Dear people who drink energy drinks,
I have been drinking energy drinks every day since the 7th grade and am currently in 10th grade. However, within the past year I have noticed the effects it is starting to have on me mentally and physically. Energy drinks are so romanticized within the media and specifically marketed to teenagers, but no one really talks about the negative effects energy drinks have on the wellbeing of teens.
When people consume energy drinks it releases dopamine, which triggers the brain’s reward system, which leads to an addiction. This addiction completely stunts a teenager’s brain development. Most teenagers say they drink energy drinks because it “boosts their academic performance”, which is false, it actually causes a decline in academic performance over time. When an addiction to energy drinks forms, over time they have a harder time sleeping, they develop ADHD symptoms, anxiety occurs, and a greater risk of suicide.
When it comes to the physical side effects frequent consumption of energy drinks causes bone loss because of the loss of calcium weakens their bones and makes it easier to fracture a bone. It also wreaks havoc on a teenager’s nervous system and also their heart. One of my biggest motivators to quit drinking energy drinks, is the way my heart reacts to it. My heart has completely skipped beats, or I’ve had heart palpations.
Even if teenagers realize they do not want to continue drinking energy drinks, the withdraw symptoms are so strong, they just continue to drink them to avoid it. Withdraw symptoms include sleepiness, fatigue, headaches, impaired cognitive performance, depression, anxiety, and flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, vomiting, hot and cold flashes). In 2009, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said there were over 13,000 emergency room visits just related to overdosing on energy drinks.
Energy drinks and caffeine content should not be portrayed as positively as they are. That being said the people drinking them also need to also be aware of the effects it will have on them. People are slowly starting to talk more about kombucha, which is a natural energy drink. Matcha green tea, or 100% fruit/vegetable juice are also great things to start your morning with instead of energy drinks.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Hobbs
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