- [Narrator] Health talk, brought to you
by Rapides Regional Medical Center.
(energetic music)
Energy drinks are the beverage of choice
of many adolescents.
After all, the marketing is specifically
targeted to young males.
Studies show the
consumption of energy drinks
is most common among those
between the ages of 11 and 35.
But are the beverages safe?
- The greatest concern is
generally the caffeine content.
They also usually contain
a large amount of sugar,
and there are a variety
of other ingredients
that may be included such as amino acids,
or various herbal extracts.
- [Narrator] Energy drinks
should not be confused
with sports drinks like
Gatorade or Powerade.
Caffeine is the most common stimulant
found in energy drinks.
The two ounce bottle of 5-hour Energy
contains about 200 milligrams of caffeine.
- Caffeine use can lead to
headaches, and sleep disturbance.
Higher intake can lead
to caffeine toxicity,
and this could be manifested
by nausea and vomiting,
extremely rapid heartbeat,
even psychiatric disturbances,
and in severe cases, seizures.
- [Narrator] Caffeine appears
on the list of substances
banned by the International
Olympic Committee.
There have been four documented cases
of caffeine associated deaths,
and five cases of seizures associated
with the consumption of energy drinks.
Perhaps the worst aspect of energy drinks
is their use when combined with alcohol.
- Use of energy drinks in adolescents
is associated with alcohol use,
and it also turns out that people
who drink more energy
drinks in larger amounts
tend to drink more alcohol.
- [Narrator] For more
information about the effects
of caffeine on you or your child,
visit http://www.rapidesregional.com
