Sydney Ridenhour Source 1

Do energy drinks serve any useful purposes in some cases? And what would we mean by a 'useful purpose'?

Seifert, Sara, M., et al. "Health Effects Of Energy Drinks On Children, Adolescents, And Young Adults." Pediatrics127.3 (2011): 511-528. CINAHL. Web. 1 Mar. 2015.



This article discusses the effects and adverse consequences of consuming energy drinks in children, adolescents, and young adults. The main ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine, but it also has other ingredients in it that contains caffeine, like guarana, kola nut, yerba nut, and cocoa. So, "the actual  caffeine dose in a single serving may exceed what is listed." Because energy drink manufacturers claimed that they are a "natural dietary supplement" they don't have to have restrictions on the amount of caffeine they put in a serving. They also don't have to have labels or testing done on their drinks. If you overdose on caffeine, it can have a negative impact on your body. Overdosing on caffeine can cause you to have liver damage, heart failure, seizures, and other terrible things. Conducted through some studies"adults revealed improved mental alertness, reaction times, and concentration with energy drinks, others revealed no improvement compared with caffeine or glucose." Some side effects of over drinking energy drinks showed cardiovascular effects, increase in obesity, and has effects on bone mineralization. So in conclusion, there isn't a therapeutic benefit in drinking energy drinks. 

This source made me think of all the harmful things energy drinks do to your body. Of course I knew, but I didn't think it was that bad. I also had no idea that there wasn't any regulations put on the caffeine. This is scary to think about because manufacturers have complete control over it, and that could cause major health risks. I agree that there should be more studies conducted on energy drinks and the benefits and drawbacks of drinking those beverages. I also agree that doctors and pediatricians should look more into the effects of energy drinks consumed by children. This source has led me to think that if you are healthy and you drink an energy drink moderately than you should be fine, but if you drink it habitually that could lead to major problems. I also have come to the conclusion from this source that energy drinks should be regulated by the FDA. 

This source has led me to question regulation rules. Even though energy drinks are listed as "natural dietary supplement" how come it is not regulated? Are all "natural dietary supplements" not regulated? This source also brushed on the topic that other countries have banned it. How come America has not banned or regulated energy drinks? I would like to move toward thinking about how energy drinks have helped the economy.