The buzz about energy drinks

With their bright packaging and flashy logos, it’s unsurprising that energy drinks have caught the attention of this generation. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, these drinks are the second most popular dietary supplement consumed by American teens and young adults after multivitamins. As sleep-deprived college students, most of us have probably had some experience with energy drinks. Between your mom warning you that too much caffeine will stunt your growth and your exhausted roommate chugging Monsters before midterms without consequence, it begs the question, what are the risks in consuming energy drinks? 

While caffeinated beverages are widely known to increase mental alertness, physical performance and generally give a boost of energy, there are some issues with frequently consuming energy drinks. According to Mayo Clinic, several symptoms of excessive caffeine consumption include heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety and dehydration. While the effects listed may seem somewhat harmless, more serious situations can certainly arise for certain individuals. Numbers from the CDC website indicate that in 2011 alone, nearly 1,500 adolescents from the ages of 12 to 17 went to the emergency room for energy drink related complications. 

Because energy drinks are considered dietary supplements they are not subject to regulation by the FDA. This means consumers do not have a guarantee that the caffeine amount listed on the label is accurate, potentially leading individuals to consume more of the stimulant than expected. Generally speaking, health experts are somewhat wary as to how truly safe energy drinks are. With the World Health Organization saying that they “may pose danger to public health” and the American Society of Pediatrics cautioning against children and adolescents consuming these beverages, it’s worth being aware of the risks associated with energy drinks.

According to the Mayo Clinic, 400 milligrams of caffeine per day appears to be safe for most adults. Since a typical energy drink contains between 150 to 280 milligrams of caffeine, simply drinking one before a long day of work or a gym session will most likely be harmless. Despite this, it is still recommended to take a cautious approach and monitor caffeine intake. Some simple ideas for reducing caffeine consumption include gradually cutting back on coffee, keeping a record of all stimulant products throughout the day and substituting in decaf or water.

By Nicole Hardt