Energy drinks are all the rage these days. They are sold everywhere. They are being marketed to consumers under the age of 30, and a niche market has become college students and athletes. More marketing is taking place aimed at young people, despite the fact that many energy drinks have warnings on the can that they are not for children. Manufacturers may claim they are not marketing children, but when distributors say they want to come to our schools and distribute free products and brochures, it sounds to me like they are marketing children.
They are a convenient drink marketed as energy drinks that keep you active and alert. Energy drinks do not offer any good nutrients that our bodies need. They offer health risks.
o Energy drinks contain large doses of caffeine and sugar along with other stimulants such as ephedrine, guarana, and ginseng.
o Energy drinks contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. The difference between having a cup of coffee and an energy drink is that the coffee is sipped, the energy drinks are gulped down, and many times they are drunk one after the other.
o Consumed quickly, caffeine and sugar rush into your bloodstream, giving you a caffeine jolt and raising your blood sugar levels and blood pressure, making your heart beat faster.
o High levels of sugar and caffeine can produce symptoms including irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and nausea severe enough to require hospitalization.
o Energy drinks are also known to dehydrate our body if we drink them while exercising.
oEnergy drinks have become popular as mixers for alcoholic beverages. The quick energy provided by the caffeine and sugar counteracts the drowsiness that alcohol produces, and the drinker can have fun for longer.
oThey will also enjoy a greater hangover the next morning thanks to the dehydration produced by the caffeine.
o A hidden danger is that drinkers may not realize how intoxicated they are and try to drive or drink excessively.
o Once the stimulant effect of caffeine wears off, central nervous system depression remains and the drinker may vomit in their sleep, breathe in the vomit and choke, or experience respiratory distress.
Pregnant women and children should never drink energy drinks.
My family gets healthy energy through fruits, vegetables and more, naturally.
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