Energy drinks contain caffeine and other stimulants like guarana, taurine, and B vitamins. While studies have found that caffeine can increase alertness and reaction times, there is no evidence energy drinks enhance sports performance. Potential negative effects include dehydration, increased heart rate, and risky or aggressive behavior, especially in teenagers. Long-term health impacts are still unknown due to lack of research. The document calls for clearer labeling of caffeine content in energy drinks and limits on their marketing and sale to youth.

1. Energy drinks
and risk among youth
Matthew Levandowski
COM 201

2. Overview
Many people drink energy drinks without realizing the health effects they may
cause, there is not enough research to prove it's long term effects, and they
have a psychological effect on behavior causing young kids to take more risks.

3. What’s in energy drinks?
The main ingredient in most drinks is caffeine.

4. Caffeine amounts

5. Guarana
 Commonly found in
brazil and is included
in a majority of energy
drinks

6. Taurine
 Most common in red bull
Taurine is an amino acid
commonly found in stomach bile.
Yummy, stomach bile sounds
appetizing.
MSNBC reported that Germany
did a sample test and found trace
amounts of cocaine in red bull
not enough for damage but
Germany was threatening to ban
it for legal reasons.

7. Ginkgo Biloba
 Comes from the ginkgo tree.
Found in Steven Seagal’s
ligntning bolt, Monster, hooah,
and other drinks

8. Ginseng
Comes from the ginseng root
Commonly found in asia.
American version called Panax
Nothing like roots for a snack.

9. B Vitamins
Comes from the ginseng root
Commonly found in asia.
American version called Panax
Nothing like roots for a snack.

10. Positive Effects of energy drinks
Study by Bristol University concludes caffeinated
beverages:
Increased reaction times.
Increased alertness and Mental focus
Mood enhancer
o conclusive evidence that the drinks promote greater performance in sports.

11. Negative Effects of Energy
drinks
Cocaine – FDA banned
 it for
illegal advertisement as a drug
alternative, but reopened
under alternative label. FDA
stopping again for the font on
the can, saying it’s too similar
to the powder form of the
drug.

12. Negative Effects of Energy
drinks
Rockstar Punched Guava – 330mg

of caffeine same as a
Starbucks Grande coffee, not
= to mention the ~68mg of
guarana and B-vitamin
content. Over 300 calories, so
you would have to run about
30 minutes to burn it off.

13. Negative Effects of Energy
drinks
Dehydration – caffeine
 is a proven diuretic which causes
dehydration among other effects to the digestive system.
Athletes – should take warning as most energy drink
related deaths directly involve sports, or alcohol use with
the drink.
Increased aggressive and risky behavior - especially
among teens, reports NY times and research done by
medical journals.

14. Conclusion
So what have we learned here, basically
energy drinks do have some positive
benefits, but there a plenty of negatives that
should be watched out for especially among
teenagers.

15. Call to Action
Be wary of what you drink
Petition the FDA to label energy drinks by
caffeine content and limit the selling to youth
under 18.
Limit bars to the mixing of energy drinks with
alcohol.