Energy Drinks: Death In A Bottle?

Photo by Caleigh Warren

Energy drinks have to be good for you, right? It’s not like Alanis and Celsius could’ve engineered a drink that packed as much sugar and caffeine into the prettiest package possible. No one would buy it, surely, if it was proven to be harmful. Well did you know that Katie Donnol (28), and Zach Doran (17), both had deaths related to consuming energy drinks? One, a workout enthusiast and another, a martial art athlete, both had very athletic bodies and strong immune systems that shut down after drinking one energy drink too many. Could that happen to you? What are the consequences for the momentary pleasure of a sweet, bubbly, caffeine-packed drink? That’s what scientists are trying to find out.

Over the last decade, energy drinks have flooded through the student body. What makes energy drinks so dangerous is the amount of caffeine packed in the 12oz bottle. Caffeine is a highly addictive substance that works like alcohol or some drugs. Caffeine can cause withdraws and cravings, much like the symptoms of alcohol. How exactly can medication and an innocent drink have the same effect? The answer is caffeine. According to a recent study, the main property of most fatigue medication is caffeine. Stay-Awake-Pills are a popular over-the-counter medication used as a pick me up for workers, parents, and anyone who needs to fight fatigue. The pills include 200 mg of caffeine which is, ironically, the same amount found in a standard bottle of Alanis. Drinking an energy drink is roughly the same as taking an actual drug to stay awake. Studies show that about ¼ of energy drink customers have more than one a day, which adds to almost two pills a day. 

Energy drinks have made it easier for the underage population of caffeine drinkers to find their source of caffeine. An energy drink lover and fellow sophomore, Morgan Buckler, speaks on this topic. “I feel that I can find caffeine from many places, but I gear towards energy drinks,” she says. “I really like the taste of Alanis and Celsius.“ Popular energy drink brands like Alanis and Celsius market their customers to high school and college students. For students who like caffeinated drinks, Alanis and Celsius are better to have in school than other sources, like coffee. Buckler agrees with this, “Normally in school, I prefer an energy drink because coffee has a really strong taste.” She says. When she drinks coffee she feels as if, “I have to brush my teeth.” Coffee is also generally a hot drink that is normally drunk in one sitting, and Alanis are cold, which allows them to be consumed at the drinker’s own pace. Alanis took the best traits from other caffeine packed substances, like tea, sodas, and cappuccino, and combined it into a bubbly drink that many caffeine lovers have shifted to. 

Energy drinks are also popular with athletes. High school coaches and the school board have tried to shut this down. In fact, a rule was implemented in Virginia in 2010 that says high school athletes are not permitted to consume energy drinks before sports. This is because of health concerns and other stimulants found in them. However, it is still extremely popular. Varsity volleyball player and sophomore, Piper Rossi. states that, “I drink energy drinks in the morning or before practice to give myself a bit of an energy boost.” Studies have proven that drinking caffeine before sports can cause dehydration and jitters. Rossi says, “Sometimes I get shaky, or when I haven’t eaten enough, I get nauseous.” While these side effects are common, they can be extremely harmful during sports. Jitters and dehydration can drastically affect your gameplay and safety during sports, not just volleyball. Caffeine also gives consumers the tendency to “crash”. Much like sugar, caffeine gives you an energy boost. Like when sugar crashes, energy drink crashes cause a decline in alertness, concentration, and muscle weakness quite suddenly. This is extremely dangerous to athletes, especially in a game. Sports are so tough on the human body, mentally and physically, it is a major health risk to induce stimulants into one’s system when athletes are required to be at the top of their game. 

Many caffeine lovers think that drinking energy drinks, or caffeine in general, in moderation isn’t harmful. That’s subsequently what most alcoholics think along the lines of. While it is too early for scientists to study the long term effects of energy drinks, it’s not too soon to be concerned about the risk over the reward. Is putting your health in danger worth a pretty drink? That’s for you to decide.