Energy Drink Companies Refuse To Enact Policies Protecting Children: Senate Study

Some of the nation’s largest beverage manufacturers have failed to enact certain policies that could protect minors from the potentially harmful effects of energy drinks, according to the findings of a recent report. 

A survey issued by U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass), titled “Buzz Kill,” indicates that many manufacturers are not following through on certain commitments they made not to target the nation’s youth with their advertising.

In 2013, Senators called on 17 energy drink makers to make voluntary agreements to follow certain guidelines concerning marketing and promotion of energy drink products to children under the age of 18.

The latest study, which tracks the industry’s progress in reaching those guidelines, was compiled by the staff of Senator Markey, in coordination with the staff of Senators Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn).

Health officials, parents and legislators alike are concerned about the potential health risks energy drinks may pose for young people, who commonly consumer large volumes of the highly caffeinated beverages.

The movement to protect the nation’s youth is facing resistance from a rapidly growing market, which has aggressively marketed to teens and young adults for years.
 

 

The energy drink market has grown 60% between 2008 to 2012, and is on track to becoming a $21 billion business by 2017. Energy drink sales reach more than $9 billion each year for people of ages 13 to 35. More than 30% of teens under 18 have admitted to regular consumption of energy drinks.

The group of senators received responses from 12 energy drink companies concerning those commitments. The companies included Red Bull, Monster Energy Company, Rockstar, Inc, Arizona Beverages USA, Celsius Inc, XYIENCE, The Coca-Cola Company, and Dr. Pepper Snapple Group.

Companies Reluctant To Commit

Overall, only one energy drink company, XYIENCE, committed to all specific measures concerning age restrictions and marketing proposed by the Senators in the 2013 letter. Those measures included labelling products as not intended for youth under 18, restricting advertising where more than 35% of the audience is under 18 years of age, restricting social media for children under 18, and avoiding featuring teens under 18 in ad campaigns.
 

Only four of 12 companies, Arizona, Celsius, XYIENCE, and Coca-Cola, committed to not market their energy drink products to youth.Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar and Dr. Pepper/Snapple declined to commit to this measure. These four companies make up more than 90% of the energy drink market. However, all the companies did agree not to market energy drinks to children under the age of 12.
 

All but one company agreed not to sell products in K-12 schools, however two would not commit to stopping their distributors and other partners from selling in schools. Six of 10 companies agreed to voluntarily report adverse events stemming from energy drink consumption to the FDA. Three companies said they would consider reporting the events, and one company completely refused.
 

Members of the American Beverage Association agreed to refrain from marketing energy drinks for rehydration or with electrolytes, similar to sports drinks. However, Monster, Rockstar and Coca-Cola, all members of the ABA, continue to market the drinks like sports drinks. This especially concerns health advocates because it can lead consumers to drink large quantities for energy drinks for rehydration, while consuming large amounts of caffeine.

A study published late last year found while energy drinks may often boost athletic performance in some athletes who consume the drinks, they also experienced increased insomnia, nervousness and other side effects.

The top four energy drink companies, Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar and Dr. Pepper, had major gaps in their commitments to protect teens from marketing campaigns.
 

In comparison, Arizona, Celsius, XYIENCE and SK Energy, demonstrated high commitments to implementing and following policies that would protect children from harmful advertising campaigns.

Most companies implemented some measures to discourage misuse of energy drinks, including product labelling of caffeine content, and warning against rapid or excessive consumption, or mixing with drugs or alcohol.

Research published last year in the medical journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research concluded mixing energy drinks with alcohol may give drinkers a greater urge to consume higher amounts of alcohol, causing those drinkers to have higher blood alcohol levels.

Another study published last year found that young children who consume energy drinks may face serious health risks, including seizures, heart problems, chest pain and erratic heart beats.

 

Article Source: http://www.aboutlawsuits.com/energy-drink-advertising-report-78422/

Photo Source: www.robertharding.com

Guys this issue of energy drink's advertising is not new and its still not too late for all, specially young children to control its intake.

 

 

6 Healthy & Effective Energy Drink Alternatives

6 Healthy & Effective Energy Drink Alternatives
 

It probably comes as no surprise that Americans love to consume unhealthy things—from energy drinks to junk food—but where do we draw the line? And when does it start to impact our day-to-day functions negatively? Furthermore, when does it start to impact our health and fitness goals negatively?

According to a health report conducted by Brown University: "Individual responses to caffeine vary, and these drinks should be treated carefully because of how powerful they are. Energy drinks' stimulating properties can boost the heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes to the point of palpitations), dehydrate the body, and, like other stimulants, prevent sleep."

The truth is, we all want explosive energy throughout the day. When we have more energy, we become more efficient, effective and ultimately feel like we can conquer anything. However, reaching for a natural source of energy over an energy drink won't leave you feeling dehydrated or at risk of an unhealthy heart rate. So next time your clients are tempted to reach for one of their favorite energy drinks, help them to consider other options.

Without further ado, let's explore a few energy drink alternatives you can share with your clients. 

Green juices and smoothies

Whether you are on the juicing bandwagon or not, there's no denying that it provides a number of vital benefits. In fact, according to Living Greens—a San Francisco–based juicing business—"[Juicing] rejuvenates the body mentally and physically." In fact, the juices it creates is designed to increase energy levels and mental clarity, strengthen the immune systems and even diminish pain. But your clients don't have to get juice delivered to their doors in order to reap the benefits. There are plenty of recipes available that specifically target our energy levels (in a good way). 

 

Healthy carbohydrates

Despite what your clients may have heard, carbohydrates are not the enemy—at least not all of them are. With the right carbohydrates—that is, not the white, refined carbohydrates—your clients can improve their energy levels and athletic performance. The best carbohydrates to reach for are whole grains, fresh figs, blueberries, sweet potatoes and bananas, just to name a few. 

Green tea

Just one cup of green tea can provide your body with antioxidants, which can reduce free radicals that can cause premature aging and diseases, such as cancer. Not to mention it does wonder to your endurance levels without the afternoon crash. 

Water

One of the most readily available sources of natural energy is water. As a rule of thumb, you want to be sure that your clients are consuming enough water. And while the eight glasses a day can be left up for debate, becoming dehydrated can leave us all feeling fatigued, especially during and after a workout. 

Daily vitamins 

If your clients find their energy levels declining in the afternoon they could be missing something. In fact, even a balanced diet can sometimes leave your client's lacking the right vitamins and minerals. Fish-oil capsules and vitamin B12 supplements are sufficient options for daily increased energy, as well as a number of other emotional and physical benefits. 

A stroll around the block

According to researchers at WebMD: " While it may seem as if moving about when you feel exhausted is the quickest route to feeling more exhausted, the opposite is true. Experts say that increasing physical activity—particularly walking—increases energy." So if your clients still aren't seeing results after that cup of green tea, encourage them to take a brisk walk on their lunch hour with a couple of colleagues. 

 

Article Source: http://www.afpafitness.com/blog/energy-drink-alternatives

Photo Source: www.robertharding.com

So guys leave all ineffective stuffs and consume these above mentioned health and effective drink alternatives.

 

Negative & Positive Effects on People Who Drink Energy Drinks

Negative & Positive Effects on People Who Drink Energy Drinks

 

Energy drinks have become increasingly popular since they were first introduced into the European market in 1987 and then in the U.S. about 10 years later. Manufacturers of these products claim to increase energy, endurance, burn fat and improve athletic performance. The medical community has begun to question the amount of sugars, and safety of caffeine levels and other supplements in these beverages.

Caffeine

Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine, at 80 to 500 mg per can when compared to 65 to 100 mg for a cup of coffee. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and diuretic. Three cups of coffee -- about 3 -- offer a maximum recommended daily amount of 250 mg of caffeine. Another ingredient often found in these types of drinks is guarana seed extract, from a plant that is native to the Amazon. Guarana is high in caffeine content.
 

 

Positive Effects

Caffeine is the main supplement in most energy drinks. It is an appetite suppressant, and has been used effectively in the treatment of migraine headaches and to combat short-term drowsiness and fatigue. According to a UC Davis publication, Guarana has been scientifically linked to increased energy, appetite suppression and athletic performance enhancement.

Negative Effects

Caffeine or guarana consumption can result in increased heart rate, sleeplessness, nausea, anxiety, depression, nervousness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythms -- arrhythmia and late-term miscarriage. Some drugs can interact with either supplement and should be considered prior to consuming energy drinks. A study by the American Heart Association showed significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure with energy drink consumption during sedentary activities. A concern was raised that combining energy drinks with higher levels of physical activity could pose a risk for people with high blood pressure or heart disease.
 

 

Safe Energy Drink Consumption

While the FDA has set a caffeine maximum level at 71 mg for a 12-oz. soda, According to "The Journal of The American Medical Association," it has not set maximums for energy drinks. Further studies on caffeine’s effects are under way with many medical organizations advising adults to consume energy drinks in moderation; and for children and teens to abstain altogether until their safety can be established. New studies have also been concerned with alcohol-based cocktails that include energy drinks. A study published in the February 2011 issue of "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research" indicates that energy drink-laced cocktails spur continued alcohol consumption because of the stimulating effects of these beverages.

 

Article Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/379597-negative-positive-effects-on-people-who-drink-energy-drinks/

Photo Source:  www.robertharding.com


Hey guys what do you feel about daily consumption of energy drinks?