AMA Calls for Ban Energy Drinks for Kids
By now we have all heard about the dangers of energy drinks and how there have been a number of deaths in which doctors or parents believe that the drinks played at least a role in their suffering and death. A number of lawsuits have been filed trying to prove that these fatalities are connected with the drinks, and as more and more research is being done doctors are finding that the dangers are in fact very real.
On Tuesday, the American Medical Association told the public that they are taking a stand against children consuming these dangerous products.
They are currently supporting a ban against the marketing of any form of energy drink to people under the age of 18 years old. The main force of the ban is addressing the very real concerns with its connections to heart problems and a host of other health concerns as well. They address the fact that these drinks contained extremely high amounts of caffeine which is known to cause excessive strains on the heart of a young person.
The doctors together are fighting to prove that the companies should not be allowed to market these products to adolescents because of the risks that are widely known. Dr. Alexander Ding, an AMA board member claims that it is their responsibility to protect the health of the children in our country and it is simply common sense to not have energy drinks marketed directly to them.
Sadly, adolescents are not the only ones who are susceptible to the consumption of these energy stimulants. Both high school and college students are known for consuming them in order to accomplish the strenuous task of studying while trying to balance a social life at the same time. And after continual nights of little or no sleep, energy drinks are geared directly to help those people in need of a boost.
One of the current investigations that are ongoing are for the Monster Beverage’s which are believed to be associated with five deaths over the past few years. The Food and Drug Administration is currently looking into these reports to determine whether or not this is the cause.
Sadly, the American Beverage Association does not agree with the efforts that are being made by the AMA as they continue to argue that their energy drinks only contain half of the amount of caffeine as a normal cup of black coffee does. However, it is not just the fact that there is caffeine, but caffeine mixed with a host of chemicals that stimulate the consumer more than the average cup of coffee that is causes concern.