Energy Drink Persuasive Speech

Lately there’s been alot of controversy surrounding energy drink. Why are teens drinking them? Why are they considered unhealthy? What are the bad effects? Today, i’m going to tell you. Energy drinks have been around since the 80s, when the first one was released. The amount of drinks sold only begins to grow, with a majority being purchased by teens. Energy drinks are unhealthy because of the high caffeine levels and can cause addiction to caffeine. Teens are drinking them because they want what what is promised, energy.

First, we’re going to discuss what makes energy drinks so attractive to teens and young adults. The first, and most obvious, reason is that energy drinks taste good. They are loaded with sugar and contain up to a quarter

cup per a can. But anyone can drink a drink because it tastes good, why is it that the most energy drinks are purchased by teens? Well, in a recent survey of American high-school athletes, 32% reported drinking energy drinks. Of that 32%, 13% we’re urged by their coaches. The rest only wanted to improve athletic performance. If their coach tells them to drink sports drinks, the athletes will reach for an energy drink, because energy drinks tend to be sold near sports drinks, like Gatorade. The two are thought to be interchangeable, while the truth is, they're not. Sports drinks contain little to no caffeine, while the average energy drink contains more than 3/4ths of what’s considered the “safe” amount in just one can. The second reason teens want to reach for an energy drink is that school is very demanding. If you don’t start your work as soon as you get home, you’ve got a late night ahead of you. Energy drinks give you energy to stay awake and study a test. If you need to take a test or to stay awake during a game, why wouldn’t energy be considered a good thing? Well, energy drinks give you energy by loading you with caffeine. Caffeine may keep you awake during a test, but you probably won’t get the grade you were looking for. A recent study in Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology gave varying amounts of caffeine, including none, to college students and had them play a game involving blinking lights. Those given more caffeine responded quicker, but those given none responded more accurately. In conclusion, teens want to drink energy drinks because they are told it will help keep them awake, perform better, and they taste good. While it might keep you awake, the consequences really aren’t worth it.
Alot of people won’t stop doing something unless the bad effect is long term and far off, it takes something immediate to really make them quit.

The first immediate effects of drinking energy drinks are physical. This includes jitters, nervousness, upset stomach, headaches, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and frequent urination. The thing is, any caffeinated drink can cause these effects. Energy drinks side effects are more severe due to the excessive amounts of caffeine. As I previously mentioned, energy drinks are loaded with caffeine. Too much caffeine can cause the jitters you get from energy drinks. An amino acid referred to as L-carnitine has been noted to cause headaches, stomach aches and nausea when given more than the safe amount. This amino acid is commonly found in energy drinks. The second immediate effects of drinking energy drinks are phycological. In a recent study published by Journal of Addiction Medicine, it was noticed that kids who drink energy drinks are more susceptible to trying drugs and alcohol in the 30 days after consumption of the energy drinks. Energy drinks are addictive, don’t get me wrong. It isn’t correct to think that because you could handle an energy drink, you can handle other things, even though they aren’t similar. They are both addicting though, which is my third and final side effect. The sugar in the energy drinks, while very unhealthy, makes the drinks very addicting. Caffeine is also considered a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system, causing increased alertness. Caffeine gives people an increased energy boost and elevates mood. The excessive amounts of caffeine start an addiction in the young people energy drinks are available too. In conclusion, energy drinks are addictive and can make you feel

sick.

Energy drinks also have some bad long term effects that will make you think twice before picking one up. We already know that there is excessive amounts of caffeine in energy drinks, but what you might not already know is that caffeine is one of the most addictive substances on earth. While you may not realize it, if you consume caffeine regulary your body will become dependent on it and it will be harder to focus and concentrate on your daily tasks. As I previously metioned, caffeine is considered a drug and it will lead to an addiction. This applies spefically to teens because they are staying up late and will want something to keep them awake, and that want will soon become a need. The amount of sugar and caffeine in an energy drink will also cause a rapid heart rate and an overall unhealthy heart. They can also raise blood pressure. So, the amount of caffeine in energy drinks can cause dependence on them and that can lead to an unhealthy heart rate and blood pressure.

In conclusion, teens are drinking energy drinks because they believe that the drinks will help them perform better, whether it be for a sport or schoolwork. This is unjustified because energy drinks have unhealthy and borderline unsafe amounts of caffeine and sugar. I have not had much personal experience with energy drinks, I’ve actually never had one. My brother, however, is an avid drinker of energy drinks, specifically Monsters. My mom has done research on this topic before and informed him of the dangers . It should be noted that mom gave him the extreme “You will die if you drink this” talk, because she’s a mom. Using my newfound information and facts, I will explain to him the danger of these and tell him that they’re are healthier and safer ways to keep up your energy. I will not be trying energy drinks anytime soon, likely never.