Kids and energy drinks

[Montague]

What is up with kids these days drinking all those energy drinks?  Seems like every kid I see is drinking Monster, Red Bull or something of that nature.  I've heard them say "cuz it tastes good"    I've seen them as young as 11-13 years old     

Do we really need kids more hyped up than they already are?

Your first post reads like you’re questioning the reason behind the youth energy drink fixation.
Overtly, this last post seems to ask a rhetorical question, but your ulterior motive almost seems to hint towards suggesting a solution.

So does her majesty have any propositions?
Something along the lines of caffeine regulation perhaps?

[Cindy]

Here is the article.http://www.nbc6.net/news/15578698/detail.html
 
4 Students Hospitalized After Consuming Energy Drinks
Students Took Drinks Before FCAT Exam
POSTED: 6:10 pm EDT March 12, 2008
UPDATED: 10:13 am EDT March 13, 2008


PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. -- Four students from the same South Florida school were rushed to the hospital after consuming energy drinks.

It happened on the same day that many students took their FCAT exams.

Three 14-year-old students and a 13-year-old from Pembroke Pines were recovering at Memorial Hospital West.
 

According to a father of one of the children, the students drank Redline Energy Drinks to help them be more alert for the FCAT.

The four male students in the eighth grade at Falcon Cove Middle School in Weston had to be rushed to the hospital.

"Increased heart rate, sweating, lightheadedness," said Broward County Sheriff's Fire Rescue representative Mike Jachles. "All four male students were transported to Memorial Regional Hospital."
A parent said he's upset that the drinks are available to young children.

"I'm very worried about that," said Harold Rivera.

Rivera said he was frightened to see his 14-year-old son in the emergency room, shaking with bloodshot eyes. He said he questioned his son on why he would take such a potent drink.

"He said, 'I want to clear my mind and energy on the test,'" Rivera said.

Rivera said his son could have died.

Redline is a heavily caffeinated drink that includes several warnings on the bottle, including, "Not Intended For Anyone Under The Age Of 18 Years."

Rivera said there should be stricter guidelines.

"Why sell that product? Why is it easy for that age of child to find that in the store?" he asked. "I told my son, 'Did you read that?' He said, 'No, I didn't read anything.'"

A representative for the Broward County School District said energy drinks aren't permitted on school grounds. He said the district is learning from lessons like this one.

All four children were expected to be OK and released from the hospital late Wednesday.

[DK II]

My favorite thing in the world when I was a child was coffee... I drank coffee from a very early age and used to make "coffee milk" all the time with instant coffee when I was young... like 5 or 6 years old.  I turned out OK so far....I think.   

I would worry less about the caffeine and much more about the other substances and stimulants in the energy drinks.  Yohimbine, etc. can be taxing on the heart over time, I would imagine...probably not a good idea to promote long-term use starting in children.

You guys have Yohimbine in energy drinks?

WTF?

[candidizzle]

You guys have Yohimbine in energy drinks?

WTF?

yeah REDLINE, REDLINE EXTREME, TIGHT, and i cant remember the names but a few others as well... 

[ripitupbaby]

You guys have Yohimbine in energy drinks?

WTF?

Here's the info on REDLINE.  It kind of scares me.   

Just recently VPX launched the technology of fat burning and energy enhancement into a new era with the introduction of Redline®. This freaky scientific breakthrough is the first physique-transforming matrix to coax your body to burn fat through the “shivering response.” It is a physiological fact that when you shiver, your body releases a large amount of stored body fat in an attempt to bring body temperature back to normal. Redline® induces this effect quite efficiently. However, the power of Redline® does not stop there, as its radical combination of novel ingredients will also have you sweating up a thermogenic storm, and thus burning fat through yet another unique mechanism. With this 1-2 fat melting punch, Redline® has rendered fat burners of the past obsolete! When it comes to energy, Redline® will “amp” you to the max within minutes, ready to tear apart the weights and wear out the treadmill like a tiger released from its cage!

Proprietary Blend    
Vitamin C
Caffeine Anyhdrous   
Evoburn   
N-acetyl-L-tyrosine   
Yerbe Mate   
Green Tea   
5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan   
Potassium  1
Vinpocetine   
Yohimbine HCL

And then it says this:
NOT FOR USE BY INDIVIDUALS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS. NOT OT USE IF PREGNANT OR NURSING. Consult a physician or licensed qualified health care professional before using this product if you have, or have a family history of, heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression or other psychiatric condition, glaucoma, difficulty in urinating, prostate enlargement, or seizure disorder, of if you are using a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or any other dietary supplement, prescription drug, or over-the-counter drug containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (ingredients found in certain allergy, asthma, cough or cold, and weight control products). Do not exceed recommended serving. Exceeding recommended serving may cause adverse health effects. Discontinue use and call a physician or licensed qualified health care professional immediately if or experience rapid heartbeat, dizziness, severe headache, shortness of breath, or other similar symptoms.

[Princess L]

Your first post reads like you’re questioning the reason behind the youth energy drink fixation.
Overtly, this last post seems to ask a rhetorical question, but your ulterior motive almost seems to hint towards suggesting a solution.

So does her majesty have any propositions?
Something along the lines of caffeine regulation perhaps?

Actually, I wasn't consciously going down that road.  However, considering that kids (the ones I’ve heard directly from) are drinking 2 – 3 a day, one can’t help but wonder what effect that is having on their development.  A basic cola or Mountain Dew has something like 35mg of caffeine per, whereas something like Monster has over 150mg per and Redline is off the charts.  Some of the clueless mothers out there I've spoke with say "at least they're not drinking all those sugary sodas"    Kids can't walk into a gas station and buy any of those energy tabs in those locked plastic cases (ie; NoDoz).  Maybe there should be some regulatory intervention 

[candidizzle]

Here's the info on REDLINE.  It kind of scares me.   

wimp... 

[Montague]

Actually, I wasn't consciously going down that road.  However, considering that kids (the ones I’ve heard directly from) are drinking 2 – 3 a day, one can’t help but wonder what effect that is having on their development.  A basic cola or Mountain Dew has something like 35mg of caffeine per, whereas something like Monster has over 150mg per and Redline is off the charts.  Some of the clueless mothers out there I've spoke with say "at least they're not drinking all those sugary sodas"    Kids can't walk into a gas station and buy any of those energy tabs in those locked plastic cases (ie; NoDoz).  Maybe there should be some regulatory intervention 

I’d thought about that. I’m usually steadfast against more regulation of anything. In this case, though, I feel that intervention is necessary; I simply don’t want to see it come from someplace like the government.

An age limit on purchasing products containing anything over a certain amount of caffeine may help some, but many 11-13 year olds are not the ones doing the household grocery shopping for the week. And a legal age limit on caffeine consumption is impractical because it is already in so many foods and drinks.

Then again, a posted age limit may alert parents as to the detrimental effects that excessive caffeine can have on young kids - or maybe I’m just naïve.

I don’t know what the answer is. All I do know is I don’t want some kind of policy that will force me to jump through the same hoops to get caffeine as when I have to purchase my damn Bronkaid.

[Cindy]

We used to own a Gas Station. In fact we were the first in the area to start selling Redline. (then again we also had a blender and sold Protein Shakes)
Anyways, we used to asked for ID when ever anyone bought Redline.

I think the disclaimer needs to be in larger print.

[Montague]

We used to own a Gas Station. In fact we were the first in the area to start selling Redline. (then again we also had a blender and sold Protein Shakes)

Nice! 

[DK II]

yeah REDLINE, REDLINE EXTREME, TIGHT, and i cant remember the names but a few others as well... 

That's ridiculous!

I wonder when you have the forst people dying after drinking a liter of the stuff and then working out.