2008 Woodie Awards
High-caffeine drinks may cause harm, studies show
By Creshawna T. Parker
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Pulse
Originally published: 4/3/08 at 6:47 PM CSTLast update: 4/4/08 at 3:55 PM CST
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Many students use these high-caffeinated drinks to pull through all-night study sessions during midterms or final exams. They eventually crash a few hours later.
Of 10 students approached randomly on campus, three said they use energy drinks or coffee to keep them awake, to help them stay focused while studying or before they go out with friends.
Energy drinks may be delivering more than is advertised and may not be as effective as advertised.
"Most energy drinks aren't really magical. I think a lot of it is perception; they're just made up of a bunch of calories, caffeine and other ingredients," biology nutrition Professor Ellen Brennan said.
Engineering sophomore Robert Davis said, "I think it's all a state of mind, or at least the energy drinks I've tried really didn't affect me at all, but they taste good."
Another popular use of energy drinks is in night clubs where they are mixed with alcoholic beverages.
That combination can lead to a dangerous problem because alcohol is a depressant, while the caffeine in an energy drink is a stimulant and can cause dehydration.
"Since caffeine is used as a central nervous system stimulant and alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, mixing the two together is purposeless," Brennan said.
One 16-ounce can of Rockstar Energy Drink, a 16-ounce can contains 280 calories and 160 milligrams of caffeine, while a large Starbucks caramel frappuccino with whipped cream contains 500 calories and 155 milligrams of caffeine.
"Drinking those beverages in the morning is kind of understandable, but during the day, everyday, is something I really don't recommend." Brennan said.
According to the National Institutes of Health, so much caffeine on a regular basis can raise blood pressure, dehydrate the body and increase the risk of heart disease.
"How much caffeine a person can intake on a daily basis depends on the individual and their health, but you should always be aware of how much you do consume every day because too much of it can be harmful," Brennan said. "I really think energy drinks are just a fad."
For more information, call Brennan at 733-2691.
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Amazon Herbs
posted 4/05/08 @ 12:20 AM CST
Caffeine is like a mild form of cocaine. Cocaine does the same but much better. That is why it had testimonials of thousands of American doctors and the Pope, when it was legal. (Continued…)
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