Summer has officially arrived.
Warm temperatures and active outdoor lifestyles often leave us reaching for a drink to quench our thirst, a quick pick-me-up or just a cool drink to enjoy. There are many choices, and a popular choice among teens and young adults is an energy drink, which comes in many forms and brands.
The following article was written by Melissa Wdowik, Ph.D., RDN, an assistant professor at Colorado State University in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and director of the Kendall Anderson Nutrition Center.
Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar dominate the energy drink market, while sales of Full Throttle, Amp, NOS and others continue to climb. Energy shots are also hot, including 5-hour Energy and similar products. What’s the attraction? Caffeine, of course.
An energy drink is defined as any beverage that acts as a physical and mental stimulant. Popular especially among young adults and teenagers, they seem to be the perfect pick-me-up, yet health experts and organizations have cautioned against them. Below are the top five concerns.
1. Caffeine content is between 80 and 300 mg, depending on the product and size. Research shows an intake of up to 400 mg daily by healthy adults does not produce negative side effects, but as little as 100 mg can cause high blood pressure in adolescents.
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