I know that quiet a few of us has had an energy drink at least once. I can honestly say I never have. Most of these drinks are targeted to college students, and i've seen some target athletes. This is where my concern lays.

Energy drinks are loaded with caffeine, sugar, and some have herbal products such as ginseng, taurine,guarana which are also natural stimulants.

We all know that caffeine is a diuretic and leads to fluid loss, so when your drinking an energy drink your not only getting the caffeine, your also getting 3 other stimulants
as well. This is not good for athelets especially.

Once the athlete starts playing, they will start sweating more than usual due to the high
and the energy drinks will not replace fluids and nutrients lost.

Here are some warning signs of dehydration:

Early: thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness

Advance: increased hert rate and body temperature,decreased urinating and sweating, muscle cramps, nausea and tingling of extremeties.

Severe: vomiting, confusion, dim vision, and in really severe cases: seizures.

I've researched nutrition information for you so you can compare.:
1) Pepsi®: 25 mg caffeine per serving*; **100 calories 2) Starbucks® Espresso: 35 mg caffeine per serving (1 oz); 5 calories 3) Cocaine®: 280 mg caffeine per serving; 70 calories 4) Diesel®: 110 mg caffeine per serving; **110 calories 5) Pimp Juice®: 105 mg caffeine per serving; 140 calories 6) Red Bull®: 80 mg caffeine per serving; **110 calories 7) Rockstar®: 79 mg caffeine per serving; **110 calories

***********Based on 8 ounce serving*********************

So remember, stay hydrated

Melanie Nobbe, CDM,CFPP Owner, Love Your Heart Catering