The Health Risks of Energy Drinks

As most students know, high school can be exhausting. Between studies, sports, and social and extracurricular activities, it's not strange to feel tired at times. Energy drinks with high caffeine content are a popular way for many teens to be more alert and have more energy. Some drink them just for the way they taste and others are motivated by the drinks make them feel. Despite their popularity, energy drinks aren't as safe as they may seem and can have a negative impact on health from the heart to the teeth.

Energy Drink Facts

With so much information about energy drinks, it's often hard to know the truth about them. Marketing makes them appealing to both teens and adults, but it doesn't provide many facts. By knowing the facts, teens can better understand what they're putting into their bodies whenever they need a boost from energy drinks.

• Energy drinks may contain as much as 100 to 300 mg of caffeine per serving.
• Approximately 50% of adolescents consume energy drinks.
• Many energy drinks contain the ingredient guarana, which contains stimulants such as caffeine. Guarana seed extract adds more caffeine than what manufacturers list on the can.
• The safety of guarana for teen consumption has not been tested.
• A single energy drink can exceed the recommended daily amount of sugar.
• They aren't the same as sports drinks.
• The artificial sweeteners in zero-calorie and zero-sugar energy drinks can cause sweet cravings and hunger.

Health Risks and Side-Effects

It might be easy to believe that energy drinks are harmless. They're easy to buy and advertising is frequent, humorous, and full of loud claims of boosting energy while improving both physical and mental performance. Unfortunately, despite clever marketing efforts, energy drinks aren't healthy, especially for children and teens. Because they are loaded with caffeine and other additives, there are many potential side effects that are damaging to one's teeth and general health.

• Energy drinks can interfere with sleep patterns and cause insomnia and fatigue.
• The high acidity and sugar in energy drinks negatively impact the teeth by eroding enamel and causing cavities.
• Teens that drink excessive energy drinks may experience an increase in their blood pressure and may develop heart problems, such as irregular heart rhythms.
• The consumption of highly caffeinated items, such as energy drinks, may negatively impact the development of nervous and cardiovascular systems.
• Agitation, rambling, and nervousness are all unpleasant side effects that come from drinking too much caffeine.
• Drinking too many energy drinks and too little milk can increase the risk of osteoporosis in the future.
• Too much caffeine can stunt brain development by hindering important neural connections that typically occur in one's early twenties.
• An increased need to pee and dehydration are both common side effects associated with energy drinks.
• Energy drinks can worsen existing problems for teens with certain health conditions, such as diabetes and heart problems.

Caffeine Withdrawal

When people drink too much caffeine, they can become dependent and need it regularly. Like most drug dependencies, stopping is often difficult if done incorrectly, and it's possible to suffer from withdrawal if one stops too abruptly. This can cause various problems, like making it difficult to concentrate while in class.

• According to researchers, caffeine withdrawal is a disorder.
• Even small amounts of caffeine can cause caffeine dependence.
• Withdrawal symptoms start within 12-24 hours after the last energy drink.
• Withdrawal causes symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, brain fog, and irritability.

Dangers of Mixing Alcohol and Energy Drinks

Mixing alcohol with energy drinks is increasingly popular in high school. Some combine the two to lessen the taste of alcohol or for the feeling that they get. Mixing alcohol and energy drinks can have harmful and even deadly consequences.

• People between the ages of 15 and 23 are more likely to be high-intensity binge drinkers when they combine alcohol and energy drinks.
• Energy drinks make it difficult to recognize feelings of intoxication.
• People who combine alcohol and energy drinks take greater risks and have poor judgment.
• Teens are more likely to be involved in alcohol-related incidents when they combine the two types of drinks.
• When combined, depressants and stimulants can negatively impact the heart.
• Because teens are less likely to feel drunk, there is a greater risk of alcohol poisoning, which can shut down certain parts of the brain.

How to Naturally Get Energy

Energy drinks promise a quick boost of energy, but there are healthier ways to feel more energetic. Simple things, like eating a healthy breakfast, can be a metabolism booster that helps teens start their day more alert and energetic.

• The human body needs water to function properly. Because dehydration can cause fatigue, it's important to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water to stay hydrated.
• Stay away from junk food. Stick with a healthy diet by cutting out processed food and food that's high in sugar and saturated fats.
• Unsaturated fats, like those found in nuts, avocados, and seeds, are healthy and help provide energy.
• Have a healthy snack between meals to prevent dips in blood sugar that can cause tiredness.
• Lack of quality sleep drains energy while getting a good night's rest restores it. Turn off the cell phone, television, and anything that can be a distraction to a good night's rest.
• Exercise boosts energy levels, plus it's also helpful for getting a good night's sleep.

Additional Resources on the Risks of Energy Drinks

• Health Information: Energy Drinks - Energy drinks are a popular, highly caffeinated drink with many safety concerns. This page on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health provides readers with health and safety concerns regarding energy drinks and their ingredients.
• The Mix with Dangerous Risks: Energy Drinks and Alcohol - Alcohol and energy drinks are a dangerous combination. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board website has information about the consequences, their dangerous physical effects, and studies that back up these concerns.
• Why You Shouldn't Mix Energy Drinks and Alcohol - Visit the Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials page for information on the dangers of mixing energy drinks with alcohol. Besides caffeine's effect on intoxication, the page also reviews energy drink concerns and risks, and alternatives to mixing the two drinks.
• The Buzz on Energy Drinks - This infographic outlines energy drinks with a focus on how they affect kids. Readers who open this document will find answers to what energy drinks are, the amount of sugar in a single can, and why drinking them is a risk.
• The Nutrition Source: Energy Drinks - To learn more about energy drinks, click on this link to read how they impact one's health, including their high sugar content, excessive caffeine, and their lack of regulation.
• The Buzz on Energy Drinks - Energy drinks are high in caffeine and are popular with teens across the country. Read how caffeine impacts one's health by clicking on this link. The page also includes two recipes that can give people alternative drinks for extra energy.
• Energy Drain - Caffeine in energy drinks exceeds what adolescents should consume. Read more about the amount of caffeine found in energy drinks and the problems that they can cause.
• Feeling Jittery? Caffeine Withdrawal is a Mental Disorder - Caffeine withdrawal can be an issue for people who regularly consume energy drinks. Discover more about it and its symptoms by visiting this page.
• Kids and Energy Drinks - This page includes information about energy drink ingredients, their impact on diet, young athletes, and child obesity. Readers can also learn about the dangers of kids combining energy drinks and alcohol.
• Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks - This TeensHealth page explains the two different drinks and how the high-sugar content and caffeine can cause problems such as damage to teeth and upset stomach.
• Overview of Energy and Sports Drinks - Open this page to learn what energy drinks and sports drinks are and whether they are safe for adults, children, or teens. The page also includes information on whether they are useful and concerns regarding the use of energy drinks.
• The 7 Side Effects of Mixing Alcohol with Caffeine - Mixing alcohol with energy drinks is a dangerous but common practice among teens and young adults. Read about seven common side effects that teens may experience because of this combination, why they do it, and what happens to their bodies.
• Watch for Hidden Dangers Lurking in Energy Drinks - Anyone who consumes energy drinks should know the risks. This page of the Banner Health website outlines the dangers of using energy drinks and provides readers with information on choosing energy drinks and alternatives.
• Brain Juice - Review the history of energy drinks, ingredients, health effects, and other ways to find energy. The page also features information about the signs of abuse, energy drinks and alcohol, and ingredients.
• The Do's and Don'ts of Eating for Energy - Eating the right foods is a healthy way for people to get more energy. Here, readers will find common guidelines about what to eat for energy.
• Nine Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels - Energy drinks aren't the only answer when in need of an energy boost. People looking for natural ways to boost their energy will find nine simple and natural strategies that anyone can do.