Energy drinks and alcohol, a dangerous combo

The newest rage among college students and teens is mixing energy drinks with alcohol, a potentially dangerous combination, says a US Ball State University researcher.

Mixing powerful stimulants contained in some energy drinks with depressants in alcohol could cause cardiopulmonary or cardiovascular failures, said David Pearson, a researcher in the Human Performance Laboratory.

"It is scary to think that these energy drinks are being used as a mixer with vodka and whiskey," he said.

"You are just overloading the body with heavy stimulants and heavy depressants."

Pearson, coordinator of exercise science programs, is the author of "Ask Dr. Dave," a column for MH-18 magazine and MH-18.com, its online version.

The publications are a spin-off of Men's Health from Rodale Press and are aimed at male teens.

"I think we are going down the same road as when people drink alcohol and ingest ecstasy and other types of designer drugs," he said.

"Some people physically cannot take the combination."

Energy drinks are the latest popular fad among America's youth culture.

With names like Venom, Whoopass, Red Bull and Adrenaline Rush, energy drinks are being sold by the millions to people looking for a quick boost of energy.

Most energy drinks contain large doses of caffeine and other legal stimulants including ephedrine, guarana, taurine and ginseng.

Such drinks are being marketed to people 30 and younger.

According to Pearson, little research has been done to determine if energy drinks are helpful or harmful.

The NCAA and some professional sports leagues have banned such stimulants, Pearson said.

"There is a feeling of empowerment after a person drinks one of these," Pearson said.

"It is a real big wallop of legal stimulants.

The effects can last up to 12 hours.

"Because they are legal and sold over the counter just like cans of pop, kids who have been raised on caffeine-based drinks think they are perfectly fine," he said.

"We are just now learning the negative effects of caffeine on the human body.

We believe it may cause a decline in the body's immune system."