Originally published January 1 2006
Medical authorities warn about children's addiction to caffeinated energy drinks
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Roland Griffiths, a professor of behavioral biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, talks about how heavy doses of sugar and caffeine from energy drinks can easily create a dependency in young people, but the ethical and health considerations of this problem remain unacknowledged by the beverage industry.
Caffeinated energy drinks have become the $93 billion domestic beverage industry's fastest-growing sector, raising health concerns among some, according to The New York Times.
Sales of energy drinks, which sell for $2 to $3 a can, have grown a torrid 61 percent this year in the U.S., according to Beverage Digest.
Energy drinks, which have become a $3 billion business since their introduction in the U.S. eight years ago, are expected to accelerate profit growth for the beverage industry more than any other drink category in the next few years.
But that has scientists and nutritionists worried.
Energy drinks have as much sugar and roughly three times the caffeine of soda, and some experts peg their popularity to their addictiveness.
And with racy names like Full Throttle, Rockstar and Adrenaline Rush, critics say these drinks are fostering caffeine addiction among teenagers.
Roland Griffiths, a professor of behavioral biology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says the amount of caffeine necessary to produce dependency and withdrawal symptoms is about 100 milligrams a day.
A can of energy drink has 80 to 160 milligrams, depending on the size, though such information is not listed on any cans.
An eight-ounce cup of coffee typically has 100 to 150 milligrams.
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