Energy Drinks Should Be Banned In Schools And Colleges

An energy drink is meant to boost energy and alertness. When we feel down, we reach out to an energy drink. How many times have you reached out for a Red Bull to boost your energy? But what do energy drinks contain? They contain high caffeine levels and added sugars among other stimulants and addictive. Most energy drinks are recommended for adults. But most students use them anyway. The common reasons are increasing energy and performance. The problem is that research shows energy drinks are harmful to teens and young adults. So, what is the problem with energy drinks? If so, We need to answer the question? should energy drinks should be banned in schools and colleges?

Effects Of Energy Drinks On Students

Insomnia

Caffeine is a major ingredient in energy drinks. This means that energy drinks contain high doses of caffeine. Caffeine is known for sleep problems. When students take energy drinks, they are likely to have problems sleeping at night. People who take energy drinks daily report sleep disruption. What happens if you don’t sleep well at night? Your ability to function during the day is affected. You are more likely to sleep during the day. Allowing energy drinks in schools encourages students to take more drinks. The more they take, the higher doses of caffeine they take. This affects their sleep and eventually affects their studies.

More sugar

Energy drinks have excess sugar. A can have sugar equivalent to 6 sugar teaspoons. Most energy drinks have more sugar than recommended. The excess sugar has several negative effects on our bodies. First, when a student takes an energy drink, the blood sugar increases within a short time. This is not bad. Your brain needs glucose to function. But the refined sugar in energy drinks can be harmful. It increases sugar levels almost instantly. This leaves a sluggish feeling. This feeling worsens when the sugar levels go down. You feel even more tired. In such a condition, it is hard to focus and concentrate in class. Excess sugar is also associated with other negative effects on kids.

It suppresses the immune system leaving kids vulnerable to diseases.
It causes hyperactivity with a fast increase of adrenaline. This affects concentration levels.
It can cause diabetes. Excess sugar reduces insulin sensitivity. In response, the body releases more insulin which may cause diabetes. That means that any time a student takes an energy drink, they are increasing the risk of diabetes.
It affects the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory. This increases the risk of learning disabilities.

Regular headaches

When students take energy drinks, their bodies get used to certain caffeine levels. A reduction of these levels may give you a headache. Withdrawing from energy drinks becomes a problem. Most regular consumers of energy drinks report regular headaches. This experience can affect learning.

Inability to handle stress

People take energy drinks when under stressful situations. For example, when there is pressure to perform but one is tired. The problem is that excess sugar reduces the ability of the body to handle stress. Research shows that excess sugars can lead to the release of the stress hormone. This affects mental performance. Excess sugars also increase the risk of depression. Excess sugar causes an imbalance of brain chemicals. This can lead to depression.

Increased risk of alcohol consumption

Teens often mix energy drinks with alcohol. This means that students can take alcohol in school. one side effect is high-risk behaviors in school.

Negative effect on health

Consumption of energy drinks has negative effects on health, especially in kids. For example;

Firstly, it increases the heart rate. This is why regular energy drinkers have abnormal heart rhythms. This can even lead to a heart attack.
Secondly, it increases blood pressure that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Thirdly, it causes weight gain. This is because of the excess sugar. Students can become obese. Over-weight and obesity are known to increases the risk of various illnesses.

Should We Ban Energy Drinks In Schools?

Apart from water, the main ingredients of energy drinks are sugar and caffeine. The amount of sugar and caffeine exceeds the recommended levels. This means that consuming energy drinks leads to excess sugars and caffeine in the body. This is harmful to our bodies. When we allow energy drinks in schools, we encourage kids to take more of the harmful drinks. We increase the risk of them developing health problems. We also increase the risk of them performing poorly in academics. So, yes! we should ban energy drinks in schools and colleges.

Is Banning Energy Drinks In Schools Enough?

Banning energy drinks in schools is not enough. To reduce the effects of harmful drinks, strategies should be put in place. For example, there is a need for proper regulation. Enforce Laws to regulate the production of energy drinks. Enforcing a caffeine limit is ineffective. Regulating the energy drink industry is wise. The regulations should not just focus on caffeine and sugar levels. It should also focus on;

The marketing of energy drinks to children and should be restricted.
Manufacturers of energy drinks should report the adverse effects of their products. Parents should also participate in controlling the use of energy drinks.

They should ensure that kids know the risks of consuming energy drinks on their health and academics. Parents should also carefully monitor the use of these drinks. Some kids need monitoring to stop unhealthy behaviors.