A Magic Potion That Makes You Invincible?

Written by Dominique Houle on 22/02/12

Photo by: LaurenLetdA,wn on Flickr

From Red Bull to Rockstar, energy drinks are growing in popularity among Canadian consumers of all ages. The majority of buyers are young adults, which has raised a general concern regarding the sale and consumption of energy drinks (Health Canada).

A cup of energy please.

Energy drinks are commonly confused with sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade (Health Canada). Perhaps that is why many of us consider them to be harmless. For example, if you see a young person drinking many cups of coffee, it would probably seem like it’s a bigger deal than if they were drinking an energy drink, right? However, energy drinks have an ingredient that most sports drinks don’t: guarana. Guarana is a plant that produces beans similar to those of coffee, except the guarana bean contains twice as much caffeine. And if it takes five hours for the body to eliminate caffeine in half a cup of coffee, imagine how long it takes to do so after you’ve had an energy drink (Radio-Canada – in French only).

In any case, these drinks are far from being simple juices and there are even debates about whether it would be more appropriate to categorized them as a drug.

Caution

Although energy drinks are not yet regulated, this does not mean they have no adverse effects on health (physical and mental) of consumers and like most things, they must be consumed in moderation and with caution. Here are some tips to remember:

• Read the label of any health product you consume, including energy drinks and follow the instructions;
• We must consume energy drinks in moderation. Energy drinks should not be taken on an empty stomach and should not replace food;
• Never mix energy drinks with alcohol;
• If you engage in intense physical activity or exercise, drink water to help re-hydrate your system;
• If you feel any side effects (ex: racing heartbeat, shaking, etc.) after drinking an energy drink, report it immediately to an adult and / or your doctor (Health Canada).

What do you think?

Some people want to regulate the sale of energy drinks, so that they cannot be sold to minors. Do you think youth should be able to buy energy drinks?!

Links

Health Canada: Approach to Managing Caffeinated Energy Drinks
Health Canada : Safe Use of Energy Drinks
Radio Canada : Les boissons énergisantes (in French only)

2 Reader Comments:

1. 

   StrellizMarch 2nd

   I don’t like reading about poeple who overdo energy drinks not responsible behavior. I sip energy drinks. I don’t gulp them. I don’t throw cans over my shoulder. I probably drink less than 2 a month. Usually I eat very healthy and get enough sleep but there are times when life gets in the way and an energy drink helps me get through it. What I also don’t like is poeple who see me drinking an energy drink and start talking down to me. Most poeple have to make trade-offs in life. This is a pretty harmless one. And, yes, I have had an energy drink before a run. It didn’t help me run faster and I didn’t crash. It did wake me up so I didn’t start the race half asleep. Coffee, stretching, pre-race walks just were not working. I’ll continue to drink them responsibly.

2. 

   Dominique HouleMarch 5th

   Thank you for your comment Strelliz! Indeed, energy drinks may be the subject of much discussion and unfortunately, those who consume them can sometimes be stigmatized themselves. According to social discourse, however, the point to be made is often not to prohibit or regulate these drinks differently, but to ensure that people have the information they need to make good, informed decisions when it comes to what they eat and what they drink (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/10/06/pol-energy-drink-rules.html). This can be applied to all foods and beverages… I’m sure you’ve already heard someone say: One banana is good, but 12 not so much!

   Merci pour ton commentaire Strelliz! Effectivement, les boissons énergisantes peuvent faire l’objet de maintes discussions et malheureusement, ceux et celles qui les consommes peuvent parfois être stigmatisé eux/elles-mêmes. Selon les discours sociaux pourtant, il est souvent question non pas d’interdire ou régulariser différemment ces boissons, mais de s’assurer que les gens ont l’information dont ils ont besoin pour prendre de bonnes décisions éclairées quand il s’agit de ce qu’ils mangent et ce qu’ils boivent (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/10/06/pol-energy-drink-rules.html – en anglais seulement). Ceci peut s’appliqué à tous les aliments et breuvages… Je suis sûre que tu as déjà entendu quelqu’un dire: Une banane c’est bon, mais 12 pas autant!