Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
05 May 2023 | 20:19 CAT

Photo Credit: BusinessTech

People used to rely on a good old cup of coffee to give them a jolt, but recently, it has become hip for people to indulge in sports or energy drinks, and it has become a necessity for some.
As children, we were given packets of glucose powder and oranges during sports events at school to revive us. But since Lucozade, Powerade, Energade, Red Bull, and Play arrived, people have turned to these supposedly healthier options to boost them.

The latest addition, Prime offers two products: one is marketed as a “hydration” drink, the other as an “energy” drink, which comes with a warning it is unsuitable for people under 18 or pregnant or lactating women. Prime Energy contains 200 milligrams of caffeine per can, equivalent to two to three instant coffees. Despite its name, Prime Energy drink contains only about 40 kilojoules of carbohydrates, one of our body’s essential energy sources. The “energy” in Prime Energy refers to the caffeine, which makes you feel more alert and lessens the perceived effort involved in any work you do.

A healthcare practitioner specialising as a Dietician, Dr Michelle Hawksworth discusses the effects of caffeine on humans and their frenzy to get their hands on the new energy drink with Radio Islam International.

Highlighting the health pros and cons of good old caffeine, Dr Hawksworth said caffeine assists in increasing energy and can help with concentration and mental alertness. However, caffeine causes an increase in the heart rate, nervousness, headaches, nausea, jitter and fainting for some people.

For healthy adults, the FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that’s about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects. However, there is wide variation in both how sensitive people are to the effects of caffeine and how fast they metabolize it (break it down).

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Host Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.