The pop of a can opening has taken on a new, more concerning sound in recent years: the fizz of energy drinks. Many teenagers and young adults rely on energy more and more every day. A quick fix for late night study sessions, long nights of gaming, social gatherings and even used as pre-workout before practices has been concerning the health professionals.
The sugary, caffeine beverages pose significant risks to developing bodies.
“A cup of coffee has between 80-100 mg of caffeine per eight ounces, and if we look at the energy drink having anywhere from 200-400 mg and plus the additives,” said Keith Wear, assistant athletic director for student-athlete health services and nutrition professor at NWOSU. “We see it more and more on sidelines throughout athletic competitions, we see them through college campuses just people walking between class having energy drinks.”
Caffeine is pretty well studied in terms of what it does, so it’s going to increase our heart rate, increase our response for a short period of time.
Wear said it takes about six to eight hours to metabolize the caffeine in an adults’ body, while younger bodies metabolize everything quicker.
Energy drinks have a big impact on sleep. The recommendation is anywhere from seven to nine hours especially for growing teenagers.
“Taking an energy drink in the evening can play a big role and interrupt our circadian rhythms,” Wear said.
The temporary energy boost comes with lots of potential health problems. The high sugar adds to tooth decay, weight gain and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
A couple of students on NWOSU campus shared their knowledge and experience of energy drinks.
A freshman from Turpin, majoring in political science, Brenda Lezama said she usually drinks a couple of energy drinks a week, sometimes she will have more than one a day, one for fun and one before she goes to work out.
“I drink one to get more energy,” Lezama said, “I think that’s all fake, but in my mind it’s like oh its an energy drink so like it has to make me feel better and it tastes good.”
She said she used to drink two to three cans in high school daily, but then she had some heart problems this past year, so her energy drink consumption has drastically decreased. But it hasn’t stopped her consuming them now.
Another student, a sophomore
from Buffalo, majoring in nursing, Ciarah Ceniceros said that she only drinks them one to two times a week. “Usually, I drink one at like seven in the morning before I go to work or class if I’m really dragging,” Ceniceros said.
She said she likes to think that energy drinks wake her up but also doesn’t think it’s true.
Ceniceros also shared that she used to consume way more energy drinks when she was in high school.
“I think they are okay in moderation, but I think most high schoolers drink them to be cool so they’re not moderating them,” Ceniceros said. Energy drink companies are using more vibrant packaging and targeting young audiences.
Celebrity endorsements and other sport related advertisements show that the energy drinks is what you need to succeed and that’s how they get the younger adults attention.
One of the students said she only drinks the energy drinks if she goes on long trips where she needs to drive. It could be early morning or late at night.
A senior from Vici, majoring in Psychology, Harlie Atland said she doesn’t like them and her mom growing up told her to not drink them or her heart will blow up. Ever since then she has been very careful with her energy drink intake.
She also said that the drinks don’t affect her, she will drink one and then 30 minutes to an hour later she will be even more tired.
Atland said she tries to avoid them as much as she can because her family has a history of heart problems and doesn’t want to risk anything.
“I don’t think its very healthy because my mom is also a nurse too and she says that’s how you mess up your heart,” Atland said.
Caffeine also plays a big role on anxiety and mental health. Wear said people are utilizing energy drinks because of certain things like if they’re anxious for a test and they are staying up late studying.
Some people drink them for social gatherings, like hanging out with their friends.
“As parents educating your children on risks associated with that, educating them on other ways to maybe get not necessarily more energy, but be able to utilize that energy more effectively, getting up, going for a walk, doing some activity, eating breakfast has been one of the biggest things,” Wear said, “We see kids feel tired because they don’t eat anything in the morning, that’s when your body wants and needs that energy.”
Wear said we don’t need energy to sleep. Sleep will come and if you’re tired you will fall asleep. Just having energy drinks and not eating anything may make you feel energized for a little while, but it is not for a long term, and it is not steady, he said.
“I think caffeine is something that we’re gonna see continuing to be an issue with those sorts of things, but in long term we don’t know 100% what affects for extended use and extended use at levels that much higher than like coffee,” Wear said.
The alternative to energy drinks is making sure to take care of yourself.
Simply drinking enough water can significantly improve energy levels. Eating healthier and more fruits and vegetables can also boost those levels.
“The more active you are at the beginning of the day, so as long as you getting good, restful sleeps, not staying up too late, the energy drinks are not necessarily,” Wear said. “Activity really is what increases that and increases those thresholds.”