能量飲料或導致心臟問題
Energy Drinks May Cause Heart Problems
能量飲料或導致心臟問題
Energy is a hot commodity these days. Consumers are drawn to products promoted as energy boosters, from bars to balls, and a whole lot of drinks. Energy drink sales alone in the U.S. steadily increased between 2015 and 2018, with annual sales over $3 million.
現而今，能量已變成一款熱門商品。消費者被各種能量助推產品所吸引，如能量棒、能量球、以及多種能量飲料。僅在美國，能量飲料的銷售額已從2015年至2018年實現穩步增長，年銷售額超過300萬美元。
But are the risks of energy drinks greater than the rewards? That seems to be the conclusion of a new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. For the study, healthy, young participants consumed 32 ounces of one or two types of energy drinks or a caffeine-free, stimulant-free placebo. The drinks were finished within a one-hour period on three separate days, with a six-day break between each.
但能量飲料的弊是否大於利呢？一項發表在《美國心臟協會期刊》的新研究似乎得出了此番結論。在這項研究中，健康的年輕參與者飲用一兩種32盎司的能量飲料，或飲用32盎司不含咖啡因、不含興奮劑的安慰劑。飲料分三天喝完，每次間隔六天，一次一小時。
Scientists found that the energy drinks altered the electrical activity of the participants’ hearts, and raised their blood pressure. The changes the subjects' hearts experienced, which were related to the heart chambers squeezing and relaxing, are generally considered mild. But the study authors say that people with heart conditions, or those on certain medications, who have energy drinks could be at increased risk.
科學家發現，能量飲料改變了參與者的心電活動，並使他們的血壓升高。這些參與者所經歷的心臟變化與心室的擠壓與放鬆有關，但大體而言，這些都是輕微變化。然而，研究作者表示，對心臟病患者或服用特定藥物的人羣而言，飲用能量飲料或增加風險。
Energy drinks and heart problems
能量飲料和心臟問題
In previous research, energy drink consumption has been tied to side effects including elevated blood pressure, irregular heart beat, seizures, stroke, and heart attack. One study suggested that in healthy young adults, a single 24-ounce energy drink may impair blood vessel function.
在先前的研究中，飲用能量飲料與一些副作用相關，包括血壓升高、心律不齊、痙攣、中風和心臟病發作。一項研究表明，對健康的青年人而言，一杯24盎司的能量飲料可能會損害其血管功能。
One problem with energy drinks is that they often contain caffeine, in addition to one or more additional stimulants, such as ginseng and guarana. These herbs can have a synergistic interaction with caffeine, meaning the combined effect is greater than the impact of each alone.
能量飲料的問題在於其通常含有咖啡因，此外還含有一種或多種額外的刺激物，如人蔘和瓜拉那。這些草本植物會和咖啡產生協同作用，也就是說，這些成分的組合效果遠大於單獨效果。
Bottom line: I don't recommend energy drinks for anyone, including athletes and healthy young adults. In addition to the potential adverse effects, energy drinks mask symptoms of fatigue, which are signals that your body is out of balance.
最重要的是：我不建議大家喝能量飲料，包括運動員和健康的青年。除了這些潛在的不良反應之外，能量飲料還會‘提神抗疲勞’，但別忘了，疲勞可是身體處於失衡狀態的信號。
Healthier ways to boost your energy
更健康的提神方法
When it comes to your energy level, some of the most important factors are sleep, nutrition, hydration, stress management, and physical activity. Even small shifts can make a difference.
影響能量水平的最重要的因素包括：睡眠、營養、補水、壓力管理和身體活動。即使細微轉變也會帶來不一樣的結果。
