It was going to be another one of those nights. Already 1:30 in the morning, my eyes struggling to stay open with books and papers scattered everywhere, I felt the onset of a crash coming on. I was in need of another drink.
I had been here before. Hopped up on sucrose, glucose, sodium citrate, taurine, glucuronolactone and, of course, caffeine, I was confident with my chances.
And we've all done this before. Red Bull, Monster and Rockstar alike, we here in college thrive off them. They seem to have created a culture among youths and your everyday procrastinator type.
I mean, hell, this article was written thanks to a Red Bull. The culture coexists with the increasing American desire of instantaneous gratification. Things are done at all hours at all times and as quickly as possible. And to think they used to drink coffee!
One of the more interesting results of this culture is the parody that took place. Red Bull's actually been around for a while; created in Thailand, it eased into the global economy before being grabbed by the American one. And as always in the land of opportunity, what works for one can usually work for another: Rockstar, Monster and Kronic, to name a few. But not always, as many fail to make their mark in the energy drink boom.
This culture has extended into the bar and alcohol scenes, prompting controversy as any idiots will tell you that taking things that make you go up and make you go down probably isn't your best bet. This deserves the most criticism, as the already conceived side effects of alcohol literally mix with the perceived side effects of energy drinks.
I, as a consumer, don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with these drinks themselves. Though I fear I may be biting my tongue (in essence) at this statement, we, the consumers, know the risks and possible side effects involved in these energy drinks, right?
Collectively, there seems to be a sense that something that gives you a megaton of energy all at once (and isn't illegal) can't be natural. However, most of us don't need to worry about the possible heart problems involved with the extensive amounts of caffeine or guarana. Quite similarly, the issue of diabetes, while more common, still remains out of the general perception.
Of course, that may be only a matter of time.
There should probably be some more regulation on energy drinks. This is seen abroad and is necessarily for two reasons: First and often ignored, these energy drinks are worst when used not with alcohol, but with physical activity. That's where a lot of people have died.
Unlike other energy drinks such as Gatorade, electrolytes are not harnessed by the body from these drinks in order to create energy. In addition, while the base of these drinks is carbonated water, energy drinks actually dehydrate. The strain put on the heart only furthers the dangers, as the combination is severe and sometimes unforgiving.
Secondly is the combination of alcohol products. It's just not safe.
People that shouldn't be able to stand, can, and despite the initial thought of that being a good thing, it's not. Obviously, the strain alcohol puts on the heart is similar to that of physical activities, as well as the dehydration dangers involved in this combination. Though it pains me to say, in all honesty, bars owners, who have a real and legal responsibility, should consider disallowing the heavy combination of these drinks at their facilities.
Energy drinks do have their purpose though. I live off them, and there's a chance if you're reading this paper in the morning, you're drinking one right now. The regulation of the sale of these products seems unlikely and unnecessary. Soda could end up being a worse enemy in the long run anyway.
But that's a risk for the consumers to decide for themselves.
Josh can be reached by e-mail at: josh.spivack@asu.edu.
