The topic on energy drinks being illegalized is a very huge debate. Even though the product provides individuals with stamina, energy, and alertness, the associated problems have always been overlooked. In most cases, alcohol and other caffeine-laced drinks have been linked to some of the most dangerous illnesses. According to the WHO report, energy drinks contain about 160 milligrams of caffeine which is above the recommended consumption amount of 105 milligrams which is twice or thrice the accepted levels of caffeine for the young people (Breda et. al, 2014). Energy drinks are so stimulating and glistening and are mostly available in fruity flavors unlike caffeine which is available in coffee. Most people do not know that energy drinks regulate the caffeine content in their body. Therefore, this report clearly corroborates that the energy drinks are unsafe for human consumption. The alarming rates of energy drink consumption among teenagers is a cause for concern. For instance, a survey carried out by the British Soft Drinks Association corroborated that the energy drink sales escalated by 185% between 2006 and 2014 (Breda et. al , 2014) . Based on this assertion and the associated effects of energy, it is logical to term these products illegal. Therefore, it will be prudent enough for the concerned authorities to ban energy drinks in the society.
Also, energy drinks should be illegalized because they are a potent brew. Even though manufacturers purport that their products are non-alcoholic, the high level of caffeine and sugar render the product a potent brew. For instance, the excessive use of these drinks by athletes can cause dehydration which may negative implicate their health ( Turton, Piché & Battram, 2016). This is because caffeine and high amount of sugar impair the absorption of fluid in the body which consequently triggers dehydration. Also based on the fact that energy drinks are banned in sporting activities clearly implies that the product is unsafe for human consumption. Furthermore, energy drinks contain vitamin B that optimizes the body’s utilization of sugar content. However, most of the American diets are rich in vitamin B thus additional ingredients gleaned from energy drinks is unnecessary. In fact, the drinks load the body with so much stuff which threatens the well-being of an individual. Before drinks like Loko were introduced, alcohol was one of the constituents of these products. The integration of alcohol and caffeine is a disaster from a health perspective. With these assertions, it will be prudent to sanction the sale of energy drinks since they harbor lots of effects than benefits.
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The long-term effects associated with the consumption of energy drinks are unclear. Even though researchers have noted that a high level of caffeine is associated with short-term illnesses such as mild seizures and extreme energy, the long-term effects are still unknown ( Hampton, 2016). Do energy drinks contribute to cardiovascular illnesses? What about their contributions to the insulin resistance? These are some of the questions that have not been accurately explored in regard to the consumption of energy drinks. Therefore, this assertion justifies the banning of energy drinks. Currently, the energy drink market has fewer restrictions which consequently endangers the consumer. Hence, this scenario calls for a stern action from the Drug and Food Administration. With little or no regulations, manufacturers are more likely to introduce product ingredients that may have more long-term effects on the consumer. Terming energy drinks illegal will be the only viable option.
Considering the fact that children aged between 10 to 17 years are the major consumers of energy drinks, threatens their overall well-being ( Hampton, 2016). The rampant consumption of energy drinks among teenagers evokes behavioral problems. High amounts of caffeine increase heart rate which consequently leads to elevated anxiety. The hyper activeness among teenagers coerces them to indulge in unacceptable behavior. Furthermore, energy drinks expose individuals to the risks of diabetes at an early age which is a cause for concern in the society. A recent research carried out in Australia corroborated that caffeine causes headaches and sleeping problems among teenagers. Therefore, the prevalence of these short-term illnesses is more likely to cause high heart palpitations and other cardiovascular illnesses. Considering the fact that young individuals have a low caffeine tolerance, energy drinks are unsafe for consumption. In order to evade the lawsuits, vendors have resorted to blaming parents and families instead of regulating consumption to a given age limit. Also, noting the fact that most of the manufacturers are using advertisements that target teenagers clearly jeopardizes the regulatory measures that prevent them from selling the products. This concept clearly insinuates that the manufacturers are up to making profits and concerned with the health aspects of their products. Therefore, such concepts justify the motive to term energy drinks illegal in the society.
Energy drinks should not be legalized because they act as an addiction agent. Excessive consumption of caffeine causes an individual to develop a habit of being unable to function properly without consuming them. Also, addiction to energy drinks draws an individual to other drugs that are not good for human health. For instance, it reaches a level where some few tins of red bull are not enough to cause the required body stimulation. Therefore, this situation compels an individual to seek for other avenues of quenching the stimulation thirst. Furthermore, it has been estimated that energy drinks can cost up to $900 on an annual basis ( Barrense ‐ Dias et. al , 2016) . Considering the fact that energy drinks are addictive, consumers are more likely to use huge amounts of cash to satisfy their urge. Therefore, why should people use large amounts of money on products that do not have much health benefits?
Energy drinks should be banned on the grounds that they use other artificial sweeteners. Ingredients such as aspartame are agents of obesity. However, it is alarming that the rate of consumption of artificial sweeteners in the US is on the rise. For instance, in the year 2008 and 2007, 15% of children and one-third of adults reported having consumed artificial sweeteners ( Hampton, 2016). It is worrying to note that this rate of consumption is still escalating with time. In addition, parents should play their role in ensuring that their children are aware of the dangers of energy drinks. They should always monitor the foods or drinks the children take to avoid cases of minors taking them. Energy drinks have no nutritional value in their bodies and they also bring in behavioral problems including sensation-seeking behaviors.
Based on this statistical data, the San Antonio Heart Study corroborated that individuals who consumed energy drinks gained weight as compared to those who did not ( Hoyte, Albert & Heard, 2013). With this assertion, it is very clear that energy drinks harbor lots of disadvantages as compared to benefits. Therefore, it will be prudent enough for the concerned authorities to implement stern measures that illegalize its sale to the public.
References
Barrense ‐ Dias, Y., Berchtold, A., Akre, C., & Surís, J. C. (2016). Consuming energy drinks at the age of 14 predicted legal and illegal substance use at 16. Acta Paediatrica , 105 (11), 1361-1368.
Breda, J. J., Whiting, S. H., Encarnação, R., Norberg, S., Jones, R., Reinap, M., & Jewell, J. (2014). Energy drink consumption in Europe: a review of the risks, adverse health effects, and policy options to respond. Frontiers in public health , 2 , 134.
Hampton, T. (2016). Energy Drinks Pose Worrisome Risks to Adolescents’ Cardiovascular Health. Circulation , 134 (14), 1052-1053.
Hoyte, C. O., Albert, D., & Heard, K. J. (2013). The use of energy drinks, dietary supplements, and prescription medications by United States college students to enhance athletic performance. Journal of community health , 38 (3), 575-580.
Turton, P., Piché, L., & Battram, D. S. (2016). Adolescent attitudes and beliefs regarding caffeine and the consumption of caffeinated beverages. Journal of nutrition education and behavior , 48 (3), 181-189.
