We all know at least one person who refuses to act sane or function normally in the morning until they’ve had their first cup of coffee.
Okay chances are you may know many of them, let’s be honest, 8 out of 10 people are addicted to energy drinks and refuses to function normally until they have had their fair share of caffeine, and first respondents are no exception.
In fact the funny part is, say the words, “substance abuse’ to any first responder to immediately evoke a sudden response from them, they will be the first one to educate you about substance abuse, little do they realize, there is one substance that is frequently being abused by first responders and their likes.
Guess the substance?
Yes, you got it right; we are indeed talking aboutenergy drinks here.
According to a report, 90% of North Americans consume caffeine on a daily basis, now this is an alarming rate and should be taken seriously.
According to a new study appearing in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier in April 29, 2019, the consumption of Energy drink has substantially increased in the United States over the past decade among adolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults.
According to senior author Sara N. Bleich,PhD, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
"The increasing use of energy drinks, especially among young adults, is cause for concern and warrants continued study and surveillance, although the beverages are marketed to reduce fatigue and improve physical and mental performance, frequent consumption of these highly caffeinated and sugary beverages has been linked to negative health consequences."
What are energy drinks?
The non-alcoholic beverages that contain caffeine, other plant-based stimulants (e.g., guarana), amino acids (e.g., taurine), herbs (e.g., ginkgo biloba), and vitamins come under the definition of energy drinks.
Impact of caffeine
Energy drinks have received some increased scrutiny in the fire service and other public safety agencies after the incident of June 10, 2017, when the sudden collapse of a Kansas City firefighter during a routine training has shaken everyone up. He ended up in a week-long coma, reason found out was heat stroke.
According to his cardiologist, the firefighter’s use of energy drinks may have triggered the diuretic effect of caffeine contained in the drinks and may have contributed in the severity of the event.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only incident reported. According to a report produced bySAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) found rates of emergency room doubling between 2007 to 2011 due toenergy drinks.
There have been multiple self-report surveys and clinical trials that found insomnia, nervousness, increased pulse rate/palpitations, and activeness to be the most commonly reported side effects of energy drinks.
The higher volumes of energy drinks consumed by a First Responder may increase their (or any individual’s) risk of seeking behaviors, such as they may experience mental health strains like increaseddepression, or adverse cardiovascular effects likeincreased blood pressure.
Since these drinks have added sugar in many of them, it may also increase risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay.
According to a report by Dr. Fahad Ali published in the journal Postgraduate Medicine, the most common negative effects of energy drinks are cardiovascular and neurological.
The challenging environment of a First Responder tends to pose many challenges to maintain hydration. Since First Responder tasks have been found to be particularly stressful, owing to the heat stress associated with being in a high heat environment and wearing encapsulated gear, adds fuel to the fire when it comes to dehydration.
According to a study by Gavin Horn and colleagues in the journal Prehospital Emergency Care states that:
“Firefighters often are dehydrated even when they arrive on the fire ground or at training.”
Energy drinks and caffeine tend to work as diuretics, which also can lead to dehydration. Consuming energy drinks without proper consumption of water. High levels of caffeine may also worsen dehydration during First Responder tasks.
Given energy drinks are used by First Responders to combat tiredness, they should work on avoiding extreme tiredness as much as possible is an important step for avoiding needing energy drinks on a regular basis. They should also consider the following,
A first responder should try to get as much sleep as they can when they are off duty. For busy departments, they should make sure to manage short naps during the day in order to overcome fatigue or minimize the need to use energy drinks to get rid of sleep.
Pay attention to the quality of the sleep you are getting. If you are suffering from any type of sleep disorders; discuss them with your doctor.
Make water your substitute of a beverage and be sure to drink plenty of it throughout the day before you go on shift. If you are drinking a lot of caffeine or energy drinks, you may need to increase your water intake even more.
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Reload has been specifically designed to enhance your performance and overall health; using Reload can help you with the following:
Reload combines extract of42 vegetables and fruits to improve your heart and respiratory function and boosts memory and clarity.
It containsVitamin A which is essential for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth, mucus membranes, soft tissue, as well as improves the skin texture.
It contains Vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant and protects the body from the harmful effects of free radicals, promotes healthy gums and teeth. Additionally it also enhances the wound healing process, and increases the absorption of iron in the body.
It containsVitamin D, which plays an important for the absorption of calcium —a mineral essential for bone and teeth health. It’s also responsible for regulation of calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood. The first responders can easily getVitamin D through a natural supplement such as Heroes Pack
Vitamins B6 It enhances brain function and plays an important role in the formation of red blood cells, thanks to Vitamin B6.
It containsvitamin B12 that helps to maintain the central nervous system, aids in red blood cells formation, and plays a vital role in metabolism.
It containsVitamin K which works as a lifesaver for first responders since it’s crucial for blood clotting and can sustain an injury in a first responder in the line of duty
Vitamin E contains the powerful antioxidant called tocopherol which can help boost immunity and protect against the toxic effects of free radicals.
Niacin is a form of Vitamin B that improves nerve function as well as helps to keep the skin healthy. Niacin is also substantially reported to reduce cholesterol levels when taken at higher doses.
Reload also containsBiotin which helps to metabolize carbs and protein and is essential for the synthesis of cholesterol and hormones.
Whether you at work or play, Reload is enriched with minerals such aszinc, iodine, chromium, phosphorus, magnesium as well as other beneficial minerals to enhance your physical and mental capabilities to make you excel in every department of life.
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