Energy Drinks, good or bad? Dentist Sandy Springs:

We routinely caution patients about the consumption of soda, juice and Gator-aide type drinks and the toll on teeth.  Water should be the drinking source for everyone.

But with the rise in consumption of energy drinks, the medical community is beginning to take aim at the ingredients used in these drinks that act as stimulants to their consumers.  And as you would expect, the American Academy of Pediatrics has focused on the harmful effects the consumption of some of these products have on children and young adults.    Some of these energy drinks contain as much caffeine as 10 to 15 cans of soda.   And without a better understanding of the amounts of caffeine (and Guarani and Taurine) being consumed and when they are being consumed, many of our youth are being unwittingly exposed to dangerous endeavors.  Adding to the confusion between sports drinks and energy drinks, many retailers place energy drinks next to sport drinks with inference that their consumption is similar to sport drinks.

We encourage parents to act with caution in the purchase of energy drinks.  The unknowns about these drinks coupled with a significant rise in their consumption should cause parents to be weary of the side effects and potential toxicities, including your childs oral health.  Energy (and sports) drinks should not be a staple part of the diet.  Drinking water is the better approach to hydration and a healthy body.

Unfortunately, there are no long-term studies on the effects of these energy drinks and their associated arrangement of stimulant ingredients.  So if you drink these types of products, do so in moderation.  Then your children are most likely to avoid the potentially harmful side effects.

Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC

290 Carpenter Drive, 200A

Atlanta, GA 30328

404-513-1240

www.rightsmilecenter.com

info@rightsmilecenter.com

References:

1. Reissig CJ, Strain EC, Griffiths RR. Caffeinated energy drinks—a growing problem. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2009;99(1-3):1-10. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

2. Weise E. Petition calls for FDA to regulate energy drinks. USA Today. October22, 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-21-energy-drinks_N.htm Accessed September 3, 2010.

3. Bryce DJ, Dyer JH. Strategies to crack well-guarded markets. Harv Bus Rev. 2007;85(5):84-92.[PubMed]

4. Ballard SL, Wellborn-Kim JJ, Clauson KA. Effects of commercial energy drink consumption on athletic performance and body composition. Phys Sportsmed. 2010;38(1):107-117. [PubMed]

5. Thombs DL, O'Mara RJ, Tsukamoto M, et al. Event-level analyses of energy drink consumption and alcohol intoxication in bar patrons. Addict Behav. 2009;35(4):325-330. [PubMed]

6. Miller KE. Energy drinks, race, and problem behaviors among college students. J Adolesc Health. 2008;43(5):490-497. [PMC free article] [PubMed]

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