They may seem harmless, but doctors have been warning people for some time that energy drinks can be dangerous. Now new evidence suggests that these popular beverages can affect the health of teens who mix them with other substances.
Energy drinks have become popular and powerful because they are designed to give people an extra boost. But, according to a new study, teenagers could be putting themselves at risk by downing these beverages, which are loaded with stimulants.
Researchers have found that the top-selling energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, as well as other ingredients that can produce an even stronger jolt. Drinking a lot of them can lead to harmful effects in young people, including heart issues, anxiety, digestive problems, insomnia and dehydration. Mix them with alcohol, which doctors say a lot of teenagers do, and the problems intensify.
The American Beverage Association, which represents the manufacturers of these drinks, has always stated that there is plenty of caffeine in a lot of drinks that are available to a younger age group, including coffee from coffee houses. But authors of the study strongly suggest that pediatricians let teens know of the dangers of these drinks, especially if they combine them with alcohol. They also are alerting parents to the problems so they can talk to their children about potential side effects.
Energy drinks have become popular and powerful because they are designed to give people an extra boost. But, according to a new study, teenagers could be putting themselves at risk by downing these beverages, which are loaded with stimulants.
Researchers have found that the top-selling energy drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, as well as other ingredients that can produce an even stronger jolt. Drinking a lot of them can lead to harmful effects in young people, including heart issues, anxiety, digestive problems, insomnia and dehydration. Mix them with alcohol, which doctors say a lot of teenagers do, and the problems intensify.
The American Beverage Association, which represents the manufacturers of these drinks, has always stated that there is plenty of caffeine in a lot of drinks that are available to a younger age group, including coffee from coffee houses. But authors of the study strongly suggest that pediatricians let teens know of the dangers of these drinks, especially if they combine them with alcohol. They also are alerting parents to the problems so they can talk to their children about potential side effects.
