Student: Makayla Seeram
Advisor: Dr. Khalid Almasloukh
Energy drinks are beverages marketed for their alleged enhancement of focus and attention, however, their consumption among adolescents is evolving into a dangerous social norm and a profound threat to their cardiovascular health. This study evaluated the cardiovascular risks of energy drinks versus the cardiovascular benefits of coffee and tea to provide two healthier alternatives. An advanced search on PubMed and IMR Press provided quantitative data indicating the cardiovascular risks of frequent energy drink consumption and the cardiovascular benefits of coffee and tea. The findings revealed that frequent energy drink consumption within the adolescent population has led to the most common etiologies of arrhythmias and fatal myocardial infarctions. In contrast, the beneficial consumption of coffee and tea has reduced atherosclerosis due to the anti-inflammatory properties of these beverages. Nurses can advocate by instituting campaigns within the school setting to educate adolescents on the adverse effects of energy drinks and to suggest healthier alternatives. Nurses may also advocate for future research on this topic.
Keywords: energy drinks, cardiovascular risks, coffee, tea, cardiovascular benefits