It’s growing, a flood rising up the levy and spilling over the banks. This torrent has taken the country by storm and there are no signs of letting up. Energy drinks are the fastest growing beverage category in the United States. Between June 2006 and June 2007, U.S. consumers spent $744 million on them, a 34 percent increase over the previous year according to the International Food Information Council. Many view energy drinks as a simple beverage alternative, however there are some potentially harmful aspects of these caustic concoctions.

“It’s really hard on your stomach and kidneys. All of the artificial ingredients eat at the lining of your stomach and it can really hurt someone with ulcers,” FHN fitness trainer Joe Bommarito said. “Like alcohol, it takes a long time to break down and as a result you can gain weight.”

The biggest drawing factor of energy drinks is right in the title: the energy. The fairy tale perspective that by simply drinking a drink enables boundless energy without consequence is often a misguided one. Although the abundance of caffeine in energy drinks (0-141 mg/serving) is linked to improved physical and mental performance, the consequences of caffeine consumption has been associated with increased heart rate, nausea, restlessness, anxiety, and tremors.

“It’s what the sugar and caffeine do to you,” Bommarito said. “For someone with heart issues we aren’t just talking about passing out, it could possibly kill you.”

According to a 2008 Brown University study, the biggest energy drink controversy stems from the fact that
the target consumers for the drinks are under the age of 30. With children and teens still growing, the caffeinated effects are cause for concern, especially where physical activity is concerned. Energy drinks should not be used while exercising or when undergoing extensive athletic activity as the combination of fluid loss from sweating and the diuretic quality of the caffeine can leave the user severely dehydrated. Also, since energy drinks are stimulants and alcohol is a depressant, the combination  of effects may be dangerous. The stimulant effects can mask how intoxicated someone is and prevent them from realizing how much alcohol has actually been consumed.

“If you’re an athlete you should drink water instead,” track member Loren Ingle said. “There’s also Gatorade since it replenishes you.”

With all of the beverage choices in the world, what it comes down to is being informed and responsible in choosing what to indulge in. There are other ways to get natural energy, like eating whole grains or having a balanced meal plan. A drink is not an endless fountain of energy; in the end there will always be that inevitable crash creeping around the corner.

“It doesn’t matter even if they say ‘all natural’ or ‘light,’” Bommarito said. “You will still crash and burn.”