Excessive amounts of caffeine-containing energy drinks can have serious consequences.

According to research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Pediatrics, as many as 30 to 50 percent of consumers drinking these energy beverages are children, adolescents and young adults. Excessive amounts of caffeine can cause jitters, anxiety, a rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, seizures and even death. There have been reports of middle-school-age consumers who had to be taken to a hospital with many of the above symptoms and a teenager who even died after consuming multiple servings of an energy drink. In fact, over 45 percent of the reported cases of caffeine overdose occur in individuals under the age of 19.

In addition to the caffeine, these energy drinks can also be infused with additional ingredients such as guarana, a plant that naturally contains caffeine, taurine (an amino acid that can act as a stimulant), herbs that can elevate your blood pressure, and tons of added sugar.

Collectively, soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks are the No. 1 source of added sugars in the diets of Americans. Even more concerning, these beverages are displacing more nutrient-rich beverages such as bone-strengthening, nonfat milk or sugar-free, plain water in their diet.

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