Disclaimer: This blog is an assignment for CMP 272 Summer 2009 to allow students an opportunity to present a valid argument, generate feedback (pro and con), post responses, and practice moderating skills in a technological environment.
$4.7 billion sold in 2007...yikes!!
The sale of energy drinks to young children should be regulated due to health issues associated with the ingredients.
Do you know what your children are drinking?
Do you know what an energy drink is? Energy drinks are beverages that claim to boost energy levels. They contain excessive amounts of caffeine and sugar, and even yohimbine and vinpocetine. Should young children under 18 be drinking energy drinks due to the high caffeine content?
Caffeine content in energy drinks can be as high as 350 milligrams (equivalent to 10 cans of coke), which increases heart rate, causes nervousness and high blood pressure. Caffeine is a diuretic (causes increased urine output) and robs our children of necessary fluids. These products also contain high amounts of sugar.
Increased sugar content causes tooth decay and childhood obesity. It may also cause an increased risk of diabetes and hyperactivity. In addition to caffeine and sugar, energy drinks also contain ingredients normally used by adults.
Yohimbine is a psychoactive drug of the tryptamine chemical class with stimulant and aphrodisiac effects. It is used to treat erectile disfunction. Vinpocetine is produced from the leaves of a periwinkle plant and is used to treat Alzheimer's in Europe, menopause, and antiulcer activity. There is little data regarding the safety of these derivatives for developing children, therefore pediatricians recommend that children not ingest them.
Our children should be drinking healthy products such as juice, milk, and water. Therefore, energy drinks should be regulated by the FDA so that only adults ages 18 or older can purchase the product.
References
http://www.redorbit.com/modules/news
http://www.ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8265.pdf
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.magazine.ayurvediccure.com
http://www.drugs.com/mtm/yohimbine.html
http://www.drugs.com/npp/vinpocetine.html
Young kids are always bouncing off the walls so why should we by engery drinks for them... i buy them for my self cause trust me i need em you know being old and stuff...lol Young kids dont and should not have em!...Nice blogg
to me i dont think that kids really need energy drinks because as young as they are why should they need something to help them be awake and alert through the day. i think they just want it because they have a mind set that they need it, when really they dont
I think that kids shouldnt need energy drinks. They are supposed to be in there hyperactive crazy years!!!! they shouldnt need something to boost their energy up.
I agree that energy dricks should not be giving to kids I myself don't use them because they don't do anything for me.
I believe kids under the age of 18 should not be aloud to buy energy drinks
Children are still growing. They do not need energy drinks to get them through the day. Kids have too much energy as it is, why would they need extra sugar and caffine? As adults or parents, there is no reason or right to allow a child to drink these. Don't be an enabler.
I have a nephew who thinks this is the superman of drinks. He is too young to drink them. They can lead to heart problems. I think kids shouldnt drink them and I think parents should not buy them for them.....no matter how much they cry or make a seen in a store. DO NOT BUY THEM FOR A CHILD!!!!!
I agree that energy drinks should be regulated by who can purchase them. My eight year old son tries to get me to buy him Monster, all the time. I tell him that when he is 18 he can buy whatever he likes, but I'm not buying him that crap.
