Sports Medicine Experts Caution Kids About Too Many Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are pretty popular right now.  You can't go into a convenience store in Yakima and not find shelves lined with drinks like, Monster, Red Bull, RockStar, Amp, Five Hour Energy and more.

And like most things that rise that fast in popularity, Energy Drinks have caught the interest and attention of kids. Sports medicine experts say that's unfortunate.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has released an official statement that says highly caffeinated energy drinks aren't safe for children and teens, and shouldn't be marketed to them.  But of course they are.

Energy drinks are becoming the beverage of choice for many young people, and as their popularity rises, so do the sales numbers. Although soft drinks still sell the most of all cold drinks, energy drinks continue to chip away, claiming a larger percentage of the lucrative market each year.
Much of the gain in popularity of energy drinks has to do with aggressive marketing campaigns directed primarily at young people. Hip and edgy advertisements promise that energy drinks will ignite your mind, refresh your body, help you party like a rock star, and enhance your performance and stamina.

Energy drinks are especially popular among college students looking for something to help them stay alert during all-night study sessions. Of course, they are also used to mix popular alcoholic drinks and cocktails."

Researchers at the University of Texas McGovern Medical School say a review of current scientific studies showed that excessive levels of caffeine found in energy drinks can have adverse effects on cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, renal and endocrine systems, as well as psychiatric symptoms in kids.

Excess in most anything can have consequences but kids, because of their smaller size, are at higher risk for these complications because of their smaller body size, and potentially heavy and frequent use. (UPI)