The Ketogenic Diet and Red Bull Energy Drink

The Ketogenic Diet

The ketogenic diet involves a diet which is composed of high fat, adequate proteins, and low carbohydrates. This type of diet has been used for very many years in the treatment of epilepsy as well as being explored for many other uses such as weight management. The diet might sound contrary to common sense since it involves the high intake of fats, but its main aim is to ensure that the body utilizes the fats for fuel rather than the carbohydrates (Paoli et al. 789). To uphold an inclusive focus on the body fats, the foods which have healthy fats such as avocados, oily fish, seeds, coconuts and olive oils are abundantly supplemented into the diet. Under normal circumstances, the carbohydrates are always being broken down to produce glucose that is converted into energy which is used in fueling the cellular body functions.

The Effects of the Ketogenic Diet

In a situation where there is low concentration of carbohydrates in the diet, the liver will be stimulated to convert fats into fatty acids and ketone bodies that are used as source of energy instead of glucose. The ketogenic diet has been determined to have both positive and negative effects on the individuals who follow its guidelines (Paoli et al. 790). This diet has beneficial neurological effects such as significant elimination of epilepsy in both children and adults even after discontinuing taking the diet. Furthermore, different research studies have shown that this diet is able to help in improving the cognitive and behavioral aspects among individuals with different types of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and autism (Paoli et al. 792). These benefits can be coupled with improved metabolic health, change in body composition and weight loss. Nonetheless, this diet has some potential effects such as ketoacidosis among people with type 1 diabetes. Its ability to utilize fats for energy production can make it to last longer than the other types of diets available.

Red Bull Energy Drink

Red Bull is an energy drink that is produced by the Australian Company known as Red Bull GmbH. The main components of this energy drink are water-soluble vitamins which are not stored in the body in higher volumes as compared to fat-soluble vitamins (Miles–Chan et al. 3). The water-soluble vitamin B that are incorporated into the Red Bull energy drink include vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The vitamin B3 used in Red Bull is considered to be beneficial since it helps in the maintenance of heart health such as the ability to reduce atherosclerosis. Furthermore, this vitamin helps in the balancing of the cholesterol levels.

The Benefits of Vitamin B

Vitamin B5 plays an important role in ensuring significant production of enough red blood cells which are instrumental in carrying the oxygen to various parts of the body. The transported oxygen gas will used in the aerobic respiration to produce energy that will be used up by the body (Miles–Chan et al. 2). The vitamin B6 is essential for the maintenance of healthy metabolic activities in the body, facilitating proper functioning of the liver and the nervous systems as well as boosting the levels of energy in the cellular components of the body (Miles–Chan et al. 7). Additionally, the vitamin B6 is involved in the formation of the hemoglobin which is essential for the transportation of oxygen gas in the body. Vitamin B12 plays a central role in ensuring that the blood cells and the nervous system are healthy. It is also important in the formation DNA and prevention of megaloblastic anemia which can make an individual weak and tired (Miles–Chan et al. 5). Based on the fact that Red Bull energy drink is composed of different types of vitamin B, it is justifiable to note that it can effectively play its role of providing the necessary to its consumers.

Works Cited

Miles‐Chan, Jennifer L., et al. “The blood pressure‐elevating effect of Red Bull energy drink is mimicked by caffeine but through different hemodynamic pathways.” Physiological Reports 3.2 (2015): 1-9.

Paoli, Antonio, et al. ”Beyond weight loss: a review of the therapeutic uses of very-low-carbohydrate (ketogenic) diets.” European journal of clinical nutrition 67.8 (2013): 789-793.