LAMPASAS, Texas (KWTX) – In recent years energy drinks like Red Bull and Celsius have soared in popularity, especially among teenagers and young adults. However, medical experts say these drinks can pose a significant health concern.
Earlier this month Lampasas ISD announced a ban on energy drinks at all of its campuses, joining at least one other Central Texas school district that has already taken the same step over concerns about the beverages’ effects on student health.
Districts act on health concerns
“What we initiated was an effort to try and curtail the large number of energy drinks children are using and abusing to be honest with you,” said Lampasas ISD Superintendent Chane Rascoe.
The push came from the district’s Health Services Director Krista Ellis, who said she observed the effects on students firsthand.
“We noticed in our clinics an increase of students visiting for anxiety,” Ellis explained. “They were having jitteriness or they were complaining of chest palpitations or chest discomfort.”
After conducting her own research, Ellis said she identified additional health risks associated with energy drinks.
“The irritability, the cardiovascular impacts to the heart long-term, the sleep impairments, the risk of dehydration,” she recalled.
Ellis then approached the district about an energy drink ban. “My job is not to react, it’s to be preventative and to have a plan in place,” she said.
McGregor ISD acted last December
McGregor ISD Superintendent Travis Mutscher says his district banned energy drinks last December after reviewing their impact on students.
“When I looked at the negative impact that it had on students’ health, especially teens as their bodies are still growing, their brain still developing… I knew that it was something we needed to look into,” Mutscher said.
Mutscher says so far the response has been good, hopeful other school districts will implement their own ban on energy drinks to keep students healthy and safe.
“I think it impacts their learning and that’s what we should be about is student learning,” he shared. “I do think that more schools will head this direction.”
Awareness and next steps
As more schools do ban these beverages, Rascoe says he hopes this will prompt broader awareness about the potential dangers of energy drinks.
“The goal behind it is to work together with families to bring it to light, and let’s make a change,” he shared.
According to an article from Johns Hopkins Medicine, children between the ages of 12 and 18 should not consume more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day and should avoid energy drinks entirely.
Energy drink manufacturers do also include warnings on their cans recommending the beverages not be consumed by children.
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