Drinking energy drinks has become a very serious problem in the past 10 years. It’s almost like a trend, but little do people know that energy drinks can lead to sleep disruption, withdrawals that cause headaches and fatigue, dehydration, and high levels of caffeine. These effects shouldn’t be happening to teenagers.
When I asked Israel Oramas, a student at TMMS, how he felt about energy drinks and how they affect his life, he said he “hates them” and that he thinks “kids have natural energy,” so they’re not necessary. He also talked about how they affect his everyday life. His sister drinks energy drinks every day, and he doesn’t like it at all. I then asked if he sees other kids with energy drinks, and he said he sees them every day. When I asked how many he sees per day, he said six or seven.
After asking Katya Goad, another student at TMMS, how she felt about energy drinks, she said she likes them because “they make her energetic and taste good.” I asked if she really needs the caffeine, and she said, “No I just like the taste.”
Then, Stella West, also a student at TMMS, said that she doesn’t like energy drinks. When I asked why, she said, “They lead to heart problems” which is true. I then asked if she would ever drink one, and she said no.
While these are just a few people who are against energy drinks, they are still very addicting. The National Institutes of Health says that 30–60 percent of teenagers in America drink energy drinks, meaning a lot of kids are being affected, whether they realize it or not.
