Energy drinks are consumed to increase the concentration levels of an individual. This is normally the case when the energy drinks are consumed in moderation. When consumed in average quantities, the effects are similar to drinking a cup of coffee. Ideally, energy drinks contain caffeine in high quantities. Hayes and Laudan (311) indicate that energy drinks are targeted to the young adults who are normally college students who study late or want to party. Further, there is also an increasing use of energy drinks by online gamers and athletes (Hayes and Laudan 311). Energy drink consumption poses a serious health hazard to the general population. The energy drinks do not provide any health benefits to an individual. According to Pometanz, Munsell and Harris (2), 11 percent of the emergency room visits is attributed to energy drink consumption. This is among the adolescents only.
Caffeine is the most common ingredient in the energy drinks. However, the energy drinks contain other ingredients such as taurine, herbal supplements like guarana and ginseng, gluconolactone and vitamin B, which are in quantities that exceed the recommended dietary intake (Burrows, Pursey, Neve and Stanwell 135). The Food and Drug Administration also do not test energy drinks (Hayes and Laudan 311). Thus, the level of safety and effectiveness of the amount and mixture of ingredients used cannot be proven (Boyle and Roth 273). Burrows, Pursey, Neve and Stanwell (135) note that the energy drink, Red Bull, was banned in France in 2008, because of the unknown effects of the ingredient taurine. High quantities of guarana can lead to excessive nervousness and insomnia to individuals sensitive to caffeine (Watson, Preedy and Zibadi 258). This, in certain cases, may lead to caffeine toxicity. Cases of caffeine toxicity among the youth have been increasing. According to Pometanz, Munsell and Harris (6), in 2007, 5448 cases of caffeine toxicity were reported in the United States among youth aged below 19 years. This is a concern since increased levels of caffeine in children bodies may adversely affect the development of the neurological and cardiovascular systems.
The use of energy drinks is believed to lead to health safety concerns owing to the anecdotal and casual relations between their consumption and acute cardiac events (Wilson 104). Children can be significantly affected when consuming energy drinks. Further, individuals affected by the consumption of caffeine can be highly affected when they consume energy drinks. High consumption of energy drinks by a person affected by caffeine can result in anxiety. The consumption of alcohol and energy drinks is considered risky. According to Hayes and Laudan (312), energy drinks make the brain more active while alcohol reduces the activity of the brain. When the energy drink levels in a person reduce, illness develops, and incidents of alcohol poisoning and dehydration may result (Hayes and Laudan 312). Energy drink consumption in some countries is believed to cause liver damage, hypertension, and cardiac dysrhythmias incidents (Burrows, Pursey, Neve and Stanwell 136). Other effects of consuming energy drinks include increased heart rates, seizures, strokes, and acute mania. Individuals addicted to consumption of energy drinks may suffer from caffeine withdrawal once they decide to quite consuming energy drinks. According to Boyle and Roth (274), withdrawal symptoms include headaches, reduced concentration, and mood swings.
Works Cited
Boyle, Marie A., and Sara Long Roth. Personal nutrition. 8th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning, 2013. Print.
Hayes, Dayle, and Rachel Laudan. Food and nutrition / editorial advisers, Dayle Hayes, Rachel
Laudan. New York: Marshall Cavendish Reference, 2009. Print.
Burrows Tracy, Peter Stanwell, Kirrilly Pursey and Melinda Neve. "What Are The Health Implications Associated With The Consumption Of
Energy Drinks? A Systematic Review."Nutrition Reviews 71.3 (2013): 135-148. Hospitality & Tourism Complete. Web. 3 June 2013.
Pomeranz, Jennifer L., Christina R. Munsell, and Jennifer L. Harris. "Energy drinks: An
Emerging public health hazard for youth." Journal of Public Health Policy34.2 (2013): 254-271. Print.
Watson, Ronald R., Victor R. Preedy, and Sherma Zibadi. Alcohol, Nutrition, and Health
Consequences. Dordrecht: Springer, 2012. Print.
Wilson, Ted. Nutrition guide for physicians. Totowa, N.J.: Humana, 2010. Print.
