Of late, the consumption of energy drinks has been on the rise among the younger population. Doctors reveal whether non-alcoholic drinks are a ‘healthier’ alternative to sugary soft drinks or associated with increased odds of severe diabetic eye complications
Of late, the consumption of energy drinks also has been on the rise among the younger population and caffeine, a major content of these, is said to reduce choroidal thickness and blood-flow in the eye leading to a risk of retinal degeneration. The American Psychiatric Association doesn’t recognise addictions to artificial sweeteners or diet soda but plenty of people have tried, and failed, to give them up although studies suggest such detrimental effects with overconsumption, minor indulgences may not harm.
Non-Alcoholic beverages have become the usual accompaniment with meals worldwide that is by and large, a result of shift in consumption from fresh food and drinks to ultra-processed products due to heavy marketing strategies opted by the industry. Numbers suggest that worldwide consumption of soft drinks was around 43.15 litres per person per year in 2010 and these figures have been exponentially increasing ever since, especially among the younger population.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Shashi Prabha Prasad, Professor and HOD, Department of Ophthalmology at Dr DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, highlighted, “What makes non-alcoholic drinks so palatable is the combination of spices and intense sweet taste of the sweeteners either in the form of sugars or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Moreover, these are served in perfectly cooled carbonated cans making for a very satisfying drink.”