Treat Energy Drinks the Same as Drugs
Treat Energy Drinks The Same As Drugs
By Kevin Pho, Athletic Business
Taken From USA Swimming's Coaching Connection, Issue 7, 2013
The energy drink business is booming. Sales in the U.S. have hit more than $10 billion, eclipsing categories such as iced tea or sports drinks. About 6 billion energy drinks were consumed nationwide in 2010, and it's estimated that 31% of teenagers drink them regularly.
But the popularity of energy drinks is leading to serious health consequences. A recent government survey estimated that the number of emergency room visits related to consuming energy drinks doubled nationally in the past four years.
It's no secret how energy drinks work: caffeine. Consider that just 2 ounces of a popular brand contains 207 mg of caffeine, which is almost as much as six cans of Coca-Cola. It is more than double the recommended amount of daily caffeine intake for teenagers, who are often targeted in advertising campaigns. Roland Griffiths, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, rightly calls them "caffeine delivery systems."
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