Caffeine

1. Caffeine & Energy Drinks

2. Why Do People Drink Energy Drinks Energy drinks are widely promoted as products that increase alertness and enhance physical and mental performance.

4. More research is needed to determine if the interactions of caffeine, sugar and stimulants could cause negative health effects. "They're sort of a black box. We really don't know a lot about them," Higgins said of energy drinks. "People need to be aware of that," he said. "For certain groups, it could be potentially dangerous, like for those under 18, women who are pregnant, people who have a caffeine sensitivity, people who don't consume caffeine on a regular basis and people who are taking certain medications, like Adderall for attention deficit (disorder)."

5. The Nutrition Facts Panel on food labels is required to include recommended dietary information for nutrients. Caffeine is not a nutrient. Caffeine dosage is not required to be on the product label for food in the United States It is a natural chemical found in such items as tea leaves, coffee beans, and cacao.

6. 108 grams

11. Last year, there were more than 20,000 emergency room visits attributable to the ingestion of energy drinks – following a 2011 government report that expressed real concern about the emerging problem posed by energy drinks and shots.

13. Who buys them? • Most poplar to American teens and young adults • Males between the ages of 18 and 34 years consume the most energy drinks • Almost one-third of teens between 12 and 17 years drink them regularly

14. Bottom line? • Although there’s very limited data that caffeine-containing energy drinks - may temporarily improve alertness and physical endurance • -evidence that they enhance strength or power is lacking • - they can be dangerous because large amounts of caffeine may cause serious heart rhythm, blood flow, and blood pressure problems. • There’s not enough evidence to determine the effects of additives other than caffeine in energy drinks. • The amounts of caffeine in energy drinks vary widely, and the actual caffeine content may not be identified easily.

16. CAFFEINE IS A DRUG AND IT HAS SIDE EFFECTS. The dose and size of the person determine the extent of harm. Taken in high doses, or by susceptible individuals at normal doses, caffeine can cause palpitations, high blood pressure, nausea or vomiting, jitteriness or sleep problems. In extreme cases, arrhythmias, seizures or even death could occur.

17. 2. CAFFEINE MIXED WITH SOME MEDICATIONS CAN BE DANGEROUS. Make sure and speak with your doctor or pharmacist about potential drug interactions. Mixing caffeine with some ADHD and asthma medications can be particularly harmful.

18. 3. SOME CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES CONTAIN OTHER INGREDIENTS THAT ARE NOT REGULATED BY THE FDA. This most commonly happens in energy drinks. They may include ginko, ginseng, taurine, guarana, kola nut, yerba mate, and more

19. 4. THERE’S usually AN UNDERLYING reason WHY THEY’RE DOING IT. Typically teens are drinking caffeine for that extra jolt to make them more awake and focused for school or extracurricular activities. Are they doing it because their tired? They probably just need to get more sleep. Are they trying to focus better? They might just need to take a 15 minute break or go for a walk to help with concentration.