Oct 30, 2006 10:46 pm US/Mountain
Nutritionists Issue Warning About Energy Drinks
by Kathy Walsh
DENVER (CBS4) ―
Nutritionists are worried high sugar and high caffeine drinks can deliver an unhealthy jolt to teenagers.
When high school students go to lunch many head straight for the fast food but these days, they might wash it down with a Red Bull or one of more than 500 other
energy drinks that were launched this year.
"It's almost kind of sweet and sour tasting at the same time and just has a great kick to it," said Ethan Rice, a 10th grader.
The number of sugar and caffeine packed energy drinks grew by 80 percent last year to create a $3.4 billion industry.
What coffee is to adults, drinks like Amp and Adrenaline are to teens. Rice said he likes the liquid pick-me-up.
"Just drink it, go to 6th period and then you'll actually listen to the teacher," Rice said.
"You know one of the things caffeine does is it actually can increase how alert you are so there's the possibility that might be true," said Bonnie Jortberg, a registered dietician.
While little research has been done on the effects of energy drinks on teens, she thinks consuming too many can be dangerous.
"I think the harm would be anything that causes rapid heart beat, heart palpitations, a rise in blood pressure, those kinds of things," Jortberg said. "I think we have to be attentive to that because that's not a good thing no matter what your age or your health status."
Regardless, Rice said he isn't worried. He pays about $2 a can for Red Bull so he limits himself to one a week or whenever he has some extra cash.
Nutritionists said moderation is always key when it comes to health.
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