They can be dangerous: Doctors reveal truth about popular oxygen cocktails
Why oxygen cocktails are not good for health (collage: RBC-Ukraine)
Oxygen cocktails have become an unforgettable attribute at health resorts. They are recommended for cleansing the body. However, such cocktails offer little real benefit and have generated many myths around them, according to the Telegram page of the Ukrainian medical community Berezhy sebe (Take care of yourself).
Are oxygen cocktails really that beneficial
The miracle drink, enriched with oxygen, is often found in parks, children's camps, or gyms. It is recommended for cleansing the body, improving the condition of organs, hair, and skin, enhancing attention, weight loss, and more.
Typically, such a drink consists of regular juice, sugar syrup, or some herbal solution, which is oxygenated using an oxygen concentrator.
The fact is, the oxygen in the drink does not participate in the gas exchange processes occurring in the lungs and tissues of the body. In high concentrations, it is actually dangerous, as it can damage cell membranes, DNA, accelerate some reactions, and contribute to cellular aging.
Moreover, to make the foam fluffier, raw egg white is often added to the drink, which poses a risk of salmonella. Additionally, these cocktails contain a lot of added sugar, which can later become a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and other health issues.
Impact of excess oxygen on the body
The amount of oxygen in the body should not be increased. Otherwise, free radical chain reactions, aging, and damage to cell membranes and DNA intensify.
Additional oxygen supply is necessary, for example, for patients with acute respiratory arrest, and only through medical equipment. Even premature infants are harmed by excess oxygen, which can lead to vision problems.
Oxygen does not move through the blood as a free molecule; it is toxic to us in that form and is carried either by hemoglobin or iron-containing enzymes.
"In megacities, there's a lack of oxygen," is a common claim by cocktail vendors.
However, humans control their breathing both consciously and unconsciously. When the brain detects a lack of oxygen, a person will take a breath. The only cases where this doesn't work are when the respiratory center is blocked by alcohol or drugs. But in such cases, one should not consume cocktails.
If you truly seek health, the most effective oxygen cocktail is a run in the park or forest after rain, or at least aerobic exercises in a well-ventilated gym.
It is the work of muscles and the heart that improves blood circulation and increases the amount of oxygen reaching our body. Breathing clean air will provide oxygen exactly as needed.
Earlier, we reported why you should absolutely avoid drinking coffee when you’re sleep-deprived.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
