The sight of bright colored energy drinks in the hands of teens is becoming an increasingly common sight.
With this rise, many are quick to judge teens for consuming the highly caffeinated drinks.
But what they don’t see is the busy lives high school students live.
Between schoolwork, long practices, and busy social lives, teens have a lot to manage.
The constant pressure can leave them feeling drained and in need of an energy boost.
So when energy drinks offer to lighten the load, many don’t hesitate to grab one.
Among them is Sophomore Briquel Monroe, who relies on energy drinks to get her through the day.
“If I don’t have one, I will be exhausted the entire day, and I’ll kind of start falling asleep in classes,” said Monroe.
Monroe’s busy schedule hinders her sleep, making her rely on energy drinks in order to stay alert.
An Alani, Monroe’s energy drink of choice with 200mg of caffeine, delivers the boost she needs.
However, with a high caffeine content comes health risks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children between 12 and 18 should limit their caffeine intake to 100mg per day.
Consuming more than the recommended amount of caffeine may result in sleep disturbances and dehydration, as well as higher-risk health problems such as heart failure and seizures.
Side effects, such as jitters and difficulty falling asleep are often seen in teens.
Those quick to judge energy drink consuming teens should also keep in mind that the marketing of energy drinks plays a large role in the scheme of things.
Energy drinks come in a variety of candy-like and fruity flavors, targeted for younger audiences.
Additionally, with an average price of $3, energy drinks are less expensive than other caffeinated beverages, such as a Starbucks coffee which costs around $6.
These benefits are not coincidences– they are strategically designed to target young adults.
Yet, students like Junior Bryanna Zapien continue to consume energy drinks due to its benefits.
“I saw a drastic change in my test scores freshman year when I started drinking energy drinks,” said Zapien.
Zapien explained that the caffeine helps her concentrate when studying, ultimately resulting in a higher academic performance.
Zapien’s positive experience with energy drinks is obviously shared with many other Slope students due to the common sight of energy drinks on campus.
While consuming energy drinks may not be the best for teens’ health in the long run, they provide a short term solution for teens’ busy lives.
As Monroe puts it, “It’s kind of like weighing your options. Do you want to be tired the entire day and not get through your classes? Or have a minor side effect and get rid of [the fatigue]?”