Caffeine in Energy Drinks: Understanding the Negative Impact

It is without a doubt that high doses of energy drinks that have high amounts of caffeine in them, affects lives everyday. There are many different effects that are produced from these different energy substances that can cause serious illness and even death. Nevertheless, there are many Americans that lack the knowledge of what caffeine contains and its side affects especially teenagers that consume energy drinks on a daily basis to accomplish a certain task. Energy drinks such as monster, red bull and rock star have high doses of caffeine in them. In small doses caffeine is usually not harmful, and actually acts as a useful stimulant. However, in larger doses caffeine can be very harmful to your body and to your mind. Nearly eighty percent of Americans are dependent on caffeine, but very few of those people know what it’s doing to them. Caffeine has damaging effects in the long term that people are not aware of, also depending on the persons tolerance, one person can be affected with caffeine while the person may not be. However, manufactures that produce these energy drinks need to be aware and more specific on their labels regarding ingredients in these different energy drinks to reduce the health risk amongst teenagers.

I couldn’t agree more with Hsu statement regarding caffeine and its effect on teenagers these days. She’s state that teenagers are prone to having more energy drinks than adults due to time constrains. Adults are able to manage their time more effectively, where as teenagers and college students tend to do their homework and project assignments at the last minute, therefore in order to stay up late they consume energy drinks. (Hsu, Pg. 381). The consistency of caffeine use has been shown to cause many health effects such as insomnia, cardiac arrest and even death. Although small amounts of caffeine can sharpen mental focus, studies have shown that too much of this drug can actually cause the opposite effect, making you jittery and scattered.

In today’s competitive high-tech world, many kids are often manipulated and are susceptible to drinking energy drinks without even looking at the warnings and content on the labels (Hsu, Pg 380). I can relate myself to this because I have been a culprit in regards to energy drinks. I can remember when I was drinking three to four monster energy drinks per day for work and school. At first the energy was amazing because I was able to accomplish a lot in a short period of time. But as I became consistent with it, I notice a lot of side effects such as insomnia, headaches, and digestive problems that forced me to see a doctor. After being examined by a doctor, it was said that I had been in risk for hypertension and diabetes. I forced myself to quite energy drinks, followed by a strict and healthy diet along with exercising.

Energy drinks, without a doubt in particular, are a risk for teens. With colorful packaging and catchy names like Rock Star, Wired and Fix, caffeinated energy drinks are marketed to teens and young adults Hsu, 382). These drinks are not hard to find, anybody can easily purchase these items at a supermarket, gas station and other outlets and the majority of these people are teens who are only enthusiastic about the results, and less likely are any of them are interested in the amounts of caffeine being added. “Although, companies are enjoying the profits, the people at risk are teenagers that are susceptible to caffeine intoxication or drink till exhaustion and the outcome often leads to serious health problems” (Hsu Pg 382). Although these different energy drinks may have appealing and attractive brands, they are harmful substances and should not be taken.