Stay away from energy drinks, doctors say

[Phouchg]

I might be mistaken but doesn't coffee have quite a lot less caffeine than, for instance, black tea?

[andrew_f]

Alternatively (here's a left field idea) do whatever the heck you like doing in moderation. Too much of a good thing is bad. But too little of a good thing is sad.

[Quactaur]

They have sugar for energy and caffeine for stimulation. If I want a short-term burst of energy and awakeness I'll drink them. They're obviously ill-advised for a developing child but I see no harm in consuming them every now and again when you need a buzz.

@E-Berlin.org : You do know that cocaine is a brand of energy drink?

[SuperKid]

I thought this was common sense?

Exactly. and Coca-Cola being the worst.

[nub]

"They contain caffeine and other stimulant substances that aren't nutritional, so you don't need them."

Thats the reason?

[Amarok]

I'm glad they weren't around when I was younger, they'd probably have killed me. Heh. Now that I'm older I drink one just about every day. Drink the sugar free variety though because I'm in it for the caffeine, not the sugar. People seem to have a bizarre idea of how much caffeine is in energy drinks as well, it's not that much.

Of course stupid people are going to "abuse" them for their own entertainment, but for some people that can't stand the taste of coffee and need a bit of a boost while working long hours or whatever they're a damn lifesaver.

Recently, she saw a 15-year-old boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who came into the hospital with a seizure after having drunk two 24-ounce bottles of Mountain Dew, a soft drink that contains caffeine.

The boy was already taking stimulant ADHD medication, and the extra caffeine in principle might have pushed him over the edge, according to Benjamin.

"You just never know," she said. "It's definitely a concern."

Earlier this year, Pediatrics published another review of the literature on energy drinks.

In it, Florida pediatricians described cases of seizures, delusions, heart problems and kidney or liver damage in people who had drunk one or more non-alcoholic energy drinks -- including brands like Red Bull, Spike Shooter and Redline.

While they acknowledged that such cases are very rare, and can't be conclusively linked to the drinks, they urged caution, especially in kids with medical conditions (see Reuters story of February 14, 2011).

Relevant portions bolded. Personally I blame the parents. And misleading article title is misleading if anything the doctors advise developing children and children with medical conditions to stay away from energy drinks. I recall a couple years back they concluded that it took 8 cans of Redbull to have a noticeable impact on the functions of the heart. IMO anybody that drinks 8 energy drinks at once deserves whatever they get. :laugh:

[Growled Member]

I thought this was common sense?

You would think that, wouldn't you?

[game_over]

Yeah, like you ever had something more than a joint, kiddo

Not a massive fan of energy drinks they keep you awake more than illegal drugs, it's easier to sleep after a night on the white stuff than some energy drinks, even the mild stuff like red bull... If you ever come across something called 'Go Fast' give it a try you'll be up for days, very unhealthy feels like your heart is going to burst out of your chest.

[DocM]

Go Fast isn't even in the caffeine big leagues :p

(per serving)

Coke: 45-50 mg

Instant coffee: 40-60 mg (8 oz cup)

Red Bull: 80 mg

Filtered coffee: 60-100 mg (8 oz cup)

Go Fast: 120 mg

357 Super Magnum: 250 mg

All City NRG: 300 mg

SPIKE Shooter: 300 mg

SPIKE Shotgun: 350 mg

Boo-Koo: 360 mg

Fixx Extreme: 400 mg

Starbucks coffee: 500 mg (16 oz glass)

[Azusa]

Think i may need to cut back a little.

[DocM]

Ya think?

My normal beverage is iced tea.

[game_over]

Go Fast isn't even in the caffeine big leagues :p

(per serving)

Coke: 45-50 mg

Instant coffee: 40-60 mg (8 oz cup)

Red Bull: 80 mg

Filtered coffee: 60-100 mg (8 oz cup)

Go Fast: 120 mg

357 Super Magnum: 250 mg

All City NRG: 300 mg

SPIKE Shooter: 300 mg

SPIKE Shotgun: 350 mg

Boo-Koo: 360 mg

Fixx Extreme: 400 mg

Starbucks coffee: 500 mg (16 oz glass)

As far as i know it's Taurine we should be looking out for?

[Eddo89]

I need it now. Exams and all.

I need one to get through the day. Another to get through the night of assignment. I'm aware is not ideal (which is problem with kids) and will cut back once I have less stress of endless lab reports while having tests to study for. But the way I'm going, I simply cannot be productive without a coffee or a red bull (or V, energy drink we have here in NZ which I don't think is too world wide). Sometimes I can get by by drinking litres of water but yes, I do have the craving as much as the need to stay awake sometimes. Is an addiction, but is a temporary thing.

But not coffee. I can't lay off a cup of GOOD coffee (I won't have a coffee and 2 Red Bulls obviously).

It shouldn't be a daily dose. It can be however for the need to replenish yourself in the midst of physical or mental exhaustion. As in, don't drink because you are going to need it, drink when you need it. Thing is with these drinks, once the effect is worn off you are far worse than what you are before.

[NienorGT]

It's just basic common sense anyway...

They should start taking actions ASAP about that instead of just talking.

My college removed them from sale and in result, you rarely see any student with them.

If you really need them for some reasons, there few Energy Drinks that worth it and are much safer, just like Guru.

[DocM]

As far as i know it's Taurine we should be looking out for?

In peer-reviewed studies Taurine has not been shown to have a stimulant effect.

[andrew_f]

In peer-reviewed studies Taurine has not been shown to have a stimulant effect.

Although I read recently it can cure hangovers and reverse some minor liver damage from 'the night before'. Probably not in the tiny amounts in energy drinks, mind.

They should start taking actions ASAP about that instead of just talking.

My college removed them from sale and in result, you rarely see any student with them.

Or you could just let people drink what they want - unless somehow this has some detrimental effect to your well-being?

[CoLdFuSi0n]

I drink about 3 - 4 redbulls a day, they are so good.

[Eddo89]

Although I read recently it can cure hangovers and reverse some minor liver damage from 'the night before'. Probably not in the tiny amounts in energy drinks, mind.

Taurine is often used by the body as a conjugate in metabolism, priming it for excretion. A 250mL Red Bull contains 1000mg of the stuff, which is no small amount mind you. A lot of damage from various abuse comes from the fact your body actually ran out of supplies in molecules that is needed to clear stuff from your body. When it runs out, the body either leaves it as a potentially toxic substance floating around or undergo other reactions that cause it to become a toxic metabolite. Taurine may be used in quenching them. As for what it does in terms of stimulant or even blood pressure, there are many claims but personally the truest thing is that it makes you pee.

As for the claim it can cure hangovers, no. What is likely is the actual sugar contents.

[Southern Patriot]

Some of those things taste as "sugary" as koolaid... :x

To be fair, Kool-Aid is only as "sugary" as you choose to make it. I make it with about half the sugar that the recipe on the pack calls for, and it tastes fine. In fact, it gives certain flavors a little extra sour twist that I happen to like.

[Southern Patriot]

@E-Berlin.org : You do know that cocaine is a brand of energy drink?

Hey, I've never heard of that brand either, so don't give him a hard time. I'm sure there are lots of brands out there that are available in one part of the world that aren't sold in other places. Do you REALLY expect everyone here to know of every single brand out there? What's really weird is that it is supposedly (according to the Wikipedia article on it) available where I live, but I've never once seen it in a store here.

[Amarok]

personally the truest thing is that it makes you pee.

This.

I'm drinking a Monster Absolute Zero right now while I type this. Mmmm caffeine, taurine, B vitamins, and aspartame. Mmmmm. Yummy. :laugh:

[acnpt]

Rarely drink energy drinks, but drink a few isotonic drinks a week as my job is quite physical.

[iamawesomewicked]

Exactly. and Coca-Cola being the worst.

I wouldn't call Coca-Cola an energy drink... More like an Energy Drain.

[Sranshaft]

Ah ****, I normally drink a 6 pack of 600ml cans of Wicked a day...

[nominak]

Ah ****, I normally drink a 6 pack of 600ml cans of Wicked a day...

That will probably kill you if you keep it up.