Many kids and adults drink energy drinks because they believe the drinks will give them a quick boost. However, energy drinks can also come with health risks, especially for young people. I believe kids should avoid energy drinks because they can be unhealthy, expensive, and risky before sports or physical activity.

Energy drinks usually give people a temporary boost of energy, alertness, and physical endurance. Some people see this as a benefit because it can help them feel more awake during the day. However, that energy does not last forever, and the crash afterward can leave people feeling even more tired.

There are also several downsides to energy drinks. Many contain high amounts of caffeine, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. Too much caffeine can affect your body and mind by increasing your heart rate, raising blood pressure, and possibly making anxiety or stress worse. Energy drinks can also lead to dehydration, especially if someone drinks them before playing sports.

Some people wonder if energy drinks are good before a game or workout, but that is not a good idea. Drinking energy drinks before sports can cause dehydration, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and extra strain on the heart.

Coffee is often considered a better choice than energy drinks because it usually has fewer added ingredients and can provide a more steady source of energy. However, even coffee should be used carefully, especially by kids and teens.

Avoiding energy drinks may help people make healthier choices in the long run. While not drinking energy drinks does not guarantee that someone will live longer, it can reduce some health risks connected to too much caffeine and sugar.

Students at O. Henry shared similar concerns about energy drinks.

Haley Decareau said, “They’re bad for your health.”

Josie Rocha said, “They have too much caffeine.”

Addie Jewett said, “They can be unhealthy and have a lot of sugar.”

Avery Chamberlin said, “They can be expensive.”

Esai Quintero added, “They aren’t healthy for your gut.”

Overall, energy drinks may seem helpful at first, but the risks can outweigh the benefits. Because of the caffeine, sugar, cost, and possible health effects, kids should think carefully before drinking them.