Waking up before the sun has fully risen, rushing to get dressed, attending six hours of school and two hours of practice, and returning home to do three hours of homework is what an average high school student does in a twenty-four hour day. With this constant hustle and bustle it seems silly to turn down a blue raspberry flavored source of energy, but this boost-up does not come without its disastrous downfalls. Although many students claim that the jolt of energy they receive from energy drinks is beneficial to their hectic lives, these short energy highs are not worth the effects these beverages have on their health and productivity.

The cause of the much desired increase in energy is the drink’s overwhelming use of caffeine that serves as a nervous system stimulator and creates an artificial alertness in the consumer’s brain. A sixteen ounce energy drink contains between seventy and two-hundred-forty milligrams of caffeine, while a twelve ounce can of cola holds only thirty-five milligrams of caffeine. Anything, when pertaining to the human body, is only beneficial in moderation. The aggressive amounts of caffeine and sugar contained in a single energy drink is bound to cause health complications, especially in the developing body of a teenager. Concerns have risen regarding the negative effects these energy drinks have on a maturing nervous system. The nervous system serves as the hard wiring that connects the different parts of the human body together and allows it to function properly. Without a properly functioning nervous system one would not be able to drive, chew, swallow, or even hold a pencil. Putting such a vital piece of the human body at risk for a brief increase in energy is both unreasonable and unhealthy. The abundance of sugar that these energy drinks contain proposes another health problem in the form of obesity. Obesity not only lowers a teenager’s self esteem but it also puts them at risk for diabetes and fatal heart complications.

Energy drinks put the health of consumers in danger along with their aspirations. The caffeine found in a single cup of coffee, which is only a small fraction of the amount of caffeine in a sixteen ounce energy drink, can hinder the drinker’s ability to sleep even eight hours after their consumption of the beverage. When a student attempts to use energy drinks to fuel a late night studying session, their studying may be for nothing. Drowsiness will take its toll the next day by slowing down the mind of the student causing them to score poorly on the test they spent the night preparing for. This hurts their GPA and their chances of getting into credible colleges that open doors for the future. Tiredness can also slow down the physical speed of the student. This lack of sharp thinking paired with a lack of speed hurts the student’s chances of reaching their full athletic and academic potentials.

The negative effects of energy drinks greatly outweigh the positives. A short boost of energy is no match for obesity, nervous system failure, and a lack of sleep. Students must avoid energy drinks and rely instead on a healthy diet and proper sleeping habits to fuel their busy days in order for them to live their healthiest and most productive lives.