Earlier this week, the Canadian Medical Association urged the Canadian government to crack down on caffeine-laced.energy drinks, insisting the beverages pose real health risks for children. Some such drinks contain more than five times the caffeine off can of coca cola.
The energy drink category is now a $4.8 billion industry with a growth rate of more that 400 per cent since 2003. They appeal to young consumers because of their soft-drink-like taste and appearance, but also because they have that added bonus of keeping you energized. These shiny potions usually contain caffeine, taurine (an amino acid) and glucuronolactone (a carbohydrate).
Problems arise when young people start consuming energy drinks in place of water after sporting events, or worse, mixing the caffeinated beverage with alcohol. Energy drinks are not hydrating but dehydrating and young people who imbibe with alcohol combined with energy drinks are known to get drink twice as often as those would drink alcohol alone. Besides intoxication, inadvertent adverse effects of energy drinks include electrolyte imbalances, nausea, vomiting, and heart irregularities
In June, a man named James Shepherd said his 15-year-old son died from an unexplained arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) after he had consumed a Red Bull energy drink. In his report to the House of Commons, Shepherd said he believes the drink contributed to his son’s death. Health Canada has received several dozen reports of adverse reactions linked to energy drinks 15 of which were cardiac events.
The first choice of beverage for children and young adults should be water. Plain, old water can be dressed up with mint leaves, lemon wedges or even cucumber slices to keep growing bodies healthy and hydrated. Invest in a Brita faucet for cleaner water straight from the tap.
Do you have an opinion about children and energy drinks? Have you consumed energy drinks before? Should the government ban them from children? Share your comments with other Torontonians.
Comments
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I have nephew 23years old who lives in Canada and who has suffered a massive stroke after taking some of these energy drinks for a while. He even played basket ball for his school when this occured. He has has had to under go a number of surgeries to releaved the pressure off of his brian. Has has lost most of use on his entire left side. I think these drinks should be taken off the market.
Hi Cecil, I am a Heath advocate in Canada and feel the same way as you about these drinks. I have been advocating with all levels of government to change legislation to protect Canadians. I would greatly appreciate speaking with you about your nephew's serious adverse reaction. Have the parents reported it to Health Canada? No-one that I have spoken with that has had an energy drink reaction has reported it to Canada Vigilance. Please contact me at aboutenergydrinks@yahoo.ca and help me make a difference in this most important issue.
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