By Mackenzie Edwards, Online Editor-in-Chief
Sparkling Watermelon, Raspberry Açaí, Wildberry, Grape Rush, Strawberry Lemonade, Mango Passionfruit, Coconut Berry, Peach Nectarine and Dragon Fruit. These are energy drink flavors from various companies including but not limited to Celcius, Bang, Monster and Red Bull.
These flavors sound fruity and healthy for you; however, you could not be more wrong.
Over recent years, energy drinks have become more and more popular. They are most commonly known for giving a “boost” of energy as the drink is consumed but they can have more effects than just an energy burst.
A study conducted in 2017 linked the consumption of energy drinks to various adverse health effects including cardiovascular defects, decreased mental health, metabolic or dental conditions and even renal failure.
Energy drinks are made with several artificial stimulants such as ginseng, guarana, L-carnitine, taurine, caffeine and added sugars. Consumption of these ingredients in a short period of time is not good for your long-term energy balance. In fact, Celcius has been banned by the NCAA and the Olympic Committee for containing some of these artificial stimulants.
Now don’t get me wrong, an energy drink here or there is not extremely bad for you. However, drinking one or more every day can be excessive.
Just this past year, a 21 year old died of heart failure due to cardiovascular toxicity from a high consumption of energy drinks. He spent 58 days in the intensive care unit before he passed away. During this time, his kidneys also failed and he was placed on the organ donor list but never received the organs.
Energy drinks contain addictive stimulants such as caffeine to create this energy boost. Just like any other addiction, caffeine addiction can make you crave more and more of it.
When you drink an excess amount of caffeine every day, you become dependent on it, making your addiction stronger. Upon trying to quit, you can go through withdrawal symptoms including headaches, fatigue, a decrease in cognitive function and concentration, irritability and drowsiness.
Energy drink companies are not helping the caffeine addiction and energy drink consumption. They target ads toward a younger audience by advertising young people interacting in activities such as sports, gaming and making it through a long school day.
Companies use more online advertising to increase their product among the younger generations, which encourages more and more people to try them like it’s the newest trend.
People should be more aware of the negative effects of energy drink consumption as well as the known effects. If more people were aware of the possible outcomes, maybe fewer people would have less of a caffeine addiction or wouldn’t have to go through extreme health effects.
Energy drinks don’t have to be a bad thing if you manage your consumption and take care of yourself.
Senior Mackenzie Edwards can be reached at 23edwardsma78@daretolearn.org.
