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High-Energy Drinks Not Good For Kids, Expert Warns
POSTED: 4:17 pm EDT April 14, 2005
The cans may be small, but energy drinks pack a big punch.
A small can of a drink such as Red Bull has the same amount of caffeine as a strong cup of coffee or two cans of cola.
High-energy drinks are hotter than ever, especially with young teenagers.
Ever since Britney Spears was spotted buying Red Bull, the drinks have been a hit with the junior high school set.
Dr. Maher Karam-Hage, an addiction specialist at the University of Michigan, warns that the drinks cannot only be addictive, but dangerous.
"Most of us wouldn't really let our children drink two or three or even four cups of coffee," said Karam-Hage.
But that's exactly how much caffeine your children could be consuming.
Too much caffeine can cause hyperactivity, insomnia, even rage and doctors say it's easy to overdo it.
"If the first one didn't work, the person is going to drink a second or third one, and that's when we start really piling up on the caffeine and it gets to be toxic levels," said Karam-Hage.
Experts warn student athletes may also experiment with energy drinks, hoping to gain an edge before competitions.
That can cause dehydration or health problems that are even worse.
"Cardiovascular events can happen, meaning they could collapse," said Karam-Hage.
France and Denmark have already banned some of the high-octane beverages. Other countries require warning labels..
In the United States, doctors say it's up to parents to set strict limits.
Experts say the energy drinks are especially dangerous when mixed with alcohol, which Lila's Good Health found is a popular practice at many local bars.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/health/4380602/detail.html
POSTED: 4:17 pm EDT April 14, 2005
The cans may be small, but energy drinks pack a big punch.
A small can of a drink such as Red Bull has the same amount of caffeine as a strong cup of coffee or two cans of cola.
High-energy drinks are hotter than ever, especially with young teenagers.
Ever since Britney Spears was spotted buying Red Bull, the drinks have been a hit with the junior high school set.
Dr. Maher Karam-Hage, an addiction specialist at the University of Michigan, warns that the drinks cannot only be addictive, but dangerous.
"Most of us wouldn't really let our children drink two or three or even four cups of coffee," said Karam-Hage.
But that's exactly how much caffeine your children could be consuming.
Too much caffeine can cause hyperactivity, insomnia, even rage and doctors say it's easy to overdo it.
"If the first one didn't work, the person is going to drink a second or third one, and that's when we start really piling up on the caffeine and it gets to be toxic levels," said Karam-Hage.
Experts warn student athletes may also experiment with energy drinks, hoping to gain an edge before competitions.
That can cause dehydration or health problems that are even worse.
"Cardiovascular events can happen, meaning they could collapse," said Karam-Hage.
France and Denmark have already banned some of the high-octane beverages. Other countries require warning labels..
In the United States, doctors say it's up to parents to set strict limits.
Experts say the energy drinks are especially dangerous when mixed with alcohol, which Lila's Good Health found is a popular practice at many local bars.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/health/4380602/detail.html
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