Energy Drinks- A Silent Killer

By Alex Blythe-

More and more teenagers around the globe are exploring energy drinks and using them as pick-me-ups in the wee hours of the morning.

Energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, AMP, Rockstar, Jolt and Nos are some of the most popular energy drinks but medical experts have concerns about their health values and whether they are dangerous to the young people who consume them.

Different brands of energy drinks. Photo courtesy of hometestingblog.testcountry.com

According to Dr. Steven E. Lipshultz the chairman of pediatrics at the University of Miami, on healthnews.com, the high-caffeinated drinks pose more of a danger to people with heart abnormalities, ADHD and other health or emotional problems than people with good health.

“No, I feel like they’re not healthy,” stated Penn Manor senior Taylor Breidenbaugh.

An 8-ounce energy drink could contain hundreds of milligrams of caffeine, as opposed to a regular cup of coffee containing 100 milligrams.

With the high amounts of caffeine and sugar, the drinks could negatively affect children with diabetes and seizures.

Children are at a higher risk of heart palpitations and other problems than adults because their bodies aren’t fully developed.

The FDA has a limit on the amount of caffeine per serving, but most companies get around that limit but labeling their product “natural”.

Cody Goldberg, a senior at Penn Manor doesn’t like to drink energy drinks, “they make me sick and there’s too many side affects.”

Senior Patrick Jones doesn’t drink them that much but if he does, his drink of choice: Monster.

“I want the sugar more then anything.”