Author: Richard

I never bought into the idea that chemicals and caffeine in a can was “energy”, but I’m not religiously opposed to the consumption of the beverages claiming to pump you up, either. Do whatever. It’s just another brand of soda to me. Just beware of the effects…

But the caffeinated energy drinks don’t appear to provide the purported benefits and can cause problems, including serious medical complications, says a review of the scientific literature published online today in Pediatrics.

The paper is already drawing criticism from the beverage industry, which says energy drinks have no more caffeine than a cup of coffee and aren’t widely used by kids and teens.

Steven Lipshultz, chair of pediatrics at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and colleagues reviewed 121 scientific studies, government reports and media sources on energy drinks — different from sports drinks, vitamin waters and sodas.

Energy drinks usually contain 70 to 80 milligrams of caffeine per 8-oz. serving, more than double many cola drinks. Energy drinks also may contain guarana, a plant that contains caffeine, taurine (an amino acid), vitamins, herbal supplements and sweeteners.

Surveys show that 30% to 50% of teens and young adults consume energy drinks, but “we didn’t see evidence that drinks have beneficial effects in improving energy, weight loss, stamina, athletic performance and concentration,” Lipshultz says.

And the research shows that children and teens — especially those with cardiovascular, renal or liver disease, seizures, diabetes, mood and behavior disorders and hyperthyroidism — are at a higher risk for health complications from these drinks, says Lipshultz, a pediatric cardiologist.

There are also claims that energy drinks send thousands to the hospital each year:

There’s been a big spike in the number of people who need emergency medical attention after they guzzle popular caffeinated energy drinks, according to a new government report.

The report shows a more than a tenfold increase in the number of emergency room visits tied to the use of these drinks between 2005 and 2009.

In 2005, 1,128 ER visits were associated with the use of energy drinks compared to 13,114 in 2009. That number peaked in 2008 with more than 16,000 ER visits linked to energy drinks.

Read the full article above for what seems to me to be an effective rebuttal from the drink makers. Still though, they’re not generally advised by health professionals and young people specifically  are recommended to not partake:

The National Federation of State High School Associations says caffeinated energy drinks can raise the risk of dehydration, heat illness, and irregular heartbeat in young athletes. The recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics says that caffeinated energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents.

Some energy drink labels warn that children and pregnant women should not drink them. There are numerous energy drinks on the market, containing caffeine, carbohydrates, sodium, sugars, and supplements.

In the case of pre-teen and teenage athletes using energy drinks while playing competitive sports, the caffeine can increase the heart beat, which is already beating rapidly because of intense athletic activity.

“For a lot of these there’s a large amount of caffeine in them. Folks know that a couple of cups of coffee can make you feel jittery, sometimes make your heart race. Well, if you’re adding even larger amounts of that and going into competition, having your heart race, skipping beats, setting up for problems one cant’ tell what may happen as far as with your cardiac status, particularly with the extra stresses they might be going through with competition,” said Children’s Hospital emergency room physician Dr. Dee Hodge.

Dr. Hodge points out that since energy drinks are considered nutritional supplements they aren’t tested or regulated by the Food and Drug administration for purity of content or potential interactions with medication.

The real way to get energy is through proper nutrition combined with that night time thing we do in our beds (no. the OTHER thing).