Red alert on energy drinks

by JeffHuang | September 4, 2008 at 03:38 pm
3701 views | 7 Recommendations | 35 comments

Photos

Monster M-80

Monster M-80

see larger image

uploaded by chuckexe

We have had many stories written about Redbull and how it causes problem for the heart. Now here are more reasons not to drink energy drinks as research shows more problems arising with the consumption of these liquids.

A recent three-year study of calls to a Chicago poison center found more than 250 cases of caffeine-supplement overdose, with 12% of those requiring hospitalization. Nearly two-thirds of the hospitalizations involved the intensive care unit. Symptoms included insomnia, palpitations, tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and chest pains. The average age of patients was 21. Another poison center study focused on Redline. Nine cases requiring hospitalization related to this specific drink were reported in the California Poison Control System database in a two-year period, with severe symptoms involved.

Here is a case of a boy who had severe stomach pains for two months and when they did an endoscopy, this is what they found:

The findings were impressive: severe inflammation, bleeding and ulcerations in a part of the small intestine called the duodenum, the portion of the intestine closest to the stomach.

When the medical team's members went back and got further history, they learned that the teen had been drinking several Redline energy drinks a day. Energy drinks, including Red Bull, Rockstar and Full Throttle, have become extremely popular over the last decade because they can give lift when needed, such as when studying for finals or partying into the wee hours.
recommend This comment thread is now closed
0
Brian Fllmore

Lots of caffeine and creative logo's on the cans and media hype all want to make us believe their energy drinks should be consumed by the masses. Appealing to the younger crowd.

I hope your story gets a lot of views to make people aware there are health risks associated to these products.

Take care

Brian

Brian Fllmore
Brian Fllmore
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 17:20 on September 4th, 2008

JeffHuang, I like this story. It's good stuff.

0
Visentico

Everybody complains about energy drinks... but almost everybody consumes them. I think it is like tobacco, and it could be regarded as an addiction as well.

0
mclaren237

I love and hate these drinks. I know they are not healthy but on a tired day it is hard to resist.

mclaren237 has contributed a photo to this story.

0
James Corsini


0
Juhani Markkula

My energy drink skyscraper at the office (some beer included)

Juhani Markkula has contributed a photo to this story.

mchawk
mchawk
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:48 on September 5th, 2008

JeffHuang, I like this story. It's good stuff.


What's so wrong with a good old-fashioned cup of java? Energy drinks are the Crack of the soft-drink world.  It's little surprise that there are health risks.

0
mararie

I drink an energy drink every morning for about 6 years now and never have had any problems with my health. They are probably not that healthy, but the amount of caffeine is not much higher than the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee, and many people drink several coffees a day, but never encounter any caffeine-related problems.

I think it is sad that people immediately think energy drinks are very bad for their health by just reading one or two case reports. Probably only drinking an exaggerated amount of energy drinks a may give severe problems, so just try not to get addicted too much!

0
bethsundquist

I've only had a half of an enegy drink ONCE and I had to mix it with water. I pity thse that can't deal without them. A glass of juice will do the same thing.

bethsundquist has contributed a photo to this story.

0
chelsea2010

waiting on the side walk outside my house...
i mean, passed out from caffeine overdose

chelsea2010 has contributed a photo to this story.

0
trixiefirecory

I was bored at work and silly putty can only entertain you for so long, so I thought it would be a good idea to take a picture of my drink-which apparently is bad for me. Oops.

trixiefirecory has contributed a photo to this story.

0
Astonishing_Joe

Great story, very informative. Sadly, I was drinking an energy drink as I was reading it - I'm rethinking that now....

0
trixiefirecory

mchawk says "crack of the soft drink world" like it's a bad thing! 

0
fatslick70

No wonder my chest hurts at times. I know these things work because if I have a Giant Monster after 7 PM, I can't go to sleep so I just lay in bed and think. I have cut down though, the photo is typical week at work a couple of months ago.

fatslick70 has contributed a photo to this story.

0
TaySand

Being a former energy drink addict, I learned that energy drink maybe be very appealing and tasteful when you are looking at them on a shelf, but when you look at the facts it really opens your eyes. I quit drinking them a little over a month ago after some of my co-workers had told me how bad they were and they encouraged me to stop for a week, and then 2 weeks, and pretty soon forever. I'm glad I ended up quiting. I feel so much better overall.

TaySand has contributed a photo to this story.

0
justlooking

Both of the above-cited cases are extreme examples.  And what research differentiates between 21yr olds hospitalized after several nights in a row of raves where these energy drink cocktails may or may not contain much alcohol and other drugs?


I'm sure that the occasional beverage is no worse than a lot of something-- if you're an average build and in fair shape (target market is 19-22 == invincible youthful bodies) taking in an all-night party drink, you should be fine.  If you treat MONSTER as your OJ-substitute, you are making fundamentally stupid choices and will more likely suffer.


0
corpse of taloy

As with most things in life, moderation is important.

0
MyArtistSoul

My 18 year old daughter drinks RockStar drinks. She knows they are not good for her, so she tries to limit herself to one a day...but it's the gigantic size can that she considers a "single serving." I did a series of macros photos of details of one of her discarded cans, all shiny and bright and pretty. Oh, so attractive!

MyArtistSoul has contributed a photo to this story.

0
chaser87238

I don't think there is anything wrong with energy drinks! I'm drinking a Monster right now!!

chaser87238 has contributed a photo to this story.

0
Xyiko

It depends on the person. I have drank a BFC and two regular size monster in one day and been fine.

Xyiko has contributed a photo to this story.

0
JeffHuang

Yes, it is bad for you, but I think if you drink it reasonably (once in a while) its not THAT bad. All the severe cases are from people who drinks them constantly and more than they are supposed to.

0
Jessica Ohare

Hi, thank you for wanting to use my photo!
:)
It is greatly appreciated!

Jessica Ohare has contributed a photo to this story.

0
maybowl

Monster was handing out free energy drinks at Warped Tour

maybowl has contributed a photo to this story.

0
Paolo Barrera

This was during the Super Bowl 2008 weekend in Phoenix Arizona. A local bar called The Tavern on Mill hosted a special Super Bowl party at Hayden Square in Tempe, AZ. Featuring Dj Z-trip, Dj Nameless, and various music bands. Event was also sponsored by Red Bull

Paolo Barrera has contributed a photo to this story.

0
jeslynphoto

This was taken at a mausoleum actually. I used to drink lo-carb monster energy drinks like crazy... but felt like crap all the time - awake - but like crap.

No I stick to water, natural juice, and occasionally soda.

jeslynphoto has contributed a photo to this story.

0
gjordan

"Too much one thing no good."

But it's easy to drink too much of these energy drinks because they're bubbly and sweet like normal soft drinks.

Think moderation and don't over do it!

0
Silv3r Rav3n

I love energy drinks, I am healthy, All I have to say.

0
teak furniture

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

I think energy drinks is not that bad, as long as you enjoy it with moderation.

0
Matt Dolan

I Nearly passed out at work yesterday the doctor said because I had an energy drink, plus quit of few of those energy mints, I was sweating and really cold, not to mention heart racing and jittery, after that experience I fully understand they are unheathy for you, and actually can kill you....it was weird though I drink them before and nothing ever happened, so watch anything unexpected can happen when drinking them, I would advise to stop

0
konni2727

I was in supermarket,Iceland,Reykjavik, when this energy drinks catch my eyes,I think it's call "Burn" I have not tasted it,so I can say if it's good or not.The most popular energy drink in Iceland, is drink called "Magic" Very good.Red Bull has not been sold in Iceland,sadly.To much caffeine in it,so nobody can imported it,forbidden by the coverment!Sucks!!!!

konni2727 has contributed a photo to this story.

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

What is NowPublic?

NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.

Find out more

Crowd Power

Brian Fllmore
First Flagged at 5:20 PM, Sep 4, 2008 by Brian Fllmore
These members have powered this story:

Most Recommended Stories in Health

 

closeSign in to NowPublic

is reporting from