Energy Drinks and Their Safety

Legal drugs, such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, are often viewed as safer than prescription and illegal drugs. In particular, caffeine is viewed as safe by many people as it is not regulated, unlike nicotine and alcohol. Many "energy drinks" on the market, such as Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar, contain high levels of caffeine, some in excess of four times the amount of caffeine as is present in a cup of coffee. Additionally some energy drinks contain herbals such as guarana and ginseng.

Andre, a 15-year-old high school student, has joined the track team. His teammates suggest that he take an "energy drink" before practice to give him an "edge." Andre asks his mother to purchase some energy drinks for him the next time she goes to the store. Andre's mother is concerned about the safety of using these drinks, as she has heard that they contain a lot of caffeine.

Using your textbook and the Argosy University online library resources, research the use of energy drinks by young people.
Respond to the following:

Are energy drinks safe for use by young people? What are the safety implications?

Should the purchase of energy drinks be regulated? Why or why not?