Energy drinks have been linked to an array of health issues, including heart problems -- and now, new research shows that these beverages may be destroying your teeth, too. While it's easy to ignore health problems you cannot see, damage to your smile is a bit harder to overlook. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural ways to boost energy that won't cost you your health or your pearly whites.
Are energy drinks destroying your teeth?
If you're an energy drink addict, it may be time to rethink your beverage of choice. A young man from the U.K. recently revealed that his six-can a day Monster energy drink habit completely rotted out his teeth. Vinnie Pyner, aged 21, says he was forced to drop out of college due to the embarrassing state of his teeth -- which were so badly damaged, his four front teeth broke while he was eating an apple. Pyner says that despite regular tooth brushing, his teeth were becoming increasingly sensitive and that he was both shocked and worried by what was happening.
Eventually, Pyner's mother was able to convince him to see a dentist.
"The dentist was extremely shocked to see my teeth and she said that it was one of the worse cases of tooth decay and damage that she had ever seen,” Pyner told reporters.
“Looking at my teeth, I realized what I had done. I was in a complete mess.”
Pyner needed 24 fillings to repair the energy drink-induced damage to his chompers and will need dentures to repair the front teeth.
While energy drinks may not be as high in sugar as a soda, the extreme acidity of these beverages is bad news for teeth. Dental experts say that the acidic nature of these beverages can be very damaging to tooth enamel -- resulting in an increased risk of tooth decay, cavities and other issues.
Studies show energy drinks are twice as acidic as a sports drink, and that is far too much acid for tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body -- and even it will dissolve when exposed to the acid bath that is an energy drink.
Energy drinks aren't worth the risk
While the American Beverage Association -- a front group for the beverage industry -- has tried to downplay the risks associated with energy drinks, it is clear that these beverages are no good. Dental experts also say that the acidity of energy drinks fosters bacteria growth -- which only serves to compound the issue of tooth decay. One has to wonder what else these drinks are doing to our bodies.
In addition to eating away at your teeth and causing them to rot, there are a lot of other health issues linked to energy drinks. For one, experts say that energy drinks can make you so high-strung that you actually start grinding your teeth -- leading to further abuse and ruin.
Outside of your mouth, energy drinks aren't faring much better. Studies have linked them to heart health issues -- including increased blood pressure and changes to the electrical activity of the heart muscle. Irregular heart beat, heart attack, stroke and seizures have all been linked to energy drink consumption. These drinks often contain caffeine and a bevy of other stimulants; it's no wonder they're hazardous.
There are many ways to boost energy naturally. Going to bed a little earlier, drinking more water, eating more nutritious foods and engaging in regular physical activity are all great ways to boost energy without putting your health at risk. Learn more about health and wellness at Natural.news.
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