Flash and Crash: How energy drinks affect children and adolescents

It’s back to school season, which means America’s students are back to studying. And some kids are turning to energy drinks to handle their workload.

But energy drinks aren’t the same as your morning cup of coffee. In one serving, there’s way more caffeine and other ingredients to enhance the “energizing” effect. But that’s nothing new. They’ve been around for years, with flashy branding and the promise of a quick jolt of activity. But they might not be the healthiest option for those of us whose bodies are just beginning to develop. LTC Eugene Chu Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Maj Kim Patterson MAJ Ken Landgren Maj (Join to see) CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana MSgt Steve Sweeney MSG Stan Hutchison MSgt Michael Bischoff SSgt Richard Kensinger SFC Jo Ann Klawitter 1SG (Join to see) SP5 Dennis Loberger A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney SGT Charlie Lee CPL LaForest Gray SrA John Monette