A number of medical specialists, pointing to the harmful effects of energy drinks, warn that their consumption poses serious health risks to individuals, particularly women and children.
Meanwhile, several women and girls in Sar-e Pol Province say that regular consumption of energy drinks has caused them to experience insomnia, physical weakness, stomach problems, anemia, dizziness, increased fatigue, and restlessness.
Hadiya, a 22-year-old woman, says that frequent consumption of energy drinks has led to a range of health problems for her.
“Whenever I drank energy drinks, I felt as though my fatigue had disappeared. However, after a few minutes, I felt tired and exhausted again. Sometimes, I drank energy drinks instead of water or even in place of meals, and gradually I lost my appetite. I began experiencing dizziness, weakness, and restlessness, and my face even became pale. At night, I could not sleep properly, and I became angry more easily,” she says.
Energy drinks can also have serious negative consequences for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Negina, a 25-year-old woman who is six months pregnant, describes the health problems she experienced after consuming energy drinks during her pregnancy.
“Some days, I wanted cold drinks and consumed a lot of energy drinks. At first, I felt some relief, but soon afterward I developed stomach discomfort and bloating. On some nights, after drinking energy drinks, I could not sleep well, and my heart would beat rapidly,” she says.
Gulalai, another 33-year-old woman, says that excessive consumption of energy drinks not only affected her own health but also the health of her infant.
“I thought energy drinks would relieve my fatigue, but after a few minutes, I felt tired and weak again. When I consulted my doctor, I was told that the caffeine in energy drinks passes to my baby through breast milk. I had already noticed that on some nights my baby became restless, and I could not sleep peacefully,” she says.
A number of medical specialists, pointing to the harmful effects of energy drinks, warn that these drinks, due to their high levels of caffeine, sugar, and other chemical substances, can pose serious health risks to people, especially women and children. Sharmila Habibi, an obstetrician-gynecologist, says,
“Carbonated soft drinks contain caffeine, sugar, and phosphoric acid, all of which are chemical substances. These substances may contribute to gestational diabetes, reduce calcium absorption, cause neurological disorders, and even delay fetal growth. Women who consume large amounts of carbonated soft drinks while breastfeeding may also expose their infants to harmful effects through breast milk. Caffeine can cause insomnia and restlessness in babies.”
Sebghatullah Sharifi, an internal medicine specialist, also says, “Excessive consumption of energy drinks can contribute to obesity, diabetes, weakened teeth, stomach problems, and even anemia. High caffeine intake can also cause insomnia, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, and fatigue. Among children and adolescents, it may negatively affect growth and concentration.”
It is worth mentioning that doctors and public health experts emphasize that raising awareness about the harmful effects of energy drinks—particularly among adolescent girls, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers—can play an important role in reducing diseases and protecting the health of mothers and children.
Reporter: Sabrina Gunish
