[Advanced] Young Adults + Energy Drinks = A Bad Mix? (2)

At issue is a dizzying array of products with widely varying levels of caffeine, sugars, carbohydrates and other additives, including herbal supplements.

Most best-selling energy drinks contain about 80 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounces, though they are often sold in containers as large as 20 to 24 ounces. Other more extreme products abound, some of them in mix-your-own powders or concentrates, in strengths researchers say range from about 50 to 500 milligrams per serving. At their maximum strength, energy drinks contain about 300 milligrams more than the 2-ounce shots of 5-hour Energy frequently seen near checkout counters.

Beverage industry officials contend their products are not dangerous when used in moderation by healthy people.

"For a healthy person, probably one is not going to kill you. But we don't know," John P. Higgins, a sports cardiologist at the University of Texas said. "I think it's the combination of things in these energy beverages," he added, cautioning about interactions.

Marketing to the young

Yet another issue raised by doctors and researchers is the marketing of energy drinks to young people, particularly through sponsorships of athletes and extreme sports.

"Unfortunately, kids in college, high school and even younger see these athletes promoting it," said Cindy J. Chang, president of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and chief medical officer for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team. "It's like thinking, 'Wow, I need that shoe,' or whatever. It's a brand associated with a personality, and they think, 'He's cool. She's a superstar. They're drinking it.' "

A parent of two teenagers, Chang was at her daughter's club soccer last spring when she saw energy drink samples being distributed.

"All the girls took one, and here I am embarrassing my daughter by telling them, 'You can achieve just as much if you drink a glass of milk.' "


[Advanced] Young Adults + Energy Drinks = A Bad Mix?
Think twice before you jolt your system with popular energy drinks loaded with caffeine
年輕人+能量飲料=糟糕的
讓充滿咖啡因的流行能量飲料撼動自己的身體前，請三思而後行

mms://203.69.69.81/studio/20130720adaaa1196e4d51c84e4e54164987551121de3815f65b8a494e2799ccc68edecfe0c.wma