CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KFVS) – Experts are warning about the dangers of energy drinks, particularly for people under 18.
Meghan Acklin, a personal trainer at Be Chosen Fitness, said she has seen the effects of energy drinks on her clients.
“It’s very easy to become addicted to, I’ve seen every age get addicted to it, and it affects their health,” Acklin said.
Acklin said one of her clients, under 18, drinks caffeine and skips breakfast because of it.
“I really don’t recommend it at all, it’s horrible for you, it drives your cortisol up,” Acklin said.
Dr. Dave Law, a cardiologist at Mercy, said energy drinks can be dangerous due to high amounts of caffeine and other compounds.
“The caffeine is unregulated, and you have no idea how much is in there, and if you combine that with other stimulants like nicotine or some of these others, it can be too much,” Law said.
Law said people should not consume more than a cup of coffee’s worth of caffeine.
“We don’t think of it, but caffeine is a drug, and you can actually overdose on caffeine to the point your heart can’t take the stimulation, and it can cause you to have fatal arrhythmias and to die,” Law said.
Law said energy drinks are especially dangerous for student athletes.
“The compounds in those drinks, the caffeine and other things, are stimulants to the heart, and then of course you’re going to go out and compete where your own adrenaline is stimulating your heart, and the combination of that can be fatal,” Law said.
Acklin said there are basic replacements for caffeine.
“Sleep, actually going to bed on time, having a good nighttime routine, actually eating breakfast,” Acklin said.
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