Energy drinks, such as Red Bull, have become increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults in recent years. In 2006, nearly 500 new brands were introduced to the marketplace, and over 7 million adolescents reported that they had consumed an energy drink. Energy drinks are particularly popular among young athletes who see the consumption of energy drinks as a quick and easy way to maximize athletic and academic performance.
In October 2008, the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), the governing body for high school sports, approved a position statement strongly recommending against the use of energy drinks by young athletes:
In May 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a clinical report1 [2] strongly recommending against the consumption of energy drinks because of the potential health risks [3],2 including harmful effects on the developing neurologic and cardiovascular systems.
"There is no place for energy drinks in school, play, or sport for children or adolescents, and dare I say, adults," echoed MomsTeam sports hydration expert, Dr. Susan Yeargin.
Question: What is an energy drink?
Answer: An energy drink is a beverage marketed to both athletes and the general public as a quick and easy means of relieving fatigue and improving performance. In addition to water, nearly all energy drinks contain carbohydrates and caffeine as their main ingredients. The carbohydrates provide nutrient energy while the caffeine acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system.
Question: What are the differences between an energy drink and a sports drink?
Answer: Sports drinks [4] are designed to provide re-hydration during or after athletic activity. While contents vary, most sports drinks contain a 6-8% carbohydrate solution and a mixture of electrolytes [5]. The carbohydrate and electrolyte concentrations are formulated to allow maximal absorption of the fluid by the gastrointestinal tract.
Energy drinks contain a higher concentration of carbohydrates (usually 9-10%), and thus a larger number of calories than sports drinks. They also contain high amounts of caffeine and, in some cases, other nutritional supplements. Energy drinks are not designed to re-hydrate athletes during activity and should not be used in such circumstances.
Question: What ingredients are found in energy drinks?
Answer:
Question: What are the possible effects of using energy drinks?
Answer:
Notes:
1. Scheider M, Benjamin H, Clinical Report - Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents: Are They Appropriate? Pediatrics 2011; 127(6): 1182-1189.
2. Seifer S, Schaechter J, Hershorin E, Lipshultz S. Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Pediatrics 2011;127(3):511-528. Revised June 7, 2011
* On September 22, 2010, Virginia became the first state in the nation to ban the use of energy drinks [8] during high school football games and practices.
Revised December 20, 2011; current as of May 4, 2015
Links:
[1] https://momsteam.com/node/867
[2] https://momsteam.com/node/3462
[3] https://momsteam.com/node/3294
[4] https://momsteam.com/node/280
[5] https://momsteam.com/node/865
[6] https://momsteam.com/node/266
[7] https://momsteam.com/node/75
[8] https://momsteam.com/node/3169
[9] https://momsteam.com/users/drsusan
[10] https://momsteam.com/eating-disorders/energy-drink-pose-serious-health-risks-to-children-teens-young-adults-says-study
[11] https://momsteam.com/nutrition/sports-hydration/fluid-guidelines/sports-drinks-best-at-keeping-sports-active-kids-hydrated
[12] https://momsteam.com/health-safety/replace-electrolytes-lost-during-sports-with-sports-drinks
[13] https://momsteam.com/energy-drinks/energy-drinks-banned-at-virginia-high-school-football-games-practices