The effects of energy drinks on the body

FROM GULF COAST WEATHER. >> ALL RIGHT. THANKS, JIM. ENERGY DRINKS. THEY SEEM TO BE WHAT WE ALL RUN ON THESE DAYS AND THEY MAY HELP US KEEP AWAKE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE CRAZY WORK SCHEDULES LIKE, YOU WE DO HERE. BUT ASIDE FROM KEEPING US AWAKE AND ALERT, WHAT ARE THE OTHER EFFECTS OF THE ENERGY DRINKS ON OUR BODIES? WELL, THIS MORNING WE HAVE TRACY THORTON FIRMLY HEALTH WHO IS BREAKING IT ALL DOWN FOR US AND EXPLAINING PRETTY MUCH WHAT SHOULD KIND OF BE COMMON SENSE, RIGHT? YEAH MORNING. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. HAPPY TO BE HERE. >> ENERGY DRINKS. WE REALLY NEED TO BE READING THOSE NUTRITIONAL LABELS. >> AND THEY EVEN EXIST ON THE ENERGY LIKE THEY THEY DO IS THEIR NEW BUT CAN BE OKAY. SO WE’LL TALK ABOUT THAT. BUT >> MOST PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT THAT BOLD. >> PART OF THE NUTRITION LABEL AND THEY STOP READING. IF YOU KEEP READING TO THE FINE PRINT, IT ACTUALLY SAYS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18. INTERESTING. INTERESTING. I’VE NEVER LOOKED THAT FAR DOWN ON THE LABEL ON THERE. IT’S ON THERE. SO UNDER 18, THEY DON’T RECOMMEND ENERGY DRINKS BECAUSE KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 SHOULDN’T REALLY BE CONSUMING MORE THAN 100 MILLIGRAMS OF CAFFEINE. >> A DAY WHICH IS I THINK YOU SAID EARLIER WHEN WE WERE JUST CHATTING HERE, THAT’S ABOUT A COP, ONE CUP OF COFFEE. ONE CUP OF COFFEE IS THE EQUIVALENT. AND THAT’S NOT. >> A BIG MUG COFFEE. THAT’S REGULAR YES, REGULAR SIZED CUP BLACK COFFEE. SUGAR. NO KAREEM. NONEF IT IS 100 MILLIGRAMS. >> WOW. SO. >> OTHER THAN THAT, I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO ALSO CONSIDER WHAT YOU EAT. THERE’S CAFFEINE IN FOODS THAT WE EAT. THERE’S CAFFEINE AND CHOCOLATE, RIGHT? SO OUR KIDS. YOU KNOW, IF THEY’RE IN A BUNCH CANDY CHOCOLATE THAT’S OR SUGAR AND THEN ADD AN ENERGY DRINK OR 2 OR 3. AND SOME. YOU KNOW, LET’S BE HONEST. MORE THAN THAT’S A LOT OF CAFFEINE IN ONE DAY FOR CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 18. ABSOLUTELY. EVEN FOR. >> BIG KIDS OVER ALL ADULTS? YES, WE’VE ALL BEEN GUILTY OF HAVING ONE. YOU NEED THAT QUESTION KICK, ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING WHEN START THE SHOW AT 4.30, U KNOW, IF YOU DO YOU FEEL THAT THAT CRACKED YOU CRASH AND BURN? YOU DO THAT. AND THAT. AND THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS. YOU KNOW, OUR KIDS. I MEAN. WE CAN BE GREAT PARENTS. WE CAN BE PERFECT. PARENTS. THEY STAY UP LATE THEY’RE TIRED. THEY NEED A PICK ME UP. AS ADULTS. WE STAY UP LATE, ESPECIALLY WITH LIKE YOU SAID, A HEAVY WORKLOAD. SURE. WE NEED A PICK ME UP, RIGHT? SO AN ENERGY DRINK IS A QUICK GO TO. AND AND EVEN IN ADULTS, YOU SHOULD REALLY NOT HAVE ANY MORE THAN 400 MILLIGRAMS OF CAFFEINE A DAY. >> WHAT ARE SOME FOODS REAL QUICK THAT WE CAN SUBSTITUTE INSTEAD OF GRABBING AN ENERGY DRINK WE CAN OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, MY FIRST IS GOING TO I MISS A BREAK. >> THAT’S FIRST ALTERNATIVE. THERE ARE THINGS IF YOU DON’T REALLY LIKE TASTE OF WATER THAT YOU CAN PUT IN THEM. BUT READ IT RIGHT, BECAUSE IF YOU BUY A LEMONADE. LET’S GOT SUGAR AND UNDER-INSURED. SO YOU CAN KIND OF. THE SAME THING. BUT YEAH, THERE’S DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAPUT IN SMOOTHIES ARE GREAT. OKAY. YES, EVEN ROUTES. AND THAT’S MOST NATURAL SUGARS. YES, ALL OF THOSE THINGS. AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, IT’S PROVEN SCIENTIFICALLY THAT IF YOU EAT WELL. YOU’LL FEEL BETTER. YOU FEEL BETTER IF YOU SLEEP. WELL. SO BETTER. YOU WON’T NEED THAT EXTRA PICK. PICK ME UP. IT’S PEOPLE SAY THE RUNNER’S HIGH RIGHT? YOU DO IT, EVERYBODY. EVERYBODY’S HEARD OF THAT RIGHT? YOU RUN 5 MILES. I USED TO RUN 5 MILES A DAY. AND AFTERWARDS YOU FEEL GREAT. WITH AN ENERGY DRINK. YEAH, YOU’RE SO GREAT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN YOU’RE GOING TO CRASH AND BURN. HE PREDICTS THAT IN MINDESPECIALLY WITH THE HEAT THAT WE’RE EXPERIENCING. SO DON’T GRAB THAT ENERGY DRINK. >> BECAUSE THAT WILL DYDRATE YOU ITS THROUGHOUT THAT WATER. ENJOY A LITTLE LEMON IN THERE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN. WE APPRECIATE SONNY GRAY. I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE AND THANYOU FOR LETTING ME ABSOLUTELY KEEP EVERYBODY HEALTHY AN

Healthy Living: The effects of energy drinks on the body

Updated: 11:47 AM EDT Jul 23, 2025

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It seems that energy drinks are the only thing keeping us awake sometimes, and while they may be good for a pick-me-up once in a while, it’s best to avoid repeated use.On Wednesday, Tracey Thornton from Lee Health come into the Gulf Coast News studio to talk about some of the adverse effects of energy drinks.The drinks, which contain elevated amounts of caffeine and sugar, can spike blood pressure, increase heart rate, and even cause anxiety to be heightened. Despite the health consequences, energy drinks are very popular amongst teenagers and young adults, many of whom over-consume caffeine and may be causing long-term damage to their health.To learn more about some healthier alternatives to energy drinks, WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVEDOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more.

LEE COUNTY, Fla. —

It seems that energy drinks are the only thing keeping us awake sometimes, and while they may be good for a pick-me-up once in a while, it’s best to avoid repeated use.

On Wednesday, Tracey Thornton from Lee Health come into the Gulf Coast News studio to talk about some of the adverse effects of energy drinks.

The drinks, which contain elevated amounts of caffeine and sugar, can spike blood pressure, increase heart rate, and even cause anxiety to be heightened.

Despite the health consequences, energy drinks are very popular amongst teenagers and young adults, many of whom over-consume caffeine and may be causing long-term damage to their health.

To learn more about some healthier alternatives to energy drinks, WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more.