What do you think of high-energy drinks?

@susieq223 (3742)
United States
March 7, 2007 10:21pm CST
I just read a news article about a teenage girl who had a stroke from drinking Red Ball. She had high blood pressure and the huge amount of caffeine in the drink made it go higher. These drinks haave extra amounts of caffeine that could cause a variety of problems and there is no warning of any kind on the label. I'm wondering how harmful this much caffeine intake might be, not only to kids, but anybody. I've never had one of these drinks, so I don't know what they are like. I'm not sure what, if anything, can or should be done. Any ideas?
3 responses
@babyjane (1390)
• Philippines
9 Mar 07
The warning on high-energy drinks is now official, with extreme caution being urged following numerous queries from commanding officers about their sailors drinking large amounts of the drinks. The SOI of Environmental Health, LTCOL Victoria Ross, said the possible side-effects of having too much of these high-energy drinks should be known, as there is more to them than meets the eye. LTCOL Ross said the main ingredients are usually caffeine and sugar, ingredients that can actually dehydrate you if taken to excess. "Although they are liquid, they will not necessarily hydrate you. The ingredients will have the opposite effect and you can become quite ill," said LTCOL Ross. "Caffeine is known as a stimulant but it also acts as a diuretic. In other words, some fluid trickles in and lots trickle out. "Many people cannot tolerate the effect of caffeine as it may adversely affect the normal functioning of the heart. Because these drinks taste like fruit, rather than tea or coffee, it would be easy to consume more caffeine than you intend. Check the label.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
10 Mar 07
ARe you from Great Britain? It sounds liked your cans may be labeled. I don't think the ones in the U.S. are yet. I think they should be.
@brimia (6581)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I never drink these...I've only tried Red Bull once and didn't like it. I know a few people who love these drinks. I actually try to avoid caffeine because it makes me jittery. I don't think the caffeine and sugar are healthy at all.
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
10 Mar 07
According to some of the latest articles, caffeine does have antioxidants which are helpful, but I agree that drinking too much caffeine is not healthy. As to sugar, it's addictive for me. I am trying to get off of it now.
@sjizzy (62)
• United States
8 Mar 07
I like to drink energy drinks. I do not drink a lot of them although I have at times. I find that if I sip one over a long period of time it helps.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
10 Mar 07
They really do help with your energy? Do you ever get any side effects when you drink one?