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Energy drinks pose dangersWednesday, March 03, 2010 By By Elysia Cook,Heritage High School
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Despite evidence that shows the negative effects of energy drinks on the human body, however, sales have skyrocketed over the past decade and the beverages currently are more popular than ever among teenagers. The mixture of stimulating ingredients and sugary additives is an irresistible combination that provides a burst of energy for the consumer and rakes in profits for the manufacturers. According to some medical experts, the biggest concern surrounding energy drinks isn’t how much sugar or caffeine is in them. Even though most energy drinks contain over 30 grams of sugar per 8 oz. can, a Snickers candy bar and an 8 oz. cup of Mott’s apple juice contain nearly the same amount. In addition, the caffeine content in energy drinks varies and can be either higher or lower than most mainstream coffee drinks. As a report on labnol.org shows, a 12 oz. cup of Starbucks coffee contains over 250 mg of caffeine while a 16 oz. can of Monster or Rockstar contains half that amount. On the other hand, a 16 oz. cup of Dunkin’ Donuts or McDonald’s coffee contains less than 150 mg of caffeine while a 12 oz. can of JOLT Energy contains nearly 300 mg of caffeine, the limit where most people experience caffeine intoxication. The main problem surrounding energy drinks is that they contain other strange, hard-to-pronounce ingredients that are primary contributors to a “crash and burn” effect on the body. The most common ingredients are taurine, guarana, and ginseng. These “natural supplements” are the main culprits of the side effects that many drinkers experience because they stimulate the body at a fast rate. In a webmd.com article written by Kathleen M. Zelman, sport dietetics specialist Cynthia Sass says that most of those “high-tech-sounding ingredients” are not monitored and have no nutritional value. She also claims they are “potentially harmful.” Combine those ingredients with the kick of sugar and caffeine, and the end result isn’t exactly a doctor’s cup of tea. Another lesser-known ingredient some energy drinks contain is the stimulant ephedrine, which is also used in decongestants. Medical research shows that the two types of ingredients combined can cause heart problems, as supported when two high school student athletes in Burbank, California, in 2001 fainted after consuming energy drinks containing ephedrine.. “It’s death in a can,” Heritage senior TJ Mixon said. He usually drinks two energy drinks a day, but doesn’t feel much of a buzz anymore because he’s become resistant to the energy-boosting effects over the years. While some people are dependent on energy drinks to stay awake, others chug them simply for the taste. Kyle Vasconcellos, another senior at Heritage, said that he drinks energy drinks “just for the flavor. I don’t really even feel any sort of energy boost from the caffeine.” On the flip side, some people rely on energy drinks in order to function everyday. Ryan Carlisle, a sophomore at Heritage, said that he depends on the energy boosts found in energy drinks to keep him from falling asleep. “From homework, studying, practicing all my music, and working out, I'd be knocked out by 7 every night without my Monster,” he said. “When I get a normal night of sleep, I feel pretty groggy without one. And if I have a bad night sleep, I’ll fall asleep without one.” Yasmin Khan, a Heritage senior, said, “They keep me awake through school. I have headaches if I don’t drink it (an energy drink) for a couple of days. “I probably spend $50 a month on Rockstars.” For those who can’t fathom the idea of giving up energy drinks, cutting down your energy drink intake to help out your heart and your budget. But if the idea seems feasible, doctors recommend going for healthier alternatives instead of grabbing a Monster or a Rockstar the next time you’re thirsty. Heritage senior and energy drink consumer Chance Rowley said that he feels “thirsty” when he goes without an energy drink, but “usually I drink something else instead, some tea or whatever.” Try drinking fruit juices containing naturally occurring sugars, coffee, tea, and—the cheapest and healthiest alternative of all—water. Experts say that these options may not deliver the same punch of energy that energy drinks offer, but they won’t put you at risk for heart palpitations either. |