Bubbly, fizzy energy drinks that are advertised as having boosting effects have taken student life by storm. The variety, availability and good flavor seem to be the root of the craze, however, many are facing health issues as a result of having too much.
According to PRO Engineering / Manufacturing Inc., energy drinks were developed in Japan during the 1960’s, the first energy drink being Lipovitan-D, marketed as a medicinal tonic to help combat fatigue. These drinks had a variety of ingredients that helped achieve this purpose. It contained a mix of B vitamins, taurine, an amino acid found in the brain and heart, and caffeine, commonly known to increase alertness.
Energy drinks were originally meant for individuals who worked long hours, and as their popularity and availability spread across the globe it’s no wonder students have caught onto it as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 30%-50% of adolescents are reported to consume energy drinks. This high amount of energy drink consumption has correlated to a significant number of adolescents facing health related issues. In 2011 alone, adolescents aged 12 to 17 went to the emergency room for an energy drink related emergency.
This is due to the ingredients in the drinks themselves. Common ingredients like caffeine, taurine, guarana (a plant native to Brazil), and L-carnitine (amino acid) are reported to increase blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. As expected, various consumers of energy drinks will experience different effects, some more than others. However, general complications recognized in almost every situation are: dehydration, irregular heartbeat, anxiety and insomnia.
Despite the obvious problems energy drinks pose when consumed excessively, much hasn’t actually been done to combat the issue. For instance, 75% of school districts do not have a policy about these types of highly caffeinated drinks for sale at schools. This means that the majority of students have great availability of buying these drinks since there are no regulations against them. They are sold practically everywhere, from vending machines to stores, all in areas where students are prevalent.
With the evidence from recent times, hopefully schools can educate students on the effects energy drinks may have on them. For example, adding a section about energy drinks to a health class curriculum may assist in bringing awareness to students and guide their dietary choices. So, of course, despite energy drinks seeming to be everyone’s popular bubbly and fizzy go-to, know the limits so you can avoid negative health complications.
