Energy drinks: friend or enemy?
Eric Reid has vomited every morning since frosh week. It’s not a perpetual hangover, but rather an over consumption of energy drinks that has lead to some serious medical problems.
“It’s just normal throwing up,” said Reid. “I’m addicted to energy drinks, even with the health problems.”
Reid, first-year architecture student, started drinking energy drinks three years ago because he liked the taste and found them to be popular with his friends. Before he started puking daily, Reid drank an average of one energy drink every two days. “I knew the risks but I didn’t think they would be that severe. I didn’t know [energy drinks] would cause long-term problems,” he said.
In December, 80 per cent of Swedish school nurses rallied to impose an age limit on Red Bull and other energy drinks. Due to health concerns, Red Bull has restrictions in France and is banned in Norway and Denmark.
A 250 ml can of Red Bull contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee along with amino acid taurine, a synthetic substance produced by pharmaceutical companies. These are two aspects that contribute to the side effects energy drinks can cause including exhaustion, increased heart rate and stress.
Su-Ting Teo, the director of student health and wellness at Ryerson, has noticed the increased popularity of energy drinks on campus especially in conjunction with alcohol. “Both caffeine and alcohol dehydrate the body,” she said. “Taken together in large amounts can cause severe dehydration.”
Will Campbell, a first-year business student, drinks an average of one energy drink a week and follows the recommended guidelines. “The only reason why I don’t drink [energy drinks] frequently is because I fear I would become reliant on them as my main source of energy,” said Campbell.
Sean Carson, residence council president, notices that students use energy drinks to keep them awake. “I see a lot of people drinking energy drinks around exams.”
Carson thinks energy drinks are popular on campus because they are readily available in vending machines.
Additionally, companies such as Red Bull give out free samples of the product in exchange for publicity. Like last year, when Red Bull donated cases of their product for a party in residence. The students loved it.
“Until there is health concern issued by health authorities, I don’t think it is necessary to put an age restriction on energy drinks,” said Carson.
Reid also believes that age restrictions on energy drinks will be unsuccessful. “Its a good idea in theory but I don’t think anyone will follow it,” he said. “It’s just like alcohol, if people want it that bad they will find a way to get it.”
Despite his stomach problems related to having too much sugar in his body, Reid continues to consume energy drinks. He admits to drinking a lot around exam time or while studying.
Comments
Anonymous, 6 months ago said:
DON'T DRINK ENERGY DRINKS!!! THEY KILL YOU!!!
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Anonymous, 6 months ago said:
I would greatly appreciate speaking with Eric Reid to get more information about his dependance to energy drinks. Please pass this on to him! I am conducting a study. He/or anyone else who has had an adverse reaction to energy drinks can reach me at aboutenergydrinks@yahoo.ca
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Anonymous, 6 months ago said:
I'm noticing a lot more articles in college newspapers about energy drinks. I think that's great, a lot of young people aren't even aware of the potential for health effects. I think the worst is likely to come. What are the long-term effects of these drinks? Everyone drinking them on a regular basis are guinea pigs, they'll let us know the answer. I spoke to someone recently who loves red bull and vodka, he didn't know there were potential health effects, but he did wonder why after 4 drinks he had a pain in his chest, he stopped after our conversation. How about a college student who told me he takes prescription med's and found himself unconscious for 2 days after just one energy drink? He regularly drinks coffee. One doctor recently said to me that we can expect to see more deaths, I think he is probably right. The problem is when someone suffers an arrhythmic event and dies, it's often impossible to find the cause after death.
If anyone has had a reaction, it is important to report them, John Hopkins University has an ongoing study, and if your in Canada, Health Canada needs to hear your adverse effects as well. I am trying to get more information for my own study and would love to speak with anyone who has had an adverse reaction. You can contact me at aboutenergydrinks@yahoo.ca I have heard of several reactions that occurred to just one energy drink, some of which were by regular coffee drinkers. Common sense says that if your tired, rest, or take something out of your schedule. They say that we have the first generation in history among us now, that isn't expected to live as long as their parents, will energy drinks help play a role in this statistic? My gut says yes. They are addictive, if you havn't started DON'T.
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Anonymous, 6 months ago said:
I NOTICED RED BULL GAVE OUT SAMPLES THERE LAST YEAR, DID YOU KNOW IT'S AGAINST THE FOOD AND DRUG ACT TO GIVE OUT FREE SAMPLES OF A DRUG PRODUCT? NHP'S, SUCH AS RED BULL ARE A SUB-SECTION OF THE ACT. BUT RED BULL CONTINUES TO HAND OUT SAMPLES REGARDLESS OF THE REGULATIONS.
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