BENGALURU: Health experts are raising concerns about the growing practice of mixing alcohol with energy drinks, warning that the combination can have far-reaching consequences for physical and mental health.
According to doctors, combining the two can create a dangerous mismatch in the body, often leading individuals to consume more alcohol. Dr Puneeth BS, consultant medical gastroenterologist at Manipal Hospital, said, “When alcohol is consumed with energy drinks, the person may feel that the desired effect of alcohol has not been achieved and may continue drinking more.” He added that the combination can increase the risk of dehydration, anxiety, palpitations, irregular heart rhythms and other health complications.
Cardiologists also warn that the practice can place significant strain on the cardiovascular system. Dr Pradeep Kumar D, senior consultant in Cardiology at Sakra World Hospital, noted that caffeine may prevent individuals from recognising how intoxicated they actually are. “People may continue drinking because they still feel alert. This can lead to binge drinking, abnormal heart rhythms, and, in some cases, even heart attacks,” he said.
According to Dr Pradeep, young adults who consume alcohol with energy drinks may be more likely to engage in aggressive behaviour, take unnecessary risks and drive under the influence.
Dr CP Ravi Kumar, lead and senior consultant in Neurology at KIMS Hospitals, said repeated exposure to alcohol and high doses of caffeine during adulthood can affect the development of the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain responsible for judgment, impulse control and decision-making. “Exposure to alcohol and caffeine at a young age affects the development of the brain structurally,” he said, adding that the combination may alter neural pathways and impair cognitive function over time.