Energy Drinks..........Giving you wings might not be the only effect............

Energy drinks.....some say they are the way to go when you are tired and unable to keep going.....You see the plug from one of them that says it gives you wings.....I was amazed at the shopping centre the other day just how many teenagers are drinking these.....I decided to do alittle research on the net to see what the real deal with these drinks are......They seem to be loaded with three main ingredients....caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone.......So i thought i would look into this a bit and put up the findings for all to see......Does your teenager drink these when you are not around??

These drinks were designed to improve stamina and physical performance......some of the energy drinks out there are designed to help elite athletes but they are sold to the general community and our kids....

I have cut and pasted this information below from the drug info clearinghouse site down too the amount of caffeine in pepsi max.........

Taurine
Taurine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. Amino acids help to build protein. They are also believed to detoxify and cleanse the body of harmful substances. In times of stress and high physical activity, the body can lose small amounts of taurine.

Glucuronolactone
Glucuronolactone also occurs naturally in the body. It is a natural metabolite and carbohydrate formed when glucose breaks down, and is believed to be helpful in ridding the body of harmful substances and providing an instant energy boost

Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant which acts on the central nervous system to speed up the messages to and from the brain so that the person feels more aware and active.

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Beverage (250 ml) Caffeine  content
Impulse                                 88 mg
Red Bull                                80 mg
Naughty Boy                         80mg
'V'                                            78 mg
Coca-Cola                            48.75 mg
Diet Coke                              48 mg
Diet Coke Caffeine-Free      2 mg
Pepsi                                      40 mg
Diet Pepsi                              44 mg
Pepsi Max                               44 mg

Did you know that scientists say that caffeine may have an effect on the growing brain and the immune system.....The health authorities at the moment say that these drinks are safe generally as long as some cautions are taken....Like the amounts consumed on these drinks there is a warning label to say how many are safe to be consumed in one day.......To me I don't really like the chances and will steer my kids away from them as much as I can......

The Australian consumers association says that even if the energy drinks are scientifically safe that certain people should still avoid them......That amount of caffeine on its own can make you have problems sleeping or make you anxious.....

Would you let your child have a strong cup of coffee at home.....Do you avoid Cola drinks for your kids because of caffeine well most energy drinks have double.....There is no proof that energy drinks are healthy even if they say they contain vitamins and things because you can get these from most foods......Preganat women are advised to stay away from them especially in the first trimester as caffeine increases the risk of miscarriage.........Active sports people get dehydrated by these energy drinks because they do not replenish the minerals or water lost during exercise as drinks like gatorade do.......People with heart disease for obvious reasons and people with a caffeine sensitivity.....

The verdict from most sites is that energy drinks have some bad effects on people and more and more evidence is emerging to go with this......If you do decide to drink these drinks yourself or to let your kids drink them then please keep an eye out for a change in mood or behaviour.....

Have a great day
Cheers
Angie