If you look at beverage-related news, youll frequently see questions arising about the rising use of energy drinks, particularly by children and teenagers. Given that the energy drink market has increased by over 75 percent in the past year, and the non-energy carbonated drink market has actually declined for the first time in 20 years, its clear that more and more people are consuming these beverages, which raises questions both for those who enjoy energy drinks and for parents of kids or teens who may be fans of Red Bull, Rockstar, Jolt, or one of many others.
As you likely know, energy drinks are typically a cocktail of sugars, caffeine, amino acids and herbal supplements such as ginseng and gurana. They arent to be confused with something like Gatorade, which is intended as a fluid replacement and to help replenish an athletes electrolytes. Energy drinks on the other hand are intended for a short-term burst of energy and alertness, the caffeine rush that has fuelled many programmers, truck drivers, and college students working late into the night or beyond their accustomed sleep schedule.
Some health professionals express concern at the fact that the effects...