Many teens, myself included, have gotten really used to drinking energy drinks fairly often. But should teens be able to drink them freely? Many people have concerns. The 4 major side effects of energy drinks are anxiety, dehydration, insomnia, and heart complications. Heart complications include irregular heartbeat or even heart failure.
In 2011, 1499 teens were rushed to the ER because of an energy drink related emergency. More than 10 percent of these ER visits resulted in those teens being hospitalized. Many energy drink brands target their ads towards kids aged 13-18. As a result, these teens are influenced to drink these. Many schools even have energy drinks in vending machines, giving teens an even easier access to energy drinks. Parents are also uneducated on how risky it is having young children drink these drinks, especially the ones that have sugar in them.
So how do energy drink companies defend themselves? Many companies say that a large coffee from Dunkin Donuts has more sugar and caffeine than their drinks. The difference is that energy drinks use artificial sources for caffeine, which have been proven to be more dangerous than natural caffeine sources. Many health research centers have concluded that children should consume no caffeine at all.
In my opinion, I think that the age limit for energy drinks should be 16. At that age, many teens are full grown or close to it. The major concern of teens drinking energy drinks is because they are smaller than adults, but many teens, girls especially, are full grown by 16. Also, energy drinks can help teens focus better in school, so they should be able to consume them in moderation.
Questions:
Do you drink energy drinks? If so, how often?
Do you think there should be an age limit for energy drinks?
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/energy.htm
https://www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2020/atp-energy-drinks
Replies
I agree, energy drinks can help give you an extra boost during a workout, but they can also be very bad for you if you drink too many.
I don't drink energy drinks, but I understand why others do. If you're someone who falls asleep around midnight usually ( a lot of teens do), you are not getting enough sleep and might need something to keep you awake. I think that a 16+ age limit is reasonable, but probably won't help much. 16 year olds and up are just going to buy energy drinks for younger teens/kids.
I agree that if there was an age limit on them, the younger kids would have their siblings/friends buy them for them.
I have had several energy drinks but never a whole one to myself with one exception. I do not mind energy drinks but I think that they can be like an adiction and I personaly have never been allowed to drink them so I never do. But when I have normal coffee, especially on an empty stomach, I get sick feeling but with energy drinks I feel less sick but still feel the effects of them. I think it should be up to the parents wheather or not kids can have them.
I agree that parents should discuss energy drinks with their children, and it can be up to the parents what they want their kids to consume.
I drink energy drinks only like once every 2 weeks or so give or take a few. I feel like kids that are 10 11 and 12 shouldn't be able to have energy drinks. I just feel like they could cause different conditions in the future
yes, young kids drinking energy drinks often can cause lasting heart problems that are irreversible.
I don't drink energy drinks, but I do know that people drink them in order to help them get through the day without falling asleep. I don't think there should be an age limit because it should be the individuals decision if they want the health risk.
Personally, I think that the age limit should be 16. I don't drink energy drinks because I know how bad they are for the body. I will occasionally have a cappaccino in the morning but energy drinks don't make me feel good.
I don't drink energy drinks very often, but they do help to give you energy for the day. I don't think there should be an age limit because I think theyre fine in moderation, but I think teens should be careful about how many energy drinks they consume.
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