In this day and age, every individual needs energy and ample amounts of it. In a world that is flustered and consistently filled with the need to have a substantially busy calendar, the means of normal sleep sometimes just do not seem to cut it. Hence where energy drinks take their role. A lovely mix of sweet tasting sugar wrapped in a bed of caffeine that will give the individual just enough thrust to make it through the hectic day and even keep a smile while doing it. It is no question that the craving of caffeine is something that rarely is unnoticed especially in the lives of adolescents and college age students. If a day is not begun with a cup of coffee or a quick can of rebel something is just off. "Nutrition Reviews" academic journal looked into this and compiled an article discussing the effects of energy drinks specifically on those in the adolescent age range. The results they found make one reconsider the choice to grab another can as a quick boost.

Researchers' Findings

Those in charge of this research first began by looking into the marketing aspect of energy drinks. They went in chronological order of how the budget put into advertising energy drinks has skyrocketed in the past with the main audience being those age 12 to 22. Companies target entertainment hard, with ads consistently popping up on popular media sites like Youtube or on TV networks youth watch, such as MTV or Adult Swim. Even to children, they are able to appear with the average child ages 2-11 reporting they had seen at least 66 ads for energy drinks just watching their favorite Saturday cartoon network. The effects, however, worked with research showing that teens were more than 58% more likely than an adult to visit sites like redbull.com and even go as far as placing orders directly. The amp continues because it works; this has to lead one to wonder what effects such popular drinks have on those consuming them. Physicians who have looked into this described caffeine by saying such “may be the only psychoactive drug legally available over-the-counter to children." School children have reported having withdrawal effects to caffeine in the form of headaches, drowsiness, and irritability. Going further, these drinks are also reported for “problematic physiological effects for children and young adults, including cardiovascular and abdominal effects, seizures, and agitation." While the health concerns are large, nutritionists also pointed out that the risks come with no nutritional value. The amount of good nutrients in an energy drink is almost nothing, meaning that all one is consuming when they drink them is empty calories and potentially harmful chemicals with no real promise of a benefit.

When looking at results and statistical research like this, one can become alarmed -- I can be guilty of consuming these energy drinks for a little extra boost throughout the day. Not that it is consistent and all the time, but concerns like these are ones that need to be considered closely as what one does to their body now can carry on for years and years later. Not that energy drinks or caffeine are the enemy, but the amount of consumption and the adverse effects need to be greatly considered. What will you do?