A DAD who gulped up to two litres of Monster energy drink a day feared for his life after collapsing and being rushed to hospital.
Andy Hammond has sworn off energy drinks for life since being rushed to hospital on Christmas Day after collapsing at home.
Kennedy NewsAndy drank 2 litres of Monster every day for two years[/caption]
The dad-of-two’s energy drink addiction began when he was just 16Kennedy News
The 36-year-old began consuming the drinks as a teenager as he thought they were “cool” – but ended up guzzling them every day for the last two decades.
“It wasn’t that I liked their taste it was more of a habit,” he added.
The dad-of-two’s addiction started with just one can of the stuff per day before increasing, preferring Monster.
For the last two years – the peak of the social work student’s drink addiction – he was consuming four 500ml Monster energy cans (or two litres) each day.
I was injured in Afghanistan – this was worse
Andy Hammond
Andy, who lives in Hartlepool, County Durham, began to notice blood in his urine in December and was treated for several severe water infections before suddenly collapsing at home.
After being rushed to the University Hospital of Hartlepool, scans revealed the dad had developed a four-millimetre kidney stone, leaving him in excruciating pain.
These are painful masses of salt and minerals usually found in the kidneys or ureter.
Andy said: “I’ve served in the military and been injured in Afghanistan, and nothing compares to kidney stones.”
Medics thought the stone was likely a direct result of his long-term consumption of energy drinks.
He said: “They told me that energy drinks contain a lot of caffeine, phosphorus, and sugars, and there is medical research linking drinks to the formation of kidney stones.”
The dad admits the incident “scared him” due to how poorly he was and the risk of kidney stones turning septic, which can kill.
“They told me it could take six months and two years to fully recover,” he added.
“And if I continue getting infections, I won’t get any better.”
Andy feels as if he’s “one of the lucky ones,” having stopped his habit when he did.
“For me, it’s just water and eating healthily now and staying fit – that’s me off them for life now,” he said.
The student ended up in hospital with kidney stonesKennedy News
Kennedy NewsThe dad (pictured with his family) admits the incident scared him into quitting the drinks[/caption]
The kidney stone was likely a direct result of his long-term consumption of energy drinksKennedy News
Kennedy NewsThe dad has since given up energy drinks for good[/caption]
He added: “You always see kids drinking energy drinks.
“We’re yet to see the long-term harmful effect of these drinks since they’re quite a recent thing.”
Monster declined to comment.
Dangerous side effects
It comes as a ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s is being considered by the Labour Party if it wins, as concern grows about the health risks to young people of high-caffeine products.
Health experts have long issued warnings about the drinks’ detrimental effects on health and told mums and dads to be extra vigilant.
New research published in the Public Health Journal found children and young people who guzzle energy drinks are more at risk of poor academic performance and suicidal thoughts.
It also raises the odds sleep issues, anxiety, depression and unhealthy food habits.
It added to a growing body of research which suggests caffeinated drinks can cause a string of health problems for children, including head and stomach aches, and be a ‘gateway’ to booze.
What drinking an energy drink does to your body hour-by-hour
DATA from gift site Personalise reveals what happens to your body, hour-by-hour, after you finish a can, and even 12 days later.
The timeline was created using information from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and energy drink manufacturer Red Bull.
First 10 minutes
This is the time the caffeine begins to enter the bloodstream, causing your heart rate and blood pressure to rise.
Previous research has looked at the impact of energy drinks on the blood pressure and hearts of young people.
One small study found that people who drank 32 ounces (1L) of energy drinks in an hour had abnormal electrical activity in their hearts and higher blood pressure four hours later.
15-45 minutes
The time caffeine level peaks, making you feel alert and improving concentration abilty.
The caffeine concetration in energy drinks ranges from 80mg (Red Bull) to 150mg (PRIME) per serving.
It is generally recommended to have no more than 400mg of caffeine per day.
30-50 minutes
By now, all of the caffeine has been absorbed and your liver will often react by absorbing more sugar.
One hour
This is when you are likely to experience the typical “sugar crash” – which is when your blood sugar and caffeine level drops – and you may feel tired.
Five-six hours
Roughly five to six hours after consumption your body will have reduced the caffeine content in your bloodstream by 50 per cent.
12 hours
Around 12 hours after finishing your energy drink, the caffeine will have been pupped out of most people’s bloodstreams, but it does vary due to age and activity.
12-24 hours
If you have been drinking energy drinks regularly, between 12 and 24 hours is the time when you’ll start to feel withdrawal symptoms.
Seven-12 days
Studies have shown this is the time it takes the body to become tolerant of your daily caffeine dosage.
This means if you keep the level the same, you are unlikely to feel any effects at this point