Did you know that you might be consuming a dangerous amount of stimulants everyday? Over the past few decades, the number of teens (12-17 years of age) who claim to consume energy drinks regularly has jumped to 31%. Energy drinks like Monster Energy and Redbull contain an unsafe amount of caffeine and certain herbal extracts, but how much? It is almost impossible to know exactly how much caffeine is in each drink. This is because caffeine is rarely listed as an official ingredient and when it is, the amount stated is typically inaccurate. The FDA (The US Food and Drug Administration) prevents drinks like soda from containing more than 65 milligrams of caffeine for every 12 ounces, but does not regulate the amount in energy drinks and cold coffee beverages. An average cup of coffee (6.5oz) contains 80-120 mg of caffeine while the average 12 oz energy drink can contain 154-280mg. However, certain brands of energy drinks can contain up to 500mg of caffeine. For most healthy adults the daily limit is 400mg (FDA). The daily limit for adolescents is a little more complicated.
The FDA has not given an official guidance due to insufficient evidence, but the American Academy of Pediatrics says 100mg is the maximum amount of caffeine a teenager should be consuming each day. Even just one 12 oz energy drink is over the daily limit of caffeine for adolescence. Consuming more than the recommended daily limit for caffeine over an extended period of time can lead to anxiety, headaches, fatigue, neuropathy, seizures, liver damage, kidney failure, respiratory disorders, agitation, psychosis, atrial and ventricular fibrillation, and even cardiac arrest. So, instead of consuming unhealthy stimulants that can lead to serious health disorders, grab a water instead.