Energy Drinks can Cause Seizures, Especially in Children
It’s no shock that most energy drinks contain overwhelming amounts of caffeine and sugar and other unknown substances. But in a news report published on Monday (Feb 14th), Florida pediatricians described cases of seizures, delusions, heart problems and kidney or liver damage in people who had consumed energy drinks. The report calls for regulatory action and more research.
“Across the world there are signs that for some people who consume these drinks, there are side effects,” said Dr. Steven E. Lipshultz, who heads the department of pediatrics at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
U.S. Sales of non-alcoholic energy drinks are expected to hit $9 Billion this year, with children and young adults making up half the market. Amazing enough, the beverages are classified as nutritional supplements, which puts them under fewer restrictions by the FDA.
Manufacturers claim their products will enhance both mental and physical performance. Red Bull’s website, for instance, says their energy drinks will increase concentration and reflex speed, and improve vigilance and emotional status. These are lofty claims for something with such a bad track record. In 2010 alone, the company sold in excess of 4 billion cans and bottles of the drink, which is now available in more than 160 countries.
But according to the Florida researchers, who reviewed the medical literature on the topic, the industry’s claims of benefit are questionable.
“We couldn’t find any evidence at all of any therapeutic effects,” Lipshultz said. “If it were as simple as energy drinks just containing caffeine, that would be one thing, the problem is they contain a lot of other substances.”
Reports like this should make all of us question the foods and beverages we’re consuming, whether it’s nutritional or just plain poison to our bodies.
Resources
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/14/us-energy-drinks-idUSTRE71D1K520110214
University of Missouri-Columbia (2011, February 3). Coffee, energy drinkers beware: Many mega-sized drinks loaded with sugar, nutrition expert says.
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