Energy Drinks: a quick burst of energy. Or one way ticket to the emergency room? Walking around the halls of Woodland Regional High School, it is not rare to spot students with vibrant cans, displaying exotic flavors. Many students rely on these caffeinated drinks to stay awake throughout the school day, but the question remains: are these a beneficial way to boost one’s energy, or will they land you in the hospital with a heart condition?
There is no surprise that students are enticed by these bubbly drinks. The flavor names themselves are formulated to draw in teenagers: Cherry Slush, Cosmic Vibe, Orange Kiss, or Blue Sour Patch. They are reminders of childhood candy, the tastes of them containing a nuance of the sweets we all enjoyed growing up.
“My favorite energy drinks are Alanis, Pink Slush specifically. It tastes like candy,” said Abbie Raffone, an occasional energy drinker.
The drinks are undoubtedly tasty and double as a socially acceptable way to consume soda in the morning. Let us face it; the line between energy drinks and soda is very thin.
But does the overabundance of caffeine milligrams in each drink really affect student’s energy levels? Some say the more energy drinks they consume, the less they actually feel energized by them.
“I only really drink them on days I have a tennis match. Otherwise if I drink them too often, it feels like they do not do anything,” said Raffone.
According to Healthline, caffeine blocks the brain’s adenosine receptors, which when binded to the adenosine molecules, suppress the release of dopamine, a chemical messenger that promotes arousal and wakefulness. The regular consumption of caffeine adapts your brain to increase the amount of adenosine receptors, allowing it to once again bind to the molecules and block dopamine, thus increasing a person’s “tolerance” to caffeine (healthline.com).
Consequently, if a person drinks an abundance of energy drinks, the energy-boosting effects will eventually regress. Longterm, this develops a psychological dependence on energy drinks, consuming more and more in order to “feel” the effects of the drinks once again.
For some however, the effects never really seem to dull out.
“I have an energy drink at least four times a week. If I don’t I seriously feel less energized. I don’t think the effects go away for me no matter how many I have,” said Kaylin Lawton, an adamant energy drinker.
Aside from the fact that consuming these drinks day-to-day lessens their impact, they also raise health issues within the cardiovascular system.
“I stopped drinking Celsius once I saw a video that said drinking them landed a girl in the hospital with heart issues,” said Eva Lynn, another energy drinker.
Jefferson Health says caffeine is a stimulant, and when paired with the other additives in the drinks, its stimulating effects are amplified. This raises heart rate and blood pressure, causing an abnormal heart beat pattern. An abnormal heartbeat necessitates more time for the heart to “recharge” in between each beat, which can result in arrhythmia: a heart rate or rhythm irregularity that can be deadly.
For energy before a workout, doctors suggest eating a quick carbohydrate source: fruit, grain products, or even a bit of candy, instead of the drinks. Workouts themselves are a heart simulant alone, not needing to be paired with extra caffeine.
“I like to have them before track meets sometimes, but I always make sure to eat something with them as well or they make me feel shaky,” said Lynn.
Consuming an energy drink occasionally, especially when accompanied by food, is unlikely to cause harm and can offer a convenient and enjoyable energy boost. It’s important to remember that moderation is key, and watching your overall caffeine intake will allow you to maintain a healthy balance.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4682602
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-tolerance#development
https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/your-health/living-well/can-energy-drinks-hurt-your-heart
