Current Release: April 28th, 2009 | Vol. XXX Iss. 10

Photo by Colleen Peterson

Caffeine isn't all it's cracked up to be

By Christina Foster

Caffeine is a college student’s best friend. Whether you are pulling an all-nighter studying for a big test or just need an extra jolt of energy, caffeinated beverages are a must on college campuses. But are these caffeine-induced drinks really all they are cracked up to be?

“We hate energy drinks,” said Head athletic trainer Amy Hayslett. “In athletics here on campus,” she said “we have a problem with energy drinks.”

Beverages like Red Bull and Mountain Dew contain large quantities of caffeine and should not be consumed before big sporting events. Many athletes drink caffeinated beverages before games to keep up endurance and give them an extra boost of energy. But caffeine is banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

“When I played at the Amateur Athletic Union, I used to drink a Red Bull before games,” said junior Michelle Dove, a member of the women’s basketball team.

The NCAA administers random drug testing and, according to their website, if a student is found to have consumed more than 15 micrograms/ml of caffeine, he or she will be banned from the entire NCAA tournament. Just one Red Bull will elevate caffeine levels to this status.

“Caffeine is really popular now- a-days,” said Director of Health Services Mary Cureton. “It does keep you on edge.”

Caffeine is a stimulant that accelerates the central nervous system, releases fatty acids and also affects the kidneys, causing excessive urination, which leads to dehydration. Headaches, anxiety, fatigue, drowsiness and depression all stem from caffeine withdrawal. If you have any of these symptoms after not drinking your daily coffee or Pepsi, you are dependent on caffeine.

Assistant athletic trainer Brandon Kirtley adds that there are also many herbal substances in energy drinks that are banned from the NCAA, including ephedrine and pipradol. Also, guarana is listed on the back of many energy drinks, promoting the use of herbal substances.

However, guarana is actually just another word for caffeine. It is a South American shrub, and the berries on it contain guaranine, which is a substance similar to the chemical make-up of caffeine.

“I heard [energy drinks] weren’t good for you,” said junior Lisa Fanney. “And I just didn’t want to drink that.”

Red Bull’s official website claims that their drink “can be drunk in virtually any situation: at sport, work, study, driving and socializing.” Should this drink be used for athletic competitions, though?

“It’s probably more of a problem with the athletes because of the way it’s marketed,” said Hayslett.

Red Bull states on their site that the drink improves performance, concentration speed, vigilance, emotional status and it stimulates metabolism. They even have cartoons and games that promote the drink as being able to give the consumer boundless energy.

According to their website, “it is recommended to drink one can of Red Bull Energy Drink about 30 minutes before the start of a concentration task or the start of a race or game in sports. This is about the time for the ingredients of Red Bull Energy Drink to become effective in the body.”

Although caffeine is dangerous in large amounts, it is all right every once in a while.

“In small doses, it’s OK,” said Cureton.