Energy Drinks and Teenagers: A Very Dangerous Mix
Posted: Wednesday, July 08, 2009
by Cynthia McMurray
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If your teenager is drinking energy drinks, be warned they may be getting far more than they bargained for. While manufacturers insist they don't market these powerhouse beverages to our youth, statistics show otherwise. Promising things like weight loss, increased stamina and endurance, young males especially are being targeted in this newest craze. Amazingly, 500 new energy drinks were launched worldwide in 2006 creating a whopping 5.7 billion-dollar industry for manufacturers who include such giants as Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, Full Throttle and now even Cocaine, a massive 280 milligram jolt of caffeine producers say is "350 percent stronger than Red Bull". While the drink is currently unavailable in Canada, if manufactures have their way, young people across the country will soon be sipping this controversial "Legal Alternative" to the real stuff. According to Simmons, the US-based consumer research group, 31percent of all US teens currently drink these caffeine-induced drinks. And in Canada, statistics show energy drink consumption per capita reached 1.1 litres in 2006 and is only expected to grow as the current 200 North American manufacturers (touting their 300 plus brands) play on the "all natural" components of these drinks, allegedly making them a better alternative to soda. And while some of these drinks do in fact contain "natural" ingredients (caffeine is indeed natural), these drinks according to a University of Florida study, which are usually sold in cans 40 percent smaller than your average can of Coke for example, actually contain four times the amount of caffeine as that same can of Coke. And I think (or at least hope) I can safely say I don't know any parent that would knowingly allow their child to down four cans of Coke in succession. Even more disturbing though is that with a typical cash-grab mentality, some manufactures are upping the ante by producing bigger and even stronger servings, some as large as 24 ounces!
The Energy Drink Bad Boy Line Up
Apart from caffeine, which is shown in countless studies to be toxic to children when consumed in adult servings, there are numerous other natural ingredients in these hyped-up cocktails. While many of these are proven safe and effective for specific health issues, the problem is these drinks often contain amounts that are well above recommended doses. They are also mixed with other ingredients that cause similar reactions in the body and/or they contain similar chemicals, so in essence, when you drink one of these drinks, you can effectively overdose. Some good examples are:
Guarana seed: Guarana is a known stimulant that contains about twice the caffeine as coffee beans. While there are regulations limiting caffeine, there are currently none on guarana.
Ginseng: Used for centuries for it amazing health benefits, which include such things as immune and cardiac support, ginseng is still a stimulant so, when combined with other stimulants, the accumulative effect (especially in children) can be intense and often dangerous.
B-vitamins: B vitamins help the body to convert sugar to energy and improve muscle tone. Vitamin B-12 is often used to increase energy, which is why people often receive B-12 shots when stressed. When lumped into a potent concoction with other stimulants however, the end result can be overstimulation.
Taurine: Taurine is an amino acid naturally produced by the body. It helps regulate water levels, mineral salts within the blood and helps control heart beat and muscle contractions. We typically get enough taurine from our diet (meat, fish, shellfish, beans, peanuts and mushrooms). Taurine is found in high concentrations in the brain where it is known to influence the central nervous system. It can also affect the excretion of hormones, pain sensation and the body's natural ability to regulate heat. Energy drinks usually contain high concentrations of taurine (1000mg). While there are no long-term human tests on the effects of large doses of taurine, animal studies suggest excessive taurine can cause anxiety, irritability, a high sensitivity to noise and even self-mutilations. As a result, countries like Norway, Denmark and France have banned energy drinks like Red Bull.
Glucuronolactone: is a naturally occurring chemical produced by the metabolism of glucose in the liver . It can also be found in many plants. Glucuronolactone is a stimulant thought to fight fatigue and provide a sense of well-being. Studies show the maximum non-adverse daily dose of glucuronolactone is 1,000 mg/kg of body weight however, the intake of glucuronelactone from energy drinks however typically varies between 2000 mg/l and 2400 mg/l.
Sugar: Most energy drinks contain sugar simply because it is the fastest way to get a quick energy boost. This influx of sugar into the bloodstream triggers the release of insulin, which the body uses to keep blood-sugar at a safe level. Excessive sugar consumption therefore, is not surprisingly linked to diabetes. There are literally hundreds of other diseases associated with sugar, which some researchers claim to be as addicting as heroine. Many energy drinks contain up to a quarter cup of sugar/ 8 ounce can. Those that are "sugar-free" typically contain artificial sweeteners, which are just as dangerous for other reasons. Very few energy drinks use safe sweeteners like agave or stevia because they are less cost effective.
Other common ingredients are carnitine, a n amino acid that plays a role in fatty acid metabolism, creatine, an organic acid that helps supply energy for muscle contractions and ginkgo biloba, thought to enhance memory. Again, while all of these on their own have shown great healing potential for specific health issues, there have been no studies on long term consumption, especially on developing bodies. These drinks are as potent as drugs in many cases, and in my opinion, the "just say no" policy should apply.
Cynthia McMurray is a professional natural health writer. She has written numerous books for leading health professionals and was the founder and publisher of a national natural health magazine. She is currently writing in-depth health manuals for a large international health and wellness company. She is also the founder and publisher of Bryler Publications (www.brylerpublications.com).
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