Energy Drinks – Big Risk to Teens by Barb Wertz, Loyalsock ATC

Recently, The Today Show ran a special on the consumption of the many energy drinks on the market by teenagers.  The article, linked here, recognizes that energy drinks, such as Red Bull and many others, are possibly dangerous to young people.  The article lists the risks of these drinks as heart palpitations, seizures, strokes and possibly sudden death.  As a school, we are wary of our athletes, as well as any other student, utilizing these drinks too often, and especially, prior to competition.  While there is no set policy on the consumption of energy drinks, there is much documented evidence that puts coaches, parents, educators, and students alike on edge with these drinks.  It may be a very good idea to converse with your children about the potential negative effects of such drinks and discourage the use, especially prior to any sort of cardio-vascular activity.  This article is certainly not a definitive study on the issue, but it does relate much anecdotal evidence that cannot be ignored.  More study would be very helpful regarding this issue.  For more information, you may wish to read more about this issue by an article in the journal Pediatrics which was also cited in The Today Show article.  http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-3592v1