Life requires energy. Between school, work, family, homework, friends and hobbies, it can be understood why many people consume caffeine in one form or another whether it be from coffee, energy drinks or caffeine pills. But does caffeine’s benefits outweigh the drawbacks?
Caffeine can enhance alertness, speed up the thought process, battle fatigue and increase physical performance. However, caffeine, namely energy drinks, can cause dehydration in hot weather, disrupt sleep patterns, increase jitteriness and anxiety, and is associated with fertility problems.
Bakersfield College nurse Debra Strong had a disturbing experience with a student who had consumed two Red Bull energy drinks.
“The student came in and because she had drank two of them, her heart was beating so fast that we had to call the paramedics,” Strong said. “That is the only experience that I have had with the drawbacks of energy drinks.”
Although many people believe caffeine can be good for you as well as helpful in times of fatigue and exhaustion, too much of a good thing can be detrimental. There are many who consume caffeine in massive quantities.
BC student Reynaldo Juban used to drink an excessive amount of energy drinks but has stopped.
“I used to drink a lot of energy drinks,” Juban said. “But then I had to write a report on them and realized that it is just too bad to be putting into my body.”
So, if you are a caffeine addict, be sure to keep your addiction under control. Otherwise, you can end up in an ambulance or the hospital.
“My professional opinion is that anything that is done should be done in moderation,” said Strong. “The best thing to do for energy is get plenty of rest and have a nutritious diet.”