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The Buzz Surrounding Energy Drinks

By Patrick Trouve- Staff Writer

With the popularity of energy drinks steadily growing, great concern has been expressed regarding the implications that these drinks may have on consumers' health.

The advent of the energy drink, beginning with the launching of Red Bull in 1997, has paved the way for hundreds of other fatigue fighting beverages aimed to stimulate the consumer to perform in times of stress, tiredness, or athletic strain. Although these drinks may offer a rush of oomph with their hefty dose of caffeine and sugar, the astronomical amount of these ingredients and other harmful chemicals may create severe health problems.

Alongside Red Bull, there are countless other companies hopping on the energy band wagon as the market for these supplements has expanded. Brands such as Monster, Rock Star, and Coco-Cola's Full Throttle are readily available on the shelves of most grocery stores and convenience stores alike. For a few bucks, one can purchase a can of these sugary, high calorie, carbonated drinks and get a rush of energy to get them through the consequences of the night before, a lack of sleep, or a parched throat. Although the drink may accomplish these goals, little attention is paid by the consumer to the health problems that may result due to over consumption of these drinks.

Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic dietician, has done studies on the effects of energy drinks on the human body and has found some less than appetizing results. Recognizing that these energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar, Zeratsky advises that, "consuming large amounts of sugar is likely to cause weight gain."

"Too much caffeine can cause adverse side effects, such as nervousness, irritability, increased blood pressure, and insomnia," warns Zeratsky of the gratuitous amount of caffeine that these beverages typically contain. Fellow Mayo Clinic advisor and cardiologist Dr. Martha Grogan agrees, "[caffeine] may trigger abnormal heart rhythms, which can be life threatening."

Both medical experts, Zeratsky and Grogan, advise against the consumption of energy drinks and recommend resorting to a healthier, less dangerous mode to become energized.

 "Get adequate sleep, exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet," says Zeratsky in opposition to an energy drink induced buzz.

Energy drinks, although they serve the purpose of increasing the alertness and cognition of their consumers, clearly have risks associated. Although further research on the long term effects of these drinks are forthcoming, the market for these satisfying remedies is growing steadily, and the commonly known hazards concerning them is doing little to prevent the purchase and consumption of these fatigue elixirs.