With energy drinks being pushed through advertising and supermarket shelves, they have become a popular option, especially for those who work out or are regular sport players. But are they as good for you as they make out?
There are certain things you need to know about energy drinks and your teeth because you don’t want to get into a situation where your consumption of energy drinks has had such a negative impact on your teeth that you are in need of an emergency dentist in Melbourne.
What are Energy Drinks? Our Dentist Melbourne cbd explains
Energy drinks are regulated under the Standard 2.6.4 (Formulated Caffeinated Beverages) of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The ingredients purported, have an impact on your energy level, physical performance and mental alertness.
Some examples of energy drinks sold in Melbourne are:
=> V energy drink
=> Redbull energy drink
=> Monster energy drink
=> Mother energy drink
=> Rockstar energy drink
Ingredients of Energy Drinks
In order to understand if energy drinks are specifically bad for your dental health, it’s important to look at the ingredients. We provide the following information as at August 2021. (Ingredients may change over time.)
V energy drink 500ml (standard)
Carbonated Water, Sugar, Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Taurine, Guarana Extract (0.12%), Caffeine, Glucuronolactone, Colour (Caramel IV), Flavours, Inositol, Vitamins (Niacin (B3), B6, Pantothenic Acid (B5), Riboflavin (B2), B12).
Redbull energy drink 473ml (standard)
Caffeine, Taurine, B-group Vitamins, Sugars, Alpine water
Monster energy drink 500ml (standard)
Carbonated Water, Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Natural Flavours, Taurine, Natural Colours (Anthocyanins), Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Preservatives (Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid), Caffeine, Vitamins (Niacin (B3), Vitamin B6, Riboflavin (B2), Vitamin B12], Salt, Inositol, Guarana Seed Extract, D Glucuronolactone, Sucralose, Maltodextrin.
Mother energy drink 500ml (standard)
Carbonated Water, Sucrose, Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Taurine, Colour (Caramel Colour), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate), Caffeine, Flavour, Vitamins [Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12], Guarana Extract.
Rockstar energy drink (standard)
Carbonated Water, Sucrose, Dextrose, Acidity Regulators (Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate), Taurine, Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate), Caffeine, Colour (Caramel IV), Flavour, Inositol, Vitamins (Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12), Guarana (Paullinia Cupana) Seed Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract.
Now let’s look at the impact on your teeth from consuming some of the main ingredients.
=> Sucrose
Sucrose is a combination of glucose and fructose and is commonly called table sugar. It is considered one of the most likely products to cause tooth decay. The average amount of sucrose/sugar in energy drinks per serve is highlighted below.
|
Product |
Average qty sugar per 100g |
Average qty sugar
per serve |
Approx. teaspoons of
sugar per serve |
|
V 500ml |
10.6g | 52.8g | 13.2 |
|
Redbull 473ml |
11g | 51g |
12.75 |
| Monster 500ml | 11.4g | 57g |
14.25 |
|
Mother 500ml |
10.1g | 51g |
12,75 |
| Rockstar 500ml | 12g | 60g |
15 |
As you can see, the average sugar per 100g is similar. To put this into perspective, one teaspoon of granulated sugar equals 4 grams of sugar. Imagine the impact of that much sugar on your teeth and your overall health.
=> Dextrose
Dextrose is a sugar derived from corn. Given that this is still a sugar, it’s going to cause problems with your teeth.
=> Acidity Regulators
Acidity regulators are used to control PH and as a form of preservative. Citric acid and sodium citrate are considered bad for your teeth and can cause damage to tooth enamel.
=> Caffeine
Caffeine is acidic and therefore can cause damage to your teeth.
=> Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate
These synthetic preservatives combined with sugar and other acids are a bad combination for your teeth.
=> Taurine
Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid which is found in the body and certain foods. Where some people are unable to produce taurine, they are able to obtain this through diet. While taurine is used for energy purposes, it may present as one of few ingredients that isn’t bad for your teeth based on a study published in 2014.
What our Dentist in Melbourne cbd Recommends.
While there are other versions of energy drinks that have zero sugar or come in various flavours, we recommend that the best drink of all is water.
If you are looking for a healthy alternative to energy drinks then coconut water is effective in between water.
Water serves not only to hydrate, but importantly in the production of saliva which is critical in the breakdown of food and beverages and to prevent dry mouth.
If you are experiencing major tooth problems and are seeking an Emergency dentist Melbourne, then please call Holistic Dental Melbourne cbd on (03) 9662 2288.
Alternatively, our dentist in Melbourne cbd is ready to take appointments for dental check-ups, dental advice, more complex dental issues or for oral assessments to provide the best dental treatment for your situation. Speak with our friendly dental team and take steps to improve your oral health.
Resources :
https://www.australianbeverages.org/energy-drinks-microsite/
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/energy-drinks
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sucrose-glucose-fructose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acidity_regulator
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dental-erosion
