erosion

Guess what I'm drinking in my 2 water bottles in 2001?

My patient who is a dentist tells me he is seeing a lot of younger patients having erosion in their teeth.  The features of their particular erosion is non-bacterial acid induced loss of dental hard tissue. A notable contribution is due to increased consumption of acidic drinks, especially energy drinks. 

Fortunately, I never had any Red Bull or Monster in my water bottles when I was still training seriously or racing.

Like I wrote previously, energy drinks are thought to be beneficial for performance. My platoon mates in the army when we were doing national service, would frequently load up with energy drinks such as Red Bull. There was no Monster drink then. They would consume it especially in the morning before physical training and Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) training sessions. Those who were less fit tended to count on those energy drinks. One of them commented that without Red Bull he would definitely fail his fitness tests.

Some of them would also mix Red Bull with alcohol when they book out on Fridays so they can party the night away.

This was similar when I was in university. Some of my classmates did the same when cramming for an exam or writing a paper.

Energy drinks from the study

A paper published last year (Martinez et al, 2024) was investigating the pH of energy (pictured above) and pre workout/ sports drinks (below) and the consumption frequency and habits among amateur athletes. Their study analyzed the pH of 67 commercially available energy drinks and pre workout/ sports drinks. There were 43 energy drinks and 24 pre workout/ sports drinks.

Pre workout/ sports drinks

The authors also did a survey among 113 amateur athletes who completed an anonymous questionnaire to find out about the use of different beverages during various sports activities. The participants participated in strength training, endurance sports and some of them participated in both. They reported consuming energy and/ or pre workout/ sports drinks before, during or after workout.

Ready for the results? The average pH for the beverages studied was 3.3. The pH level at which enamel erosion begins is approximately 5.5, which is known as the critical pH. When the pH in our mouths drop below this level, the enamel starts to dissolve, leading to tooth decay.

51 percent of the participants surveyed said, they consumed at least one of the beverages studied. Most participants aged ≤ 29 consumed them 3-5 times each week while the older participants consumed them 1-2 times per week.

Shocked? The study showed that ALL the  energy drinks and the majority of pre workout beverages evaluated have erosive pH levels that can damage tooth enamel. Please remember this when using energy drinks or pre workout/ sports drinks. 

I always carry water with me during my bike rides instead of energy or sports drinks. Drinking plain water after your sports drinks is a good way to mitigate the erosive nature of the energy drinks. You may also want to brush your teeth when you get home.

Reference

Marthiez Lm, Lietz, LL, Tarin CC et al (2024). Analysis Of The pH Levels In Energy And Pre-Workout Beverages And Frequency Of Consumption: A Cross-Sectional Study. BMC Oral Health. 24,1082. DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04843-0.

Take your pick

This Is No Bull .....

Energy drinks from Cold Storage

When I was doing my National Service in the army, some of my platoon mates who were having issues with their fitness would frequently load up with "energy drinks" such as Red Bull. Especially in the morning before physical training and/ or Standard Obstacle Course (SOC) training sessions. They definitely did before the SOC tests too.

I'll ask them why and they'll say that it gives them a "boost" to be able to finish the training strongly or pass the test. Some of them will also mix Red Bull with alcohol when they book out on Fridays so they can party the rest of the night away.

Later while studying in university, I found out some of my classmates did the same when cramming for an exam or writing a paper. A published paper found that 51 percent of college students consumed at least a bottle of energy drink a month.

So I'm sure you would have seen, heard or perhaps even tried some of the above. Well, if energy drinks such as Red Bull is your drink then you may want to read on.

Sure, the energy drinks may give you a temporary boost, but it can also give you a whole lot of other problems. Previous studies show that they can mess with your sleep, make you gain weight and increase your blood pressure. They can also lead to substance abuse, mental health problems, higher risk of developing diabetes, dental problems and even kidney damage.

Energy drinks are advertised to boost/ improve energy, stamina, athletic performance and even your concentration. Similar to sports drinks (Gatorade, Powerade, 100 Plus etc), the target consumer market for energy drinks are adolescents and young adults.

Energy drinks typically contain lots of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, certain vitamins, minerals and non nutritive stimulants (such as guarana, ginseng, taurine, L-carnitine, inositol, yerba mate and D-glucuronolactone).

An average 500 ml can of energy drink contains about 54 grams of sugar, way above the recommended 36 grams for men. You've read here that it is through consuming excessive sugar that causes you to get diabetes.

According to the article referenced below, some energy drinks reviewed contained as much as 207 mg of caffeine (recommended daily allowance for adults is 400 mg/ day, 100 mg/day for adolescents). When you consume more, you may feel anxious, depressed or even harbor suicidal thoughts.

Excessive caffeine along with other stimulants such as taurine, guarana and ginseng can also affect your blood pressure.

The authors concluded that current evidence suggest that health risks outweigh any short term perks or benefits you may experience from energy drinks.

Now you know.

References

Al-Sharr L, Vercammen K et al (2017). Health Effects And Public Health Concerns Of Energy Drink Consumption In The United States: A Mini-Review. Frontiers in Public Health. 31 August 2017. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2017.00225.

Heckman MA, Sherry K et al (2010). Energy Drinks. An Assessment Of Their Market Size, Consumer Demographics, Ingredient Profile, Functionality, And Regulations In The United States. Comp Reviews in Food Sci Food Safety.  29 April 2010. DOI: 10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00111.x

Now, that's a lot of Red Bull in there

I took the picture above and below while riding to my previous clinic a few years ago thinking I may one day use the pictures. Glad I can use the pictures now.

A closer look