Energy Drink Dilemma; Safe or Unsafe?

Looking for that extra boost of energy in the morning or trying to keep the tiring day going at the office? You might want to think twice when it comes to sipping on the caffeine.

Experts say energy drinks contain up to 3 times as much caffeine as a regular can of caffeinated pop. For those who drink more than just one or two energy drinks a day, Muskingum County Health Department’s Dr. Vicki Whitacre has an eye opening statistic to share.

"If you’re going to drink three of them, then you’re drinking the equivalent of nine to ten sodas at once and that’s a lot of caffeine," said Whitacre.

That amount of caffeine can pose substantial health risks to people young and old. Even worse beverages to drink are alcoholic energy drinks.

"You’re stimulating your heart, your putting more stress on your body, increasing risk for dehydration. People who have seizures or hypertension or heart disease, or unknown underlying heart disease could have a significant reaction in terms of going into heart failure or dying," said Whitacre.

Dr. Whitacre says children should have no more than 100 milligrams and adults should have no more than 400 milligrams a day.