We all have our vices that make us feel invincible and ready to tackle any task that is handed to us. The problem with depending on this sensation is that it can lead to addiction and in some cases, health problems. Too much of one thing is never good. Even something as innocuous as water can cause severe harm to the body and even death when consumed in excess.
A working mother of three, Mary Allwood, learned just how detrimental excess could be. The woman became dependent on the energy drink, Red Bull, and increasingly drank more and more of the caffeinated drink to get through her day.
The company’s slogan “Red Bull gives you wings” rang true for Allwood. Her busy schedule made her feel like she needed an extra jolt to get through the day, so she started drinking one or two cans daily.
Consuming the beverage regularly increased the woman’s tolerance. Within months she needed to drink more in order to feel that same “go-getter” attitude she had grown accustomed to.
At her peak, Allwood was consuming twenty drinks everyday.
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She would have two first thing in the morning and would drink the rest throughout the day.
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The woman craved the taste and fizziness. She said she felt awful if she didn’t have a Red Bull.
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Twenty cans of Red Bull has the same amount of sugar as seventeen Mars bars and is equivalent in caffeine to sixteen cups of coffee. Allwood gained a significant amount of weight during her addiction and eventually checked into the hospital after experiencing extreme pain.
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When doctors ran tests, they found that the woman’s liver had doubled in size—a symptom that is common with severe alcoholics.
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The health scare encouraged Allwood to change her life. She has since weaned herself off of the drinks and lost the extra weight that accompanied her addiction.
IMAGE SOURCE: DAILYMAIL
Who would have known that all of this could happen from an energy drink?
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