Energy Drinks And Teenagers, A Risky Combination

Teenagers love them and are often seen with them, but their so called energizing companions are proving to be harmful for the younger generation with side effects which can be termed as nothing less than risky, for the generation next.

Energy drinks, which are actually soft drinks containing lesser calories yet professed to be more energizing than their aerated counterparts, are bringing out surprisingly risky behavior in teenagers and young adults thanks to the super-caffeinated make up of these drinks.

Marketed by their respective companies as beverages providing extra energy and enhanced physical performance, these drinks have been facing lot of controversies regarding the actuality of their performance.

There are a large number of energy drink brands in the market, like Red Bull, Monster, Full Throttle etc to name a few, which have become popular among the 12 to 24 years bracket. This is the section of consumers which contributes to more than $3 billion in annual sales of these energy drinks across the United States.

However this is the same bracket, health concerns for which are growing amongst researchers, as well as school officials as, due to the large amounts of energy drinks consumed on regular basis by this category of youngsters, they are experiencing side effects like nausea, palpitationdefine, sickness and changed heart rhythms.

However, besides these side effects a much broader and more worrisome face of the problem is staring towards us. Besides other components like vitamins, herbs, carbonated water etc, the energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine in them. This, say the researchers, is the main reason behind the show of risky behavior in teens.

Going by numbers and research, a study published in the Journal of American College Health, suggests that the consumption of high levels of caffeine leads to what is termed as the ‘toxic jock’ behavior. This kind of behavior can be recognized by the following signs-

• Aggressive behavior
• Inclination towards unprotected sex
• Substance abuse
• Indulging in violence
• Inclination towards taking risks

"It appears the kids who are heavily into drinking energy drinks are more likely to be the ones who are inclined toward taking risks," said Kathleen Miller an addiction researcher at the University of Buffalo and the study’s author

According to researchers the caffeine content in these energy drinks is much higher than that in a cup of coffee or soft drinks. For every 12 ounce serving of these energy drinks caffeine in –

• Amp is 107 mg
• Monster is 120 mg
• Red bull is 116 mg
• Spike shooter is 428 mg

This is much higher than the 34 -38 mg found in 12ounces of Coca cola /Pepsi. Such high levels of caffeine rich energy drinks when mixed with alcohol by the youngsters, leads to them getting drunk badly without even realizing it. However, the visual and motor responses are impaired the same way as in drinking pure alcohol.

The drinks are harmful for patients suffering from seizures and also for pregnant women. In many countries these drinks have been banned and others are contemplating the same.