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Energy Drinks
Over 5 billion energy drinks were sold last year in the United States alone. With the recent skyrocket in energy drink sales their safety has been called into question. These drinks contain very high amounts of the drug caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant along with large amounts of sugars. Caffeine and sugar may briefly increase energy but because of the large doses they can also cause weight gain, insomnia, heart palpitations, dehydration, anxiety, jitters, nausea, headaches, increased heart rate and blood pressure. Although some of these drinks are clearly labeled unsuitable for children others promise children and teens enhanced study and athletic abilities. Few studies have been done on the effects on children; however, since children are smaller than adults and have not built up a tolerance to caffeine they are more susceptible to the negative effects which are sometimes mistaken as anxiety attacks.
For more information on energy drinks and the effects on children and teens visit:
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