Energy Drinks Deaths

Energy Drinks Deaths, The Food and Drug Adminstration said it’s investigating reports of 13 deaths of people who took 5-Hour Energy beverage shots. The drink can be found on store shelves throughout the island.
The federal agency says it has received 92 reports, including 33 hospitalizations and 13 deaths, after consumers drank 5-Hour Energy. These reports allege that people suffered adverse reactions after consuming the products, but don’t prove that the drink was the cause.





FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said the agency is cautioning consumers that these “energy shots” or “energy drinks” aren’t alternatives to rest or sleep.
FDA officials said they will take action if they can link the deaths to consumption of the energy drink, which could include forcing the company to take the drinks off the market.
Reports of higher emergency room visits and even deaths due to consuming energy drinks has some senators in the United States seeking stricter regulations on the sale of energy drinks — particularly to teens.
Monster drinks
The Food and Drug Administration said it also received five “adverse event” reports of death and one report of a heart attack “associated” with the energy drink Monster.
Some say the deaths could lead to FDA action, which Sens. Richard Durbin, D- Ill., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., have urged, according to The Associated Press reports.
“Sometimes, tragedy prompts action even from entrenched bureaucratic skeptics,” Blumenthal said in the AP story. “These tragedies put a face and voice to a very severe danger.”
A local doctor encourages residents to forgo energy drinks and drink water and eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Dr. Keith Horinouchi, who owns Dr. Horinouchi’s Wellness Clinic, said eating right is important because it gives an individual stable energy. With this energy, there isn’t a need for canned energy sources that can be found at many stores and gas stations on island.
Horinouchi said caffeine is a strong stimulant and a large amount can raise heart rates and increase blood pressure and sugar levels.
He especially discourages children from consuming energy drinks because their systems are more sensitive to the high amount of caffeine in the drinks.
He noticed energy drinks are getting larger and stronger so they are even more potent.
“I don’t recommend that children drink it,” Horinouchi said.
Energy drinks actually dehydrate the body and can cause fatigue after the energy boost, he said.
The FDA noted that the allegations don’t necessarily prove the drinks are linked to the deaths.
The reports aren’t the first health warnings about energy drinks.

Source: http://todaynewsgazette.com/energy-drinks-deaths/

Posted by Smooches