Introduction
Energy drinks contain high levels of sugar and little nutritional value just like soft drinks. For instance, every 250 ml can of Red Bull drink comprises of approximately five teaspoons of sugar. The most significant difference that exists between energy drinks and soft drinks is the substantial amount of doses of caffeine contained in energy drinks. Every 500 ml of every energy drink has around 160-300mg of caffeine. This is too high because a cup of tea contains 20-60mg of caffeine while a cup of coffee contains 40-80mg of caffeine. A tablet of No-Dose contains 100mg of caffeine. It also comes with a warning label. Additionally, some energy drinks brands contain other additives like taurine, ginseng, B vitamins and ephedrine. This paper will explore the negative and positive implications associated with energy drinks. It will always identify the contents of energy drinks that are responsible for harmful effects. Finally the paper will provide a conclusive stand on the main message.
Health risks associated of energy drinks for teenagers
The implications associated with energy drinks consumption by the youth are varied. The health risks associated with energy drinks are serious. In France, an eighteen year old athlete passed on while on the court playing basketball. He had reportedly consumed 4 Red Bull cans just before match. As a result, the government imposed a ban on the drink. High content of caffeine is the major concern about energy drinks. When caffeine is consumed in high contents like it is present in energy drinks, adverse effects are likely to follow. Some of these effects include insomnia, nervousness, diarrhea, headache, rapid heart attack, hypertension, anxiety and psychological dependence on caffeine. “Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits caffeine content in soft drinks, which are categorized as food, there is no such regulation of energy drinks, which are classified as dietary supplements” ( Sevo 89). Many teenagers have exhibited either or a combination of these effects. Some show these effects during their study durations after consuming their drinks on their way to school. They have been reported to show poor concentrations while in class in addition to their disruptive behaviors. Some other teenagers have also ended up in emergency wards of hospitals with palpitations of the heart. There have also been emerging new trends of energy drinks combination with alcohol. An alcoholism and clinical experimental research study carried out in April 2006 found out that caffeine is detrimental when added to alcohol. It causes alcohol users to feel less drunk and yet their visual reaction time and coordination remained similarly impaired as the effects of alcohol. Therefore combining alcohol drinks with energy drinks could lead to increased night violence associated with drunkenness (Marks 30). Energy drinks contain high contents of kilojoules just like soft drinks. Consequently, they can lead to excessive weight gain problems. Teens who usually partake in inactive activities like playing computer games up to very late in the night sometimes resort to energy drinks so as to keep them awake for so long. In the end, they end up gaining a lot of weight. Additionally, energy drinks are also associated high contents of sugar and this leads to erosion of the teeth. When compared with other fizzy drinks, energy drinks contain higher acid levels. Acid is more dangerous than bacteria that only cause decay. Acids have the potential to damage the surface of the enamel of the teeth and subsequently cause dental erosion (Corbin, McConnell and Masurier 78). Although caffeine is not so much used as an ingredient, some of the top selling energy drinks have higher levels ranging from 154 to 280mg in every can. The law requires the average levels of caffeine in tea and coffee to be a maximum of 65mg per cup. It is however recommended that only a maximum of 300 mg of caffeine should be consumed in a day by children and reproductive aged women. In adolescents and teenagers higher levels of caffeine include anxiety, digestive problems, irritability, nausea, insomnia and sleepiness, elevated blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, cardiac arrhythmias and urinary frequency. Children who consume 120-145mg of caffeine daily have also been observed to demonstrate some withdrawal symptoms over a period of two weeks ( Meltzer and Ministerråd 49). In athletes, heavy caffeine consumption has cardiovascular effects that can be fatal. The high levels of caffeine have also diuretic effects that could cause dehydration in athletes especially those who fail to consume plenty of water and fluids as compensation. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) lifted caffeine from the list of substances to be banned in the year 2004 but it is now reconsidering that decision. When quantities of caffeine that equals 5 to 8 coffee cups that is consumed in an hour are found in an energy drink, then it passes out as an abuse. There have been some studies done on depressed youths. It was discovered that they use more caffeine as compared to non-depressed youths. Besides, caffeine found in energy drinks will more likely aggravate daily anxiety. Other studies have also shown that daily use of caffeine is linked with clinical dependence. This includes even those who only take between two to three cups of coffee daily. The same study found out that teenagers who qualified for marijuana or had other drug related dependencies recorded more significant caffeine consumption as compared to those who are not dependent on marijuana or other drugs. “Due to the link between energy drinks and cardiac events among teens, studies recommends that teens consume no more than one 250 ml energy drink per day and not before or during sports or exercise” ( Dillon 39).
There are some specific contents that are responsible for harm in energy drinks. Teenagers who are used to consuming in excess of six cups of coffee during the past month are more likely to use alcohol or tobacco. This is according to a study that was done on more than five thousand seventh graders. Energy drinks combined with alcohol comes with dire potential for abuse and harm. These uses lead to diminished intensity responses that in turn lead to tolerance. As a result, alcohol of higher does will be required for attaining the initial effect ( Miller 74). The consumption of caffeine by children and teenagers should not go beyond 100mg and 2.5mg/kg in a day. For instance, 8 oz of Red Bull has 77 mg of caffeine, 2.2 mg/kg for a 35-kg preteen and 1.1mg/kg for 70-kg male. Adults and teenagers experience different effects of caffeine. While it is true that there is no clear line of separation for the effects, boys exhibit more speech rates, motor activity and reduced times of reaction as compared to men. On the other hand, blood pressure effects are similar for both adults and teenagers. Although caffeine can improve attention, it also contributes to disturbance of sleep and increase in pressure among the teenagers. When teenagers who are used to energy drinks consumption abandons their behavior, their reaction time rises as the attention decreases. On the other hand, reaction time decreases with every increase in the dosage of caffeine among teenagers. Habitual caffeine consumption users have withdrawal symptoms such as dulled cognition and headache. Additionally, caffeine has impacts on the future preferences of beverages and food by acting on the development on the addiction and brain reward center of teenagers. However, this might be a gender specific effect. Caffeine soda is apparently more reinforcing on boys than girls. It is sad that despite all these observations, energy drinks are still marketed to directly appeal to the youths and teenagers. The advertisements are designed as style statements to be associated with especially by male teenagers. A message is passed across that the drink comes with some strength that is associated with excitement and status. Furthermore, the stronger the drink, the more appealing it is to teenagers. It influences teenagers to feel the urge of portraying an image to the world. Energy drinks with high caffeine levels have been banned in some European countries. Elsewhere, social activists are advocating for appropriate warnings and clearer labeling.
Benefits of associated of energy drinks for teenagers
On the other hand, energy drinks can be instrumental in the life of an individual. Energy drinks have been associated with successful performances in sports and athletics. A teenager who regularly consumes energy drinks get through the day very well. He or she is happy and stress free and this can generate positivity and more productivity. Some of the ingredients found in energy drinks like caffeine and guarana have positive stimulating effects on users. Gurana is apparently an herbal ingredient that is extracted from plants and contains caffeine. Soon after consuming these energy drinks, teenagers demonstrate mental alertness and enhanced concentration in whatever they undertake to do. This is a positive for productivity. Guarana is known to increase energy, promote the loss of weight loss and enhance physical performance. As a result, users of energy drinks can keep fit and escape lifestyle diseases. Energy drinks are known to boost energy. It provides the necessary energy for doing things quickly so one can easily meet deadlines. One can lend a hand to finish things more quickly. At times of need, a person can find help in energy drinks for energy boosting and sharpening alertness. This is especially useful during the afternoons when concentration levels are low. Additionally, energy drinks also maximizes a workout. The drinks are used by athletes for maximizing their training and workouts. The drinks also help in pushing physical parameters to extremes and so a person can work out for longer hours even in the absence of an energy drink. They also ensure convenience since they are highly accessible for energy level increase. It is more convenient to take an energy drink rather than waiting for coffee to brew. Besides, it is faster than rejuvenating through taking a nap.
Conclusion
All these efforts can however be successful if there are sufficient personal responsibility and education. It is foolhardy to wait for an action from the government. Adults can be on the forefront of educating their teenagers on the implications and consequences of energy drinks. It is important for adults to advise their teens that caffeine leads to the dehydration of the body and therefore teens should always take caffeinated beverages with a lot of water. Consumption of energy drinks together with alcohols at the same time places people in dangerous circumstances. Besides, regular and consistent intake of caffeine can lead to psychological dependence and this is associated with severe side effects. Moreover, teenagers with sedentary lifestyles are more likely to suffer obesity related problems if they rely on energy drinks. The trouble however exists with adults who equally partake high levels of energy drinks. It’s a challenge to convince teenagers on the dangers of such drinks if they also consume them.
References
Miller, Peter M. Principles of addiction. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 2013. Print.
Dillon, Paul . Teenagers, Alcohol and Drugs : What Your Kids Really Want and Need to Know About Alcohol and Drugs. Sydney : Allen & Unwin, 2009. Print.
Meltzer, Helle Margrete and Nordisk Ministerråd. Risk assessment of caffeine among children and adolescents in the Nordic countries. Kbh.: Nordisk Ministerråd : Nordisk Råd, 2008. Print.
Sevo, Margot De. Pediatric nursing : content review plus practice questions. Philadelphia, PA : F.A. Davis Company, 2015. Print.
Corbin, Charles B, et al. Health opportunities through physical education. Champaign, IL : Human Kinetics, 2014. Print.
Marks, Ray. Health literacy and school-based health education. Bingley, UK : Emerald, 2012. Print.
