In the News--Highly Caffeinated Drinks

Have you been following all the news about energy, high caffeinated drinks?  Recent news articles cite 13 deaths over a four year period believed to be due to high caffeinated drinks.  Lawmakers are calling on the FDA to set up maximum caffeine limits for these “energy drinks”.   Soft drinks (sodas) contain no more than 70 milligrams (mg) per 12 oz soda.  Because the FDA does not regulate the energy drink market,  the caffeine level on energy drinks isn’t required.  People who drink the energy drink may have no idea how much caffeine is in their drink. 

Now you may say 13 deaths over a four year period isn’t very many---unless it’s your beloved son or daughter who was drinking several of these drinks while studying for finals –only to become dehydrated, suffer from heart rhythm issues, and end up in an emergency room. 

Speaking of an emergency room, check out these statistics:  In 2005 the emergency room visits linked to energy drinks was 1,128.  In 2009, the number of emergency room visits associated with energy drinks was 13, 114 (a huge increase).  Another interesting fact about these ER visits: half of them involved young adults 18 to 25.  Many of these ER trips involved mixing alcohol or drugs with the energy drinks.

The FOX  News article quoted the American Academy of Pediatrics:  “That energy drinks should never be consumed by children or adolescents.” 

Why would I talk about this situation?  I think knowledge is power.  When we understand the dangers of the high caffeinated drinks, we can educate our loved ones to be smart and safe in regards to these drinks. FoxNews, “Lawmakers urge FDA to regulate energy drinks,”  http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/11/16/lawmakers-urge-fda-to-regulate-energy-drinks/