Dr warns about dangers of energy drinks as Prime price drops

South African social media users have been buzzing about the high price tag attached to Prime energy and hydration drinks. Social media personality Anele Mdoda first took to Twitter to ask about the drink which retails at almost R500 at certain local stores. After the frenzy, Checkers announced that they would be selling it at a considerably lower rate — much to the satisfaction of shoppers.

Parents shouldn’t however be too excited about buying energy drinks at lower prices — especially after a doctor revealed that energy drinks can actually cause excessive damage to your liver and could even cause liver disease.

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Dr Strange warns against energy drinks

Over the last few weeks, Prime Energy and Hydration drinks have sent social media users into a frenzy. Mostly because a bottle of the drink cost around R500.

Shortly after shoppers expressed outrage at that amount, Checkers announced they would be selling it for under R50.

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Naturally many South African consumers breathed a sigh of relief.

It looks like it may have been too soon for breathing sighs of relief after a doctor revealed exactly how damaging energy drinks can be.

According to Dr Strange on Twitter, “excessive or regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to heart arrhythmias, headaches, high blood pressure, anxiety, seizures and cardiac arrest.”

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The doctor also added:

“Frequent intake can cause inflammation, which has been linked to a number of chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, Consumption of added sugars can also increase the risk of obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

It’s worth noting that Prime Hydration — unlike Prime Energy drinks — do not contain caffeine and can be consumed by children.

Netizens weigh in

It appears a considerable amount of locals are fighting an energy drink addiction and have spoken up about it in the comment section.

“I consume 1-2 Play or redbull Energy drinks per day. I want to quit,” one person wrote.

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