Dangers of Energy Drinks for Teens 

 Do you ever rush in the mornings to get ready for school? Needing just a bit of energy to get you awake, teenagers consume caffeinated drinks to get through the day. Whether these are coffee or energy drinks from ages 18-34 are the targeted demographic for energy drink companies. They are marketed to quickly increase the alertness and attention of the consumer. Are also known for containing high quantities of caffeine, simple carbohydrates, and additional added ingredients. The carbohydrate sources mostly include glucose and sucrose that supply substrates needed for physiological energy, while high caffeine supplies high energy through enhancing feelings of alertness through fatigued stages. Since glucose is already producing energy in your body, when consuming energy drinks it adds more energy on top of what you already have. So, the more energy you consume the more it takes for your heart to accommodate this new energy which can therefore over work your heart leading into the dangers of heart attacks.  

The recommended amount of caffeine for teens per day from ages 12-18 is less than 100mg according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each energy drink can contain up to 100mg- 200mg of caffeine per serving. Energy drinks are also combined with sugar that is known for creating a "jolt" of energy. Dr. Garcia from UCLA Health explains that the high can include side effects such as increase heart rate, blood pressure, jitters, and insomnia, quickly followed by a crash. "It is hard to break the cycle, which may lead to withdrawal symptoms like a headache or depressed mood," says Dr. Garcia. This all depends on the frequency of how many times in a day or week energy drinks are being consumed, and if teens are already facing through mental illnesses these affects heightened them even more. ■