PLAIN CITY, Utah -
Substance abuse prevention specialists are at Fremont High School talking to teenagers about something that isn't typically considered a dangerous drug. But overuse of energy drinks by teenagers has health officials concerned.
Cody Mastronardi said he usually drinks one or two energy drinks a day.
"Sometimes I'll have three or four of them, but usually it's two a day," he told Fox 13. "In the morning it keeps me awake, and at work it kind of helps me concentrate."
He is not alone. Teachers said they are seeing more and more students rely on energy drinks to get them through the day.
"I've seen a big increase in students that are using them," said Fremont High School health teacher Anthony Wilson.
Substance abuse prevention experts say that too much caffeine can be dangerous to people's health, especially a developing body like a teenager's.
"With that much caffeine, especially in these kids that are so small, in their bodies that are still growing, it can have some really harmful effects," said Kandi Christiansen, a prevention specialist with Weber Human Services. "I'm noticing, as young as 10-year-olds, drinking this."
Christiansen is going around to schools talking to them about the potential health risks. She says than 100 milligrams of caffeine can be harmful to some people. The average cup of coffee has about 145, energy drinks have about 160. Add to it other stimulants like Taurine, Guarana and sugar and it increases the stimulation. Then, there's the crash effect.
"I see it sometimes," Wilson said. "Kids that are taking them and they won't be able to get through the day and by the time they get to the fourth period, their heads are bobbing."
Weber Human Services takes no position on whether energy drinks are good or bad, but they want teenagers to know what they are getting themselves into. Mastronardi says he knows the potential risks, but says he's still drinking them.
"I'm just doing what i can to get through the day," he said.
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
VISIT US ON YOUR CELL PHONE! http://mobile.fox13now.com
Cody Mastronardi said he usually drinks one or two energy drinks a day.
"Sometimes I'll have three or four of them, but usually it's two a day," he told Fox 13. "In the morning it keeps me awake, and at work it kind of helps me concentrate."
He is not alone. Teachers said they are seeing more and more students rely on energy drinks to get them through the day.
"I've seen a big increase in students that are using them," said Fremont High School health teacher Anthony Wilson.
Substance abuse prevention experts say that too much caffeine can be dangerous to people's health, especially a developing body like a teenager's.
"With that much caffeine, especially in these kids that are so small, in their bodies that are still growing, it can have some really harmful effects," said Kandi Christiansen, a prevention specialist with Weber Human Services. "I'm noticing, as young as 10-year-olds, drinking this."
Christiansen is going around to schools talking to them about the potential health risks. She says than 100 milligrams of caffeine can be harmful to some people. The average cup of coffee has about 145, energy drinks have about 160. Add to it other stimulants like Taurine, Guarana and sugar and it increases the stimulation. Then, there's the crash effect.
"I see it sometimes," Wilson said. "Kids that are taking them and they won't be able to get through the day and by the time they get to the fourth period, their heads are bobbing."
Weber Human Services takes no position on whether energy drinks are good or bad, but they want teenagers to know what they are getting themselves into. Mastronardi says he knows the potential risks, but says he's still drinking them.
"I'm just doing what i can to get through the day," he said.
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
VISIT US ON YOUR CELL PHONE! http://mobile.fox13now.com
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
