First it was coffee, then soda pop that gave people that quick “pick me up” of the day. Now, energy drinks have taken over- giving consumers more than just a caffeine buzz, but instead an intense jolt of caffeine, sodium, sugar and more.
In recent years, the energy drink market has boomed
by convincing credulous people into believing that
through drinking these beverages--loaded with
countless ingredients including methylxanthines,
vitamins, herbs and other ingredients--they will
acquire a burst of energy and healthy additives.
Lissi Eisenstein, a junior at Roeper High School, shares with The Highlander her so called “addiction” to the popular energy drinks.
“Every morning I wake up and drink either Red Bull or Monster,” said Eisenstein. “They give me my energy for the day. I would not be able to function right without them.”
While many people can easily believe that Eisenstein’s daily Red Bull dependence is no different than when people drink coffee every morning, there are serious side effects that accompany excessive consumption.
“Energy drinks are very mysterious,” said Melissa Knudson, registered dietician. “These drinks raise heart rate and blood pressure, dehydrate the body and cause insomnia.”
Though energy drinks have been beverages that
have remained under the radar since their first 1901
debut, they surprisingly have reached an increased
popularity level in 2001, when the US energy drink
market grew to over 8 million drinks sold.
The energy drink business is constantly soaring at an unstoppable rate. Since 2005, the drink sales have grown 50% yearly- reaching $4 billion. By 2010 sales are expected to hit $10 billion.
“I have always loved energy drinks,” said sophomore Xavier Faraj. “The bottles are so sweet and they taste pretty good too.”
Though energy drinks obtain eye-catching designs and the tempting flavors options, some consumers are unaware of the health risks that accompany seemingly harmless refreshments.
Caffeine is one of the biggest concerns. The FDA
limits 65mg of caffeine in any given 12-ounce soda.
However, the FDA does not regulate the amount of
caffeine that goes into energy drinks. Most energy
drinks including the popular Red Bull, Monster,
Amp, Rockstar and many more, greatly exceed this
limit- a tiny 8.4-ounce serving can have as much as
360mg of caffeine.
“It’s really weird. I am so used to drinking a lot of caffiene from coffee and lots of soda, when I don’t get enough of it I feel like I have no energy,” said senior Courtney Muir.
According to one recent study, adults should not exceed more that 400mg of caffeine a day and children and women should consume no more that 300mg of caffeine a day, in order to prevent any side effects.
This massive caffeine intake has the potential
to greatly increase anxiety, panic, stomach
problems and some
cardiac arrhythmias.
Excessive caffeine
also leads to insomnia
and the jitters, along
with nervousness,
irritability,
tremulousness, muscle
twitching, head
aches and respiratory
alkalosis.
Another severe health risk of energy drinks is their unknown witch’s brew of ingredients. Possibly the most common energy drink ingredient is taurine, which is something that we naturally acquire from foods containing vitamin B6. Throughout the day, most people receive enough taurine in their diets. Adding the extra boost of the energy drink element can cause the human body to become toxic.
Guarana, a central nervous system stimulant, is another highly notable energy drink component. It contains a high amount of guaranine, a chemical substance with the same characteristics as caffeine. The effects of guarana can be just as drastic, if not more, than those of caffeine including: heart palpitations, arythmias, nervousness, irritability, stomach problems and lower stress endurance.
Other energy drink ingredients include B vitamins, ginseng, gingko biloba, L-carnintine, antioxidants and lots of sugars.
Perhaps one of the most dangerous, and potentially fatal, health risks associated with energy drink is their abuse as alcohol mixers. Alcohol is a depressant and energy drinks are stimulants—mix the two together and the consequences can be highly dangerous.
“I drink Red Bull and vodka all the time on the
weekends,” one anonymous Seaholm told the
Highlander. “I always end up blacking out for some
reason after drinking a few of them.”
Red bull and vodka is one of the most common energy drink mixers. Side effects of the exotic combinations can lead to serious dehydration- the main contributor to hangovers.
“The biggest concern with alcohol being mixed with energy drinks is the dehydration that results,” Beaumont Pediatrician Kathleen Mammel said. “Alcohol and energy drinks are both diuretics. After people have had too much to drink, they will not be able to recognize that they need to stop due to dehydration, which obscures the body’s perception of fatigue.”
And for those looking to revitalize and re-energize, when it comes to beverages, less is more.
“Adolescents should really try to drink mostly water,” said Mammel. “The fewer ingredients there are, the better the item is for you.”
