Our school principal recently sent out a letter to the parents warning that energy drinks will not be permitted on school campus. I was happy to see this because I believe they are dangerous and addicting. The principal said these drinks can be incredibly dangerous especially combined with certain foods or medications.
Right now there is not a lot research on energy drinks and the dangers. But what research has been done confirms what I already believe, that Energy Drinks are a bad idea, especially for children and teens.
A report done in Feb 2011 in the journal Pediatrics suggests that energy drinks can be particularly unsafe for children who have ADHD, heart conditions, and diabetes. In the article it sites pediatricians getting concerned because children were coming to the hospital because they were sick after drinking energy drinks. Part of the problem is parents didn't know the difference between energy drinks and sport drinks. These are completely different products. Sport drinks are for hydrating and energy drinks are for stimulating an artificial energy in your body.
Because drinks are categorized as dietary supplements, the FDA does not regulate the drinks at all. This is very concerning to me. Health Officials have been tracking health effects of energy drinks since 2002. They have seen adverse effects such as liver damage, racing heart rate, seizures, respiratory disease, and even death.
For me if you need energy why don't you try getting more sleep, exercise, eating healthier. Research shows short cuts to better health, weight loss just don't work so why would a quick 5 hour energy drink be good for you? I just don't "buy" it!
