I drank 8 Lucozade bottles a DAY for 30 years spending hundreds a month but I’ve had to stop after a health scare
A grandad who drank eight bottles of Lucozade a day for almost 30 years is losing weight after a minor stroke.
Garry Johnson, 65, said his sugar levels were “off the scale” due to his energy drink habit.
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The single father of three has managed to halve his consumption but still has constant cravings.
Garry began drinking sugary drinks after quitting drugs with the birth of his first son in the early 1990s.
The retired painter and decorator drank eight 380ml bottles of Lucozade Original every day and spent £150 a month on his habit.
He swore he would never give it up – despite three heart attacks.
But in August, after a minor stroke, Garry temporarily lost vision in one eye and had pain in his neck and chest.
Doctors told him that his veins were constricting due to his sugar consumption – and that a severe stroke would result.
Garry, from Basildon, Essex, said: “They warned me that if I didn’t change it could damage my liver and kidneys and even cause diabetes. “It was the wake-up call I needed.”
He limits himself to four bottles a day and invests the money he saves in treats for his grandchildren.
Garry said: “I did cocaine every day but it was a piece of cake to stop.
“But I always knew it would be really hard for me to ever give up Lucozade. I still long for it.”
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Lucozade: the health risks
When it comes to energy drinks, the old adage “everything in moderation” is especially true.
According to their website, Lucozade Energy is safe for healthy adults to drink as part of a varied and balanced diet unless otherwise recommended by a healthcare professional.
Various scientific studies have found that energy drinks can increase the risk of health problems, including poor mental health, heart problems, dental problems and risk-taking behavior.
The NHS recommends drinking caffeine in moderation and notes that some people are more sensitive than others.
Government guidelines suggest that single doses of up to 200 mg of caffeine and a daily caffeine intake of up to 400 mg are considered safe for healthy adults.
If you are pregnant, the NHS recommends limiting your daily intake to 200mg.
One bottle of Lucozade Energy contains approximately 12 mg of caffeine per 100 ml.
For more information, visit the NHS website or speak to your doctor.