Sipping an energy drink in the morning is a popular alternative for those who don’t like coffee, but it’s not always a good habit to form.
Sugar and caffeine are two ingredients in beverages that can be harmful to your health. The drinks can also lower your sperm count, making conception more difficult.
Caffeine consumption may reduce a couple’s fertility chances. A 2016 study found that drinking caffeinated sodas and energy drinks, in particular, reduced male fertility.
Recent research has shown that a consistently high sugar intake can hurt both male and female fertility.
Ingredients like B vitamins, taurine, and exotic-sounding herbs may make you think you’re doing something good for your body, but this isn’t always the case.
Continue reading more to know how energy drinks can cause infertility.
What Is Infertility?
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year (or longer) of unprotected sex.
Because women’s fertility declines steadily with age, some providers evaluate and treat women aged 35 and up after 6 months of unprotected sex.
Millions of people of reproductive age worldwide are affected by infertility, which has an impact on their families and communities.
According to estimates, 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide suffer from infertility.
Causes of infertility can affect one or both partners. Sometimes no cause can be identified. Causes of male infertility can be:
- abnormal sperm production or function
- problems with the delivery of sperm
- overexposure to certain environmental factors
- damage related to injuries
Causes of female infertility are:
- ovulation disorders
- uterine or cervical abnormalities
- fallopian tube damage or blockage
- endometriosis
- primary ovarian insufficiency
- pelvic adhesions
It is also essential to know that certain risk factors can hinder fertility which can be age, weight, and family genetic disorders.
Ingredients In Energy Drinks: Causing Infertility
Non-alcoholic beverages contain caffeine and other ingredients such as B vitamins, taurine, guarana, and ginseng.
Some of these ingredients, such as guarana, naturally contain caffeine, while others, such as ginseng, provide the distinct flavoring found in energy drinks.
Let’s have a look at which ingredients in an energy drink can cause infertility, and which can heal/prevent infertility
Sugar
Insulin is activated when sugar enters the body. Insulin’s function in the body is to transport sugar to cells so that it can be used for energy. We require glucose (sugar) for energy, but many of us consume far too much. That is where the problem begins.
Recent research has shown that a consistently high sugar intake can have a negative impact on both male and female fertility.
One study from Boston University discovered that drinking just one sugary soft drink per day reduced female conception rates by a quarter and male conception rates by a third.
This is due to the fact that it can interfere with reproductive hormones and negatively impact egg and sperm quality.
The AHA recommends a lower added-sugar limit of no more than 24 grams for most adult women and 36 grams for most men.
Excessive sugar consumption can also cause:
- diabetes
- obesity/weight gain
- skin issues
- cancer
- heart problems
- mood swings
- hormonal issues
Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally found in your muscles, organs, blood platelets, and nervous system. It is essential for hormone metabolism as well as the development of the brain and eyes.
A taurine deficiency can affect male infertility, but too much of it can be harmful.
When sperm cells with taurine deficiencies were placed in an environment similar to that of a uterus, they were nearly twice as likely to have morphology problems leading to male factor infertility, such as wrongly-angled tails.
According to one 2019 study, the highest daily dose of taurine you can safely consume is 3 grams per day. However, according to the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) 2012 guidelines, you can safely consume up to 6 grams per day.
Other side effects of excessive taurine consumption are:
- mild diarrhea
- mild constipation
- nausea and dizziness
- trouble walking
- headache
Ingredients In Energy Drinks: Treating Infertility
Energy drinks are marketed to boost energy levels and are known for their harmful effects yet some ingredients have been shown to be beneficial in energy drinks.
Some of them can rather promote fertility if they are present in high doses. Let’s have a look at them.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a Panax family root plant. It was widely used to treat chronic illnesses and was thought to be a superior tonic. It has remained a staple ingredient in Eastern medicine practices ever since.
It is used to treat male infertility, but most energy drinks contain so little of the herb that it has no effect.
Ginseng is a fertility herb that is classified as an adrenal tonic and adaptogen, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and overall tonic for vitality, energy, and overall well-being.
Asian and American Ginsengs promote fertility by assisting the body in improving immune system health, sperm count, and motility.
The recommended daily dosage for fertility is around 2,000mg, whereas energy drinks only contain about 5mg of the herb.
Other benefits of ginseng include:
- boost energy
- low blood sugar levels
- reduce stress
- treat diabetes
- boost immune function
- improve brain function
Amino Acids: L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is one of the most important amino acids for fertility.
Although the body can produce L-carnitine on its own, a study of 20 couples found that supplementing your diet with specific forms of this incredible compound can help support male fertility levels.
L-carnitine is naturally produced in the body when L-lysine and L-methionine bind together. Once created, it promotes heart and brain health while also providing proven benefits to athletes through increased energy production.
Men can increase the number of amino acids in their bodies without taking supplements by being more conscious of the foods they eat. For example:
- eggs
- meat
- soy
- pumpkin seeds
- nuts
- wholegrain
Can Caffeine Cause Infertility?
The answer is both, yes and no.
According to some research, caffeine is associated with a decrease in sperm quality, especially when consumed in excess; however, other studies show that moderate caffeine consumption may actually be beneficial to sperm.
According to a 2010 study, men who drank caffeinated drinks had lower average sperm volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percentage of spermatozoa than men who did not drink.
The same study found that when caffeine intake from all sources (including energy drinks) exceeded 800mg, sperm count decreased — but the link between caffeinated beverages and poor sperm parameters was more vital.
While human research in this area is limited, animal studies suggest that caffeine exposure during sexual maturation may alter the anatomy of the testicles, even in small doses.
Caffeine may also interfere with testosterone production, potentially delaying the onset of sexual maturation (puberty) — particularly important information for young caffeine users.
The FDA has cited 400mg per day for healthy adults—roughly four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects which are:
- anxiety
- depression
- nausea
- rapid heart rate
- dehydration
- liver problems
- kidney stones
- insomnia
- headache
- death
Can Energy Drinks Make You Infertile?
Energy drinks alone in a low consumption pattern won’t make you infertile. If you’re a daily energy drink consumer, then you might wanna rethink your purchase.
Caffeine and sugar in energy drinks are harmful ingredients that are known for their side effects rather than benefits.
Caffeine is linked to elevated testosterone levels. Although it would seem natural to assume that high levels of the hormone would result in the sex drive needed for fertility, too much caffeine can have a negative impact on sperm quality.
Too much sugar in your diet can also have an impact on the reproductive success of your sperm. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Epidemiology, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages on a daily basis contributes to lower fertility.
Although some energy drink ingredients like ginseng and l-carnitine help with infertility, yet they are added in low amounts, and their benefits are not seen.
It’s better to limit your energy drink consumption to avoid chances of infertility, as well as other health risks like cardiovascular problems, jitters, hormonal imbalances, etc.
Treatment For Infertility
Male fertility depends on the testicles producing enough healthy sperm and the sperm effectively ejaculating into the vagina and traveling to the egg.
Male infertility tests seek to determine whether any of these processes are impaired.
Women’s fertility is dependent on their ovaries producing healthy eggs. The reproductive tract must allow an egg to pass into the fallopian tubes and fertilize with sperm.
The fertilized egg must travel to the uterus and implant in the lining. Female infertility tests attempt to determine whether any of these processes are impaired.
Some common treatments for both, males and females treatment are:
- surgery
- antibiotics
- medications and counseling
- hormone treatments
Famous Energy Drinks
Runa Clean
Runa is an excellent alternative energy drink because it contains few calories and sugars, and it contains an energy-boosting component derived from the Amazon forest—Guayusa, a “super leaf” rich in organic caffeine and antioxidants.
The 150mg of caffeine in Runa is derived from Guayusa leaves. Furthermore, Guayusa’s polyphenols and L-theanine provide long-lasting energy and focus while only containing 10 calories and 0 sugar.
BAYA
Years after the successful launch of Doubleshot and Tripleshot canned drinks, Starbucks BAYA Energy cans with the vibrant and colorful Starbucks logo are now available in retailers across the country.
It has 160mg of caffeine, 90 calories, and 22g of sugar derived from cane. Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants are also present.
REIZE
If the thought of consuming so much sugar and calories makes your head spin, allow me to introduce you to the best energy drink brand I’ve ever tried!
REIZE contains only 50mg of caffeine, but it provides a powerful energy boost that will help you get through the day without the unpleasant side effects that highly caffeinated beverages can cause.