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Wired on energy drinks? 
Walk into any school and you are likely to see students drinking a wide variety of “energy drinks.” While some claim to be healthier than others with vitamins and herbal supplements, parents need to be aware that almost all energy drinks have surprising amounts of some not-so-good ingredients. Most energy drinks contain far more caffeine than the limit set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for carbonated colas. (Energy drinks are not included in the FDA regulation that limits caffeine in other beverages.) However, caffeine content is not disclosed on beverage labels, so energy drinks may pose a health threat to consumers who should limit their caffeine intake. That includes those with high blood pressure, pregnant women or people with certain psychiatric diseases or anxiety conditions. They may unknowingly ingest too much caffeine if they consume energy drinks. In certain people, caffeine can cause anxiety, palpitations, irritability, difficulty sleeping and stomach ailments. Caffeine is also habit-forming. Sugar content is also a concern in some energy drinks. Check the label for how many grams of sugar, and be sure to note if the can contains more than one serving. The best thing you can do to help your student start this year right? Trade unhealthy energy drinks for nature’s most effective energy drink of all: water!
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