Energy drinks are now very popular in younger generations because these drinks are highly promoted to enhance alertness, productivity and energy. Although these drinks keep students stimulated to be able to get through the day, these drinks are also very harmful in the long run if they are ingested too often.
Popular energy drinks such as Ghost, Redbull, Monster, Alani, C4 and Celcius contain substances such as sucrose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup and high amounts of caffeine. The beverages also contain legal stimulants such as guarana, taurine and L-carnitine. The high levels of sugars in these drinks cause side effects such as high blood sugar, crashes and can lead to heart disease. while caffeine and taurine quickens the heart rate, causes digestive problems and makes headaches more prevalent.
Although students drink energy drinks to increase alertness, energy and get through the day, these drinks also cause dehydration, anxiety, and insomnia. These long term effects lead to an increased risk of obesity and type two diabetes.
The CDC reports 1,477 adolescents go to the emergency room for energy drink related medical problems, and highly discourages the consumption of energy drinks.
Even though it has been proven the severity of effects that energy drinks inflict, most schools and districts do not have proper regulations on selling energy drinks in their vending machines, therefore students have easier access.
On a South High survey about energy drinks, 90.3% out of 62 responses have had an energy drink before and drink them regularly, with 77.4% of students drinking one to two weekly.
“They help me stay awake through my classes, and they make me happy,” says Kayetlynn Blair.
“I drink energy drinks to stay awake from my busy schedule of school, cheer, and work.” says Kayelani Pheuisomphou.
Students at South High say that their reason for drinking energy drinks is because they suffer from tiredness and that energy drinks drive them a boost of energy, with the addition that energy drinks are also tasty.
Drinking energy drinks now and then can be helpful for a student, the drinks improves exhaustion and school work performance. Although the consumption of these drinks should be regulated to preserve student’s health and overall well-being
