A Energy drinks – death by sugar and caffeine

[artcanthurtu]

Energy drinks - quick lift or quick poison?

Energy drinks are often touted by the commercials that sell them as amazing beverages that can give you that much needed pick me up, especially in the afternoon, let's say.

However, energy drinks give you that "energy" at a price. They are usually loaded with caffeine and sugar. Both of these are substances that will give you a quick pick me up, sure, but then they will take that pick me up away and then some because they actually cause an energy spike followed by a severe energy "crash." What this means, in fact, is that they really don't give you energy at all. In fact, they deplete your energy over the long run.

Teens are one group that see energy drinks as a panacea and sometimes as a way to get legally "high," as is true of most people who drink coffee. Coffee has caffeine and yes, while caffeine is a legal drug, it's still a drug and one that's not particularly good for you. Teens are particularly at risk to abuse energy drinks for the quick "highs" they give, but this should be avoided.

Energy drinks can dehydrate you and create a sugar crash - especially for teens and kids

Not only do "energy drinks" actually deplete your energy, but they also leach important minerals and vitamins from your body that you need for good health. Caffeine is notorious for leaching calcium from the body when taken in excessive amounts, and sugar (also very prevalent in most energy drinks) can cause blood sugar spikes followed by severe crashes, which can cause weight gain, increased propensity to diabetes, and other problems.

Another problem with teens and energy drinks is that, of course, they don't get the nutrition they need from these types of drinks. Even though teens would like to view themselves as adults, they are still growing and developing as young people physically and need good nutrition to bring them to full adulthood. There is simply no substitute for whole foods and green nutrition.

Teens suck back Energy Drinks instead of drinking water  or eating nutritious foods

Instead, what teens actually need for good energy is good nutrition from the get go. Whole grains, legumes, lean meats, fish, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and of course, plenty of water (since we need water, too, for energy) are what will help teens have the energy they need to be physically active and enjoy life thoroughly.

One possible way for teens to get some of the nutrition and energy they need is through the use of super green energy drinks. Made of nutrition packed foods such as spirulina, these drinks are easily digestible so that when teens ingest them, they get the true energy and vitality they need, without sugar or caffeine spiked, and without energy crashes afterward.

Green Energy : it isn't just for cars and light bulbs - it can also help your body stay energized!

Instead, what they get is sustained energy to help them pursue physical activity and get through the rest of their lives with plenty of energy, too; they will also get good health in return. There are no detrimental health effects to pay with super green energy drinks as there can be with caffeine and sugar. So for a truly healthy "energy drink," try offering a super green energy drink to your teen, or have one for yourself. You'll see the difference right away.

[BethsNutrition]

May. 22, 2008 at 3:45 PM

Oh I know. My friends back in highschool were always pouring down energy drinks but they made me feel sick afterwards so I wouldn't drink them. Red bull was the worst, I think. They used to sometimes drive by my college, too, and give out free drinks. It was their way of marketing and kind of scary now that you think about it.

 They were trying to get kids hooked on all that sugar and caffeine so they'd start buying them. Almost as bad for the wallet as it was for their health.

 No, when I need an energy drink I always go for something natural, maybe a supergreen smoothie or just a tall glass of pure water. Makes me feel so much better actually knowing what I'm putting into my body.

 I think my friends had a clue what they were putting into their bodies too, but they didn't want to think about it. That's our problem...we don't want to think about these kinds of things. I'm going to make sure my kids know from early on so that they don't get started on these.

[artcanthurtu]

Jun. 3, 2008 at 3:04 PM

Great comment!, thanks so much.

O know when I was younger I never thought about what I was eating or drinking, but now i usre do. I am also more aware of what the young people around me are ingesting too.

 

(Original Poster)