Stressed college students frequently turn to energy drinks to help them get through exams. Some college students also use energy drinks to be able to stay up late and enjoy the party scene.  The Washington Post reported recently the results of a study of undergraduates at a large public university regarding energy drink use.  A total of 39 percent of students had consumed at least one energy drink in the month prior to taking the survey.  White students and young men consumed energy drinks at higher rates than others.

Unfortunately, energy drinks and shots can be very dangerous. Student accidents can occur when excessive intake of energy drinks results in overdose or other health complications. Masked fatigue may also increase the risks of a serious or fatal traffic collision. DeCarlo Law can help when a young person is injured by danger products or over-the-counter medications or nutritional supplements.

College Students Continue to Use Energy Drinks Despite the Dangers

While energy drinks barely existed 15 years ago, sales of energy drinks totaled more than $8 billion in 2012. This was a 15 percent increase from the year prior.  Red Bull sold more than a billion cans of energy drinks in 2012, and Monster sold more than 1.2 billion.  This means these top two leading brands sold every single American seven cans.

Energy drinks range from 5-Hour Energy Shots, which contain 1.93 ounces of liquid, to 32-ounce cans of Monster drinks.  Big companies like Starbucks also produce high-energy products, including canned espresso beverages.

Energy drinks generally contain between 2.5 and 35.7 milligrams of caffeine per ounce, while energy shots could have as much as 170 milligrams of caffeine per ounce.  In the average cup of coffee, by contrast, caffeine levels generally go up to 30 milligrams per ounce. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also limits the amount of caffeine in soft drinks to around 71 milligrams per 12-ounce can.

There are serious questions about whether consuming such large amounts of concentrated caffeine in energy drinks is safe for college students, even as the drinks are widely consumed.

Studies suggest that an adult can consume anywhere from 200 to 400 milligrams a day of caffeine total, while drinking more than 500 to 600 milligrams can cause caffeine intoxication.  Insomnia, irritability, increased heart rate and muscle tremors can result.  In some cases, caffeine overdoses can cause death.

The FDA has warned that consuming energy drinks when working out can reveal an unknown heart condition in an otherwise healthy person.  Combining energy drinks and alcohol, as many college students, do, can also be a deadly combination.  Energy drinks and alcohol are part of the subculture of partying on U.S. campuses, and marketers have heavily targeted their advertising to college students.  In fact, some companies that sell energy drinks have even hired outgoing students to promote their products in clubs and on college campuses. Drinking alcohol with energy drinks is a high-risk behavior.

College students who consume energy drinks and who are harmed as a result may be able to take legal action against the manufacturer.  An experienced attorney can help those harmed to pursue a claim for damages.

If you have been injured, contact DeCarlo Law today at 877-572-0065 or visit http://www.decarlolaw.com/ to schedule a consultation.