The next epidemic that plagues our generation is the widespread consumption of energy drinks in the diets of people everywhere. With busy lives and early mornings, people search for a source of energy to keep them going. Many find refuge in energy drinks. This pattern is especially common in the youth, as marketing and packaging tactics lure young people in and get them hooked. Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, and many other dangerous ingredients. Let’s take a deep dive into the real dangers of energy drinks and why they are so detrimental to your health.
Your heart is the first thing that is impacted. With the high levels of caffeine and other stimulants, energy drinks can increase your heart rate and your blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both of these instances are major risks for heart disease. There have been rising incidents in young individuals needing medical help due to energy drinks.
This habit is quickly spreading at Green Level. Seniors Lauren Eggers and Reese McElreath report having four energy drinks a week, usually a Celsius or an Alani. Freshman Katie Hummel said she has an energy drink basically every single day, and sometimes twice a day. Junior Aiden Kelly reports that in the summer he would have at least five a week and Cate Murphy said she drinks a Red Bull four to five times a week. Even going as far to say, “I used to drink two Red Bulls a day in 8th grade, and then I would have coffee on the weekends,” says Cate Murphy, “And I would get a really bad headache the days I didn’t have caffeine.”
And it’s not just students, Mr. Rob Connett, a teacher at Green Level, reports having an energy drink at least twice a week. And Officer Kellam at Green Level has one Celsius a day, and sometimes two if he works late. The list could go on and on, and the concern is clear, how is it that energy drinks have got everyone hooked?
One answer could be the marketing strategies brands use to keep customers coming back for more. With the release of new flavors and fun packaging, users, especially the youth, are always looking forward to the next release. Not to mention, the ingredients packed in these drinks are nothing short of addictive. Most energy drinks contain high levels of sugar, caffeine, and other ingredients. The most common drink students at Green Level drink is called Alani. In a 12 fluid ounce can of Alani, there is 200 mg of caffeine.
Athletic trainer at Green Level, Taryn Strickland, is a big enthusiast of the dangers of energy drinks based on the science behind them. She explains that this danger is commonly due to the fact that many energy drinks contain multiple stimulants, not just caffeine.
“When you combine multiple stimulants and you take them at the same time it can cause a heart arrhythmia that can lead to cardiac arrest in some cases but it also, in everybody, restricts blood vessel function.” Strickland explains.
“So, that means oxygen is not being transported throughout your body as efficiently because your blood vessels are constricted as a result of these combined stimulants. So that’s really detrimental for everybody but especially for people who are trying to perform athletic tasks they really need that oxygen to be circulated efficiently throughout their body.”
All in all, it seems to be the harmful ingredients, specifically stimulants, in energy drinks that cause health problems to drinkers. According to UC Davis Health there are some major ingredients to look out for. The first is caffeine, which is the most well known stimulant in energy drinks. Almost all those who drink these drinks are aware they contain caffeine, it is the ingredients consumers are unaware of that is the problem. Taurine is an ingredient that amplifies the stimulant’s effects and Guarana contains even more caffeine. And along with the high levels of sugar, these drinks are packed with ingredients that can be harmful, especially if not drunk in moderation.
Although, is moderation even a good idea when it comes to energy drinks? Is it even safe to consume these dangerous substances and ingredients at all? It’s certainly not the best choice. Athletic trainer, Mrs. Strickland, recognizes that caffeine’s reputation is a mixed interpretation. While it can be dangerous, many people explain the benefits in their everyday lives.
“There are some proven benefits of caffeine, like caffeine supplementation, so I do think that there is potential for some benefits. But again, the issue is these additional stimulants and caffeine being consumed at the same time.” Strickland adds, “And some energy drinks also contain a stimulant that is a banned substance, and a lot of athletes may not know that or recognize that.”
Energy drinks and their true ingredients are still a bit of a mystery. Is what is advertised on the cans actually a true reflection of what the can contains? This mysterious nature of the energy drink certainly leads to speculation that you won’t realize the real dangers of what you’re drinking until it is too late.
Strickland explains, “So the big issue with those is that none of those things are actually regulated by anything, so we don’t know what’s actually in them. They could say whatever they want on the label, nobody is making sure that what is on the label is what is in the product.”
So what can be done about this rampant spread of people relying on energy drinks? Whether it is to give them a boost of energy before an athletic performance or just to get them through the day, consumption of these powerful stimulants will prove detrimental to their health. Students walk into class with a Celsius in their hands. Others may rely on Red Bull as a midday pick me up. Even Green Level high school added Alani’s to the school vending machine in the athletics wing, All signs point to an inevitable necessity for energy drinks.
Despite this, there are certainly alternatives or advice, whether you are hooked on energy drinks or you are an occasional drinker when you need it.
Strickland’s piece of advice is: “If you are feeling like you need that energy boost and you are going to take an energy drink, make sure it is one that just has caffeine in it, or one single stimulant, not those combined stimulants.”
Take Strickland’s advice, understand the risks energy drinks can put on your body. Don’t put your health in jeopardy for a quick pick-me-up, find another way. In the least, make sure you know what is truly in the drink you have every day. Energy drinks may have temporary benefits, but continued consumption of them will have long lasting damaging effects. Do your part to put an end to the cycle, don’t let this widespread addiction reach you too.
