Energy drinks : Do they really boost energy? 

Energy drinks have caught the attention of many teens seeking to get some ‘extra’ boost to their system. Although energy drinks are not recommended for consumption by doctors or any other professional, teens would consume them once in a while. But energy drinks like all other caffeine-infused beverage have that addictive factor which could impose a great deal of health risks at a very early age. Bearing this in mind, the Daily Mirror Life consulted the opinions of males when considering the fact that more males are used to taking energy drinks than females.

Sagara

When taken daily I think the risk would be greater than having one once in a while.

Pushpakumara

I haven’t tried them but I have heard that they are not healthy choices.

Lakshitha

It does give some boost as said but it prevails only for a few minutes. In the long run these drinks would give rise to conditions like diabetes which is of course a risk.

Sachith

Once in a while it is alright to consume them.

Dhanushka

I know of people who have got addicted to these. In my point of view these products have been given enough advertising for teenagers to believe that they really give a boost to their system when in reality they impose adverse health risks.

Kalum Kularathne, model

At times when you are very tired having an energy drink would boost your system up to some extent. But these are not recommended for regular consumption.

Tishan Amarasena, fitness enthusiast

It is not very healthy and according to my knowledge they can cause side effects.

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Points to ponder 

· According to the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, cardiologists claim that energy drinks have high amounts of caffeine and other legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng. The amount of caffeine in an energy drink can range from 75 milligrams to over 200 milligrams per serving.

· The stimulating properties in energy drinks can boost the heart rate and blood pressure sometimes to the point of palpitations, dehydrate the body and like other stimulants they prevent sleep.

· Researchers suggest that one can (250 mL) of an energy drink a day is safe for most healthy adolescents, but consumption before or during sports practice should be avoided.

· Excessive consumption together with alcohol or other drugs, or both, may lead to adverse effects, including death, they warn.

· In the past three years, more than 2,000 children under the age of six were taken to hospital in the US suffering from the effects of the popular drinks. Their symptoms included serious cardiac problems - including abnormal heart rhythms - or neurological problems such as seizures and fits.

· Experts have calculated that a child under 12 could be poisoned if they consume more than 2.5mg of caffeine for every kilogram of their body weight. This means 50mg of caffeine in a day is enough to poison an average six year old.

· It has also been found that energy drinks are dehydrating and this dehydration can hinder your body’s ability to metabolize alcohol and will increase the toxicity putting you in to a hangover the next day.

Sources : www.brown.edu/Student_Services/Health_Services/Health_Education/alcohol,_tobacco,_&_other_drugs/energy_drinks.php and www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3023881/Energy-drinks-pose-heart-risk-teenagers-Youngsters-told-just-one-day-trigger-sudden-heart-attacks-high-levels-caffeine.html 

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe
Photographs by Kushan Pathiraja