Energy Drinks Product Liability: Philadelphia Injury Lawyer Discusses the Danger of Energy Drinks
Data from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that energy drinks have led to a surge in emergency room visits. The caffeinated drinks caused the number of ER visits associated with consumption of the beverages to double between 2007 and 2011.
Most admitted to the emergency room are between the ages of 18 and 25. The next largest group was those between 26 and 39. ER visits by those older than 40 increased by a massive 279 percent during those four years, from 1,400 to 5,200 ER.
Data showed that while a little over 40% of the ER visits involved energy drinks mixed with other substances, the majority, 58%, were for energy drinks alone.
The problem with energy drinks is the vast amount of caffeine and other stimulants contained in the beverages. Some energy drinks can have 10 times the amount of caffeine found in a can of soda. Caffeine acts as a stimulant to both the cardiovascular and central nervous system. This means that the drinks can cause a major increase in heart rates and drive up blood pressure to dangerous levels in certain cases. According to one cardiologist, for those with underlying heart conditions, the drinks can be deadly.
Energy drinks have been linked to as many as 18 deaths. Reports about the dangers of the energy drinks have sparked calls for a thorough investigation by the FDA. In the meantime, consumers need to be aware of the health risks associated with the drinks.