Energy Drinks Pose Serious Health Risks for Young People

Energy drinks all over the world are recieving more media attention due to their high levels of caffeine. Self report surveys indicate that energy drinks are regularly consumed by 30% to 50% of children, adolescents and young adults.
Energy drinks are categorized as nutritional supplements and therefore avoid the limit of 71mg caffeine per 12 fluid ounces which the US Food and Drug Administration has set for soda. Some of these energy drinks contain as much as 75 to 400mg per container coming from additives such as guarana, kola nut, yerba mate and cocoa with addition caffeine not included in the listed total.
A study in New Zealand found that on average all children, teenagers and young men would exceed the adverse effect level of 3mg/kg per day of caffeine after consuming a single retail energy drink. The recommended daily caffeine intake of 2.5 mg/day for children and 100mg/day for adolescents.
The consumption of energy drinks posses a variety of health risks including, liver damage, kidney failure, respiratory disorders , confusion, seizures, psychotic conditions, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hypertension, heart failure and death. People with cardiac conditions, attention-deficit, hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, those on diabetes, those taking medication or consuming alcohol are strongly advised to not consume any kind of energy drink.