Increased risk of stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular problems, sounds like the side affects of a new drug. Actually, all the health risks stated above are the affects of energy drinks.
Red Bull, Rockstar, Monster, Full Throttle, and Amp are the most popular brands of those drinks. Red Bull, introduced to the United States in 1997, is the most popular drink but it comes with a red flag. The Austria based company warns consumers not to drink more than two cans a day but doesn’t state why. According to researchers in Australia, Red Bull can be deadly when combined with stress or high blood pressure, impairing blood vessel functions and increasing the risk of blood clots.
It is mainly advertised towards young people because it is known to give them “wings”. The so-called, “wings” occur when the blood becomes sticky which is a sign of cardiovascular problems. The “wings” is a catchy marketing campaign and attracts athletes, “’Wings’ represent action, taking off,” said Dylan Snowden, senior football player at Station Camp High School, “so it gives you the ability to ‘fly off’.”
Originally, Red Bull was targeted for adults and along the way it attracted minors, high school athletes in general. “I get a Red Bull whenever I am going to have fun with my friends,” said Snowden, “just to let loose.”
According to redbull.com, it states that Red Bull “can be drunk in virtually any situation: at work, while driving, during leisure activities, and while playing sports.”
Because of all the caffeine in the drink, it will actually dehydrate the drinker, according to recent scientific studies. It doesn’t replenish anything lost while exercising like sports drinks such as Gatorade.
Currently, Kentucky, Idaho, New Hampshire, Maine, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Florida have all proposed bills to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors.
It is banned in Norway, Denmark, Uruguay, and was banned in France for 12 years until July 15, 2008, due to the health risks that it carries. In Canada, Red Bull is forced to put warnings on their products stating the high caffeine content.
Caffeine is a bitter alkaloid found in coffee and tea that is responsible for stimulating the nervous system, according to the dictionary. Two of the herbs that help make caffeine are, Guarana and Ephedrine. Both are known as substances and are banned by the IOC (International Olympic Committee), the NFL (National Football League), and the NCAA.
The NCAA states that an athlete cannot have more than 15 micrograms of caffeine in his/her system or else a drug test will come out positive. Even though the NCAA does not drug test until the championship, a team’s fate could lie in the hands of one test.
“Our trainers wouldn’t let us drink Red Bull during the post season,” said Kenzie Roark, softball pitcher for Virginia Tech University. The Hokies finished third at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City this past season. “I’m not sure why,” said Roark, “they just told us not to drink them.”
In a span of two years, 41 deaths and nine red lines were reported due to energy drinks such as Red Bull. So just remember, Red Bull may give you “wings” but it could fly you in a different direction.
