According to a study that has recently been published by the American Heart Association, poison control centers all over the US received 5,1256 calls involving children and energy drinks.
The study expressed that over 2,000 cases (almost 50 percent) involve children ages six and below. A huge number of these calls involve children who took in energy drink without the knowledge of their parent or guardian.
While the mechanism of the effects of energy drink to children is yet to be uncovered, its adverse effects -- which include cardiovascular and neurologic abnormalities -- are established.
Intake of energy drinks among children have caused an uproar to the medical community because of their high sugar and caffeine content.
Children have an innate affinity to sweets. Uncontrolled intake of sweets from fast food items, candies, carbonated drinks and artificial juice drinks are the culprits to the development of the early onset of diabetes and obesity in children.
Caffeine all the more is dangerous to a child's body systems. This compound which is considered a drug, is a diuretic, a CNS and cardiovascular stimulant and a broncho-dilator.
Each can of energy drink has been found to have a caffeine content equal to that which is present in 500mL of coffee.
In fact, a separate study among adults says that the development of certain cancers are among the long term detrimental effects of caffeine intake. One can only imagine what caffeine, coupled with sugar, does to the body of a child.
A couple of years ago, June Shannon -- mother of Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson a "Toddlers and Tiaras" contestant -- has been the subject of ridicule.
Shannon proudly shared on television how she concoct's "Go Go Juice" for Thompson during the latter's long pageant days. This is after Pixi Sticks (sugar-filled straws) failed to give Alana, then 6 years old, with the energy she needs during her pageants.
Go-Go Juice is composed of two ingredients - Red Bull and Mountain Dew.
