Energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster won’t just make your kid hyper, but a study back in 2011 put out by the University Of Miami School Of Medicine says energy drinks may “put some children at risk for adverse health events, especially those with diabetes, seizures, cardiac abnormalities or mood and behavior disorders.” The study also goes on to say that the drinks can cause seizures or even death if used excessively.
Energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit to children, or any person for that matter, and many people over-do stimulant beverages to stay awake, pull an all-nighter while studying or partying, or just to give them some sort of hopeless energy to get through the day. The sugar content, as well as stimulants added such as caffeine and guarana, are linked to numerous health problems, though if you choose to listen to Dr. Maureen Storey, senior vice president of science policy for the American Beverage Association, you may think this is all a bunch of bull (no relationship to Red Bull).
Who is Dr. Maureen Storey? Well, I personally had field-day learning about her after reading the recent UM report and her position on the matter with regards to our ABA. Maureen has worked for Kellogg Company where she worked on nutrition research and marketing. I can’t prove it, but I have strong feelings that she was in close with Tony the Tiger.
Maureen is also a strong proponent of high fructose corn syrup. Her quote — “I hope that our research helps dispel the urban myths that have gained momentum about high-fructose corn syrup.” She along with many powerful organizations have strong ties to our corn production. They know HFCS is linked to many health problems, from obesity to diabetes to even cancers, and they’re trying to change the name to “corn sugar” so we all feel just a little bit better about it.
How about another great Dr. Storey quote? In regards to a study linking sugar and soda to obesity she says, “Portion sizes have expanded dramatically and it is simply wrong to blame increases in obesity on food or beverages that contain carbohydrates.” Right, excess carbohydrates especially all the sugar people are consuming have no relationship, despite countless studies and anthropological evidence.
And the best for last as Maureen thinks that if you want to stay hydrated, then yes, water is the way to go, but why not get it in a tasty sweetened beverage? She says, “Soda is comprised mostly of water. A full-calorie soft drink has 90 percent water, and a diet soft drink is 99 percent water. Water is the most important nutrient that we have…” Further, “Of nutritional value, there is either high-fructose corn syrup or sucrose, and that does provide energy or carbohydrates. And if we are active and need a refreshing beverage after a nice, long walk or a run, you can have a beverage and quench your thirst and stay hydrated.” And then when she was asked if she was advocating a person consuming a whopping 22-34 grams of sugar in a beverage her response was, “Well, I don’t think it’s nutritionally unsound. There are some studies that show that particularly with children, children who have been exercising may not drink enough water to get back to the hydration point that they need to be at. So with a little bit of flavoring and a little bit of sweetness, they will drink enough, then, to get back to where they need to be.” Her video at the ABA can been seen here — she likes “beverages” for hydration since hey, they’ve got water in them.
Dr. Storey, you get the Dr. Gangemi “What Are You Thinking?” award. Congratulations. Are you on Cocaine? And by that I mean Cocaine the energy drink, of course.