Red Bull can make people feel like they have wings, but always be prepared for the wings to disappear and for a hard crash.  Energy drinks claim to give people more energy, but many people do not know the dangerous effects of them.

            Sophomore Kelsey Yelich, a consumer of energy drinks, claims that they help her.  “They keep me awake; they help me pay attention more and make me feel less tired.”  Energy drinks do many more things than just giving an “energy boost.”

            Most energy drinks contain as much caffeine in them as an eight-ounce cup of coffee.  It also contains excessive amounts of sugar.  Large amounts of sugar and caffeine are harmful, and any “boost” that you get is only from the sugar and caffeine.

            While many people think that energy drinks keep them awake and alert, the drink only blocks the effects of adenosine, a chemical involved in sleep.  When this happens, the body thinks it is in emergency and releases adrenaline.  This causes the heart to beat faster, the eyes to dilate, and the liver to release extra sugar in the blood.  These things only make you feel like you have more energy.

            Energy drinks are addictive and act as a stimulant and a diuretic, which is a substance that increases the flow of urine and gets rid of excess water.  Since it is a diuretic, it causes the kidneys to remove extra fluid from the body, which can lead to dehydration.  They also contain legal herb stimulants that are not required by law to be listed if the herbs have been sprayed with toxic pesticides or irradiated.  This means there is no telling if they will have a negative effect.

            Energy drinks also can make the user nervous, jittery, and irritable.  Sophomore Stephanie Farrah said that energy drinks made her shaky, and she “couldn’t concentrate on anything.”  They can cause anxiety attacks, heart palpitations, and insomnia, as well as increased blood pressure and rapid heartbeat.  High energy drinks can also erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay.

            Rather than drinking energy drinks, it is healthier to get enough sleep and maintain a healthy diet.  Doing regular physical activity will keep you from needing energy drinks as well.  Keeping up on these habits can give you the extra boost that you need.