Beware of Energy Drinks!

This is worth reading just so you know what your kids/g'kids are drinking! I didn’t pay this much attention at first but the more I thought about it,the more I saw how it can be relevant.

When you look at the explanation on the slides you realize that an if you are in a hurry or need a pick-me-up, there is the potential to stop off at the local convenience store and purchase an energy drink. This energy drink could basically be a can of malt liquor. Be cautious about what you are buying or what your children may buy.

The info came from work but applies to all. I've edited out the work specific info.

Alcohol In Energy Drinks
A Growing Concern Among Parents and Employers

The Problem: Public health and safety officials have become alarmed by the newest entry into the world of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic energy drinks are prepackaged beverages that contain not only alcohol but also caffeine and other stimulants.

What's In These Drinks?

• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits caffeine to 65 milligrams per serving of a food or beverage.
• Energy drinks are currently not regulated by the FDA. Some can contain as much as 300 milligrams of caffeine in a single serving.
• And then add alcohol to ALL that caffeine?
  
  

At 23½ ounces and 9.9 percent alcohol, a single can of Joose is the equivalent of three beers and eight cups of coffee.



Why Is It So Dangerous?

• Since energy drinks are stimulants and alcohol is a depressant, the combination of effects can be dangerous.
• Fatigue is one of the ways the body normally tells someone that they've had enough alcohol to drink. Since these energy drinks also contain a stimulant (caffeine), the effects are masked so you may not realize how much alcohol you have consumed.
• Alcohol and caffeine are very dehydrating which can hinder your body's ability to metabolize the alcohol.
• This could increase the toxicity and symptoms during the next day.
• Dehydration when working in hot environments can also increase the risk of heat related illnesses.
• The stimulant effect can give the person the impression they aren't impaired. No matter how alert you feel, the alcohol in the drink will raise your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) just like having alcoholic drinks.
• Once the stimulant effect wears off, the depressant effects of the alcohol will remain. Serious alcohol induced sickness can occur such as vomiting while asleep or respiratory depression.
  

Alcoholic Energy Drinks Even Look Like Regular Energy Drinks

This new line of alcoholic beverage product is extremely similar in look to the popular energy drinks that contain no alcohol.

• Clerks and retailers may not be able to differentiate between nonalcoholic and alcoholic beverages being sold.
  

Can You Tell the Difference?

Which of these have alcohol in them?



How’d You Do?

• If you chose Sparks, Charge and Tilt, you are correct.

• If not, lets discuss how you can better identify the different types.

Examining the Container

• If you are suspicious of someone drinking an energy drink containing alcohol, check the container.
• Any alcoholic drinks are required to show the Alcohol Volume (ALC VOL) on the can/bottle.
• In this case, Sparks Energy drinks contain 6.0% ALC VOL.
  
  

Raise Awareness

• It is up to us (those that are aware) to ensure...

underage kids aren’t buying these alcoholic drinks,
and that retailers aren’t selling these drinks to them.

• Don’t let the labels fool you. These drinks are not as harmless as they appear.