If you are drinking a Monster energy drink while you are
reading this post, it could be your last drink.
Fox News has recently reported that there are 5 deaths linked to this
popular energy drink. The deaths have
been reported to be from heart attacks. One
survivor of a non-fatal heart attack has cited Monster energy drink as the
source of his illness. The FDA is
reportedly investigating these occurrences, which go back as far as 2004. The FDA is currently reporting that the
reports don’t necessarily prove that the drinks caused the deaths or
injuries. However, people are beginning
to take notice of what drinks they are consuming.
The story became public about the FDA’s search for the truth
about the deaths when parents of a 14-year-old Hagerstown girl, filed a
wrongful death suit in Riverside, California.
The girl passed away shortly after she drank two 24-ounce Monster energy
drinks. An autopsy performed on the girl showed the
cause of death as cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity. This impeded her heart from pumping
blood. Prior to the consumption of the
Monster energy drinks, the girl did suffer from an inherited disorder that can
weaken blood vessels. The girl’s parents
state that, “it [Monster[ failed to warn about the risks of drinking it’s
products.”
Monster Beverage Corp. refers to their energy drinks as
“killer energy brew” and “the meanest energy supplement on the planet.” They did not immediately respond to calls
about the lawsuit until last week. They
stated they were, “unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its
drinks.” Monster Beverage Corp.
currently puts labels on their drinks that warn that they are not recommended
for children or those who have caffeine sensitivity. Monster drinks popularity reached an all-time
high last year, but has plummeted since the news of the FDA’s
investigation. The Associated Press has
reported that the company’s shares have dropped 14.2% and now at about $45.73. The FDA is continuing its investigation into
the reported deaths and injuries. They
have subpoenaed energy drink makers, including Monster, as part of their state
wide investigation.
Energy drinks contain caffeine, a diuretic. The FDA currently puts a limit of caffeine in
soda at 0.02 percent. There is no such
limit on energy drinks. If you choose to
consume these products, do so cautiously.
Be careful not to become dehydrated and risk negative effects. Energy drinks contain between 2 and 3 times
the amount of caffeine in coffee.
Studies have shown that students who consume moderate amounts of
caffeine before participating in physical activity experience increased blood
pressure. Energy drinks are also loaded
with sugar and other herbal stimulants.
Doctors instead recommend salted pretzels and orange slices with water
to increase energy.
Adapted from:. The Racquette. “Dying for a buzz: energy
drinks that kill.” October 26, 2012.
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