Coffee and soda were once “all the rage” when it came to needing a quick fix. But these days, traditional caffeinated drinks have given way to a wildly popular craze. Energy drinks.
Drinks like Red Bull and Rockstar have become the focus of consumers looking for pep. These Big Boys claim to have the answer to everything from exhaustion to athletic stamina.
In fact, Red Bull sponsors well-known athletes like racer Bryce Menzies and snowboarder Travis Rice. And Rockstar sponsors a line of BMX racers, skiers, and surfers.
Sure, these captivating ads make drinks like these seem exotic and necessary. However, there’s a dark side to energy drinks. And that dark side can be translated to just one word: DANGER.
If there was a cautionary flag in the way of beverages, it would fly front and center on these seemingly innocent finds. Companies plaster health benefits like vitamins and herbal supplements across these drinks. Some are even labeled as “dietary supplements.” But these not-so-innocent finds can lead unknowing consumers straight to the hospital.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an alarming amount of emergency room visits has been seen as a result of energy drinks. And this number is on the rise.