Legal Drugs Such As Caffeine, Nicotine, And Alcohol Are Ofte

Legal Drugs Such As Caffeine Nicotine And Alcohol Are Often Viewed

Legal drugs, such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, are often viewed as safer than prescription and illegal drugs. In particular, caffeine is viewed as safe by many people as it is not regulated, unlike nicotine and alcohol. Many "energy drinks" on the market, such as Red Bull, Monster, and Rockstar, contain high levels of caffeine, some in excess of four times the amount of caffeine as is present in a cup of coffee. Additionally, some energy drinks contain herbals such as guarana and ginseng. Andre, a 15-year-old high school student, has joined the track team. His teammates suggest that he take an "energy drink" before practice to give him an "edge." Andre asks his mother to purchase some energy drinks for him the next time she goes to the store. Andre's mother is concerned about the safety of using these drinks, as she has heard that they contain a lot of caffeine. Using your textbook and the Argosy University online library resources, research the use of energy drinks by young people. Respond to the following: Are energy drinks safe for use by young people? What are the safety implications? Should the purchase of energy drinks be regulated? Why or why not? Write your initial response in 150–200 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Respond

Paper For Above instruction

Energy drinks have become increasingly popular among young people due to their perceived ability to boost energy and enhance athletic performance. However, the safety of these beverages for adolescents is highly questionable. Energy drinks often contain high levels of caffeine—sometimes exceeding 300 mg per can—along with additional herbal stimulants such as guarana and ginseng (Seifert et al., 2015). Excessive caffeine intake can lead to adverse health effects in adolescents, including increased heart rate, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and even more serious issues such as arrhythmias (Reissig, Strain, & Griffiths, 2009). Moreover, young people's bodies are still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to the negative effects of stimulants (Malina et al., 2019). The American Academy of Pediatrics (2011) strongly advises against the consumption of energy drinks among children and adolescents. Given these risks, regulation is necessary to restrict sales and marketing of energy drinks to minors, similar to regulations on alcohol and tobacco, to ensure their safety. Protecting young people's health should be a priority, hence regulatory oversight is justified to limit access and reduce consumption of these potentially harmful beverages.

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2011). Energy drinks: What is the appeal? Pediatrics, 127(5), 1012-1015.
• Malina, R. M., Bouchard, C., & Bar-Or, O. (2019). Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity. Human Kinetics.
• Reissig, C. J., Strain, E. C., & Griffiths, R. R. (2009). Caffeinated energy drinks—a growing problem. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 99(1-3), 1-10.
• Seifert, S. M., Schaechter, J. L., Hersh, A. L., & Scanlon, K. S. (2015). Energy drinks: A review of use and safety for adolescents. Pediatrics, 135(3), 498-507.