Expert Reveals The 'Frightening' Impact A Can Of Red Bull Can Have On Your Body Within Minutes

A detailed timeline has shed light on the impact that drinking a can of energy drink can have on the body.

It's no secret that energy drinks are not the healthiest choice out there. 

They often contain high levels of sugar and caffeine, which can have some unexpected effects on your system. 

While it might seem like energy drinks have about the same amount of caffeine as a shot of espresso, it really depends on how strong you make your coffee.

And honestly, it can feel much easier to get through five cans of an energy drink in a day than five espressos or other caffeinated sodas.

So, while energy drinks might seem like a quick and easy way to get a caffeine boost, the hidden effects on your body are worth considering before reaching for that next can.

Caffeine Is Not the Only Concern

According to Dr. Stuart Farrimond, who spoke to the Daily Mail, caffeine itself isn't the biggest issue with these energy drinks.

He explained, "Energy drinks are a bad way to get caffeine."

Dr. Farrimond pointed out that, beyond the caffeine, these drinks are loaded with sugar, often in alarmingly high amounts. 

Energy drinks can have a lot of impacts bauwimauwi / Getty

He said, "They are high in sugar - some frighteningly so. The 'added extras', like taurine, are hocus-pocus and don't really do anything other than make the drink more marketable."

The Acidity of Energy Drinks

Another factor to consider is the acidity of these drinks. Dr. Farrimond highlighted this issue by saying, "All fizzy drinks are acidic because they are carbonated, and drinks manufacturers usually add extra acid to give it a 'zing'."

For example, Red Bull has a pH level of 3.3, which is similar to that of vinegar. 

Drinking something this acidic on a regular basis could be more harmful than you might think.

How Energy Drinks Affect Your Body: A Timeline

The effects of an energy drink on your body start within the first ten minutes after drinking it, as your body begins to absorb the caffeine.

This is the beginning of a chain reaction that unfolds over the next several hours.

Between 15 and 45 minutes after drinking, you’re likely to feel the strongest effects of the caffeine. 

Drinking cans over an extended period can cause increased tolerance Peter Dazeley / Getty

Since caffeine is a stimulant, you might feel more awake and energized during this window of time.

Around the 50-minute mark, your liver kicks into gear in response to the caffeine, causing it to absorb more sugar.

This surge can lead to a temporary spike in your energy levels.

However, about an hour after drinking the energy drink, you might start to feel the dreaded sugar crash. 

This is when your energy levels drop, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish.

Five to six hours later, your body will have processed and reduced the caffeine in your bloodstream by about 50 percent. 

It typically takes around 12 hours for the caffeine to completely leave your system.

The period between 12 to 24 hours after drinking the energy drink is when you might experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms.

These symptoms can include headaches, irritability, and even constipation. 

If you consume caffeine regularly, your body can start to build a tolerance, which means you may need more caffeine over time to feel the same effects.