Think Before you Drink

Popular Energy drinks boost more than your get-up-and-go, warn scientists at Wayne State University in Detroit. Even in healthy young adults, consuming two can of and energy drink raises systolic blood pressure by 10 points and heart rate by five to seven beats per minute-significant elevations for people who have heart disease or guzzle energy drinks regularly. The triggers are thought to be high levels of caffeine and the amino acid taurine in the drinks.

On the other hand, if you tend to choose diet drinks, beware of their health risks too. ton Univeristy study of more than 6,000 people found that those who drink one soda or more a day -even a diet soda-were more likely to develop high blood pressure, high triglycerides and other risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.