Unhealthy Buzz

The use and popularity of "energy drinks" is evident most everywhere we spend time. Gym rats use them to prolong peak performance, workmates for sustainment during early Monday meetings, and others (me) steer clear. Why you ask? And this has no real scientific study backing me, but anything that can alter the state of your body and senses so rapidly can't be, in my mind, all that healthy for you. But are they that harmful or or am I and others being a bit too cautious?
    I just want to reference a few points I have found helpful if any are interested in some ins and outs of energy drinks, what they contain, documented side effects, and where recent studie's are taking the energy drink debate. Here's an excerpt from a recent New York Times article, "In March, The Journal of American College Health published a report on the link between energy drinks, athletics and risky behavior. The study’s author, Kathleen Miller, an addiction researcher at the University of Buffalo, says it suggests that high consumption of energy drinks is associated with “toxic jock” behavior, a constellation of risky and aggressive behaviors including unprotected sex, substance abuse and violence."

    It's fairly clear that energy drink are marketed towards young adults an kids with names like, Monster, Rock Star, and Amp. So it should at the very least concern us if consumption can cause high risk behavior, increase risk in blood pressure or other harm associated with caffeine and high amounts of sugar intake. Energy Fiend is a site that provides an energy drink directory and its associated caffeine amount along with other helpful tools.
    Across the country there have been reports of abnormal heart rhythms and nausea in schoolchildren after using such drinks. In one recent case an teachers at an Oregon middle school  sent an email to parents advising of the effects of energy drinks on their children at school, stating, "The result is that some students are on a caffeine buzz, or falling off a caffeine crash..."
    Do we call on moderation as a starting solution to help mitigate some trends we are seeing, steer clear, advocate for it? There are studies out there suggesting energy drinks lower your chance of diabetes. I suggest be informed, and anything that alters your being rapidly, for a short time and then brings you down has yet to prove itself as a healthy replacement for a great diet, rest, exercise and limiting the amounts of toxins you take in; including caffeine.

Some content ideas were used from the following sources:
http://blogs.villagevoice.com
http://www.chronline.com
http://www.nytimes.com
 

Comments

[Leda]

Energy drink would be harmful if we over used it but drink it with moderation will make it as the best energy drink.