Assignment 2

Stress in Society Causes an Increased Energy Drink Consumption among Teenagers

During the last few years, a rapid increase of energy drink consumption has been noted. This increase appears most commonly, and perhaps most surprisingly, among teenagers. Naturally the popularity is not only found among younger people, though it has definitely caused a greater concern among parents than the energy drink consumption among adults have. What causes are behind this sudden consumption increase, and is it really surprising that it is most popular among teenagers?

A great many teenagers say they use energy drinks as they make them feel more mentally alert, which is a rather strong proof of the fact that the modern society has a stress level that is unacceptable. When the demands and the stress in a teenager’s weekday have reached such high levels that he or she needs the energy boost from a high-caffeine beverage to stay awake during a lecture or manage the pressure when for instance writing an essay exam, the blame certainly cannot be directed to them. It is society that bears the blame, because along with the increase of stress and demands of performance in society, goes the increase in popularity of energy drinks. There is nothing surprising about that.

Another reason for the teen usage of an energy drink is the obvious fact that being forbidden to do something only makes it more attractive. Therefore it is very important for concerned parents to tell their children about the risks of using drinks with high contents of caffeine. Research has found that an intake of over 100 mg of caffeine per day can cause anxiety, dizziness, headaches and also the jitters. The sleep cycle is also at risk of being disturbed, and most of all, consuming much caffeine results in addiction.

Red Bull and Monster are examples of top-selling companies producing energy drinks, and these companies know their young costomers extremely well. Their advertising is built on promises of weight loss and increased endurance, obviously in connection to exercising and sports. Naturally, this seems very attractive for teenagers, and thereby they purchase more of the products. Unfortunately, energy drinks contain high levels of both caffeine and sugar, and could not possibly increase a person’s endurance or in any case be useful when exercising.

In September last year, two Swedish store chains, namely Pressbyrån and Seven Eleven, introduced an age-limit of 15 years old for the consumption of energy drinks. This decision may have been a good idea, if we consider that research has proved the dangerous consequences of consuming these boosting liquids, though we also have to keep in mind that it is society, hence adults, who stand behind this unhealthy habit.