Energy For Teens

Why Teenagers Are Using Energy Drinks

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

Lately I've seen lots of teenagers drinking energy drinks such as Red Bull and Rockstar. What is with this new trend and why do teens feel the need to be using energy products?

Sincerely,

Teens Drinking Energy

A:

Dear Teens Drinking Energy,

Energy Drinks are not really new.

Teens entering adulthood are juggling work and social lives for the first time, and they make mistakes, or they take on too much and choose to compensate for the lack of sleep. Adults have the same problems -- they make mistakes and take on too much or have emergencies where they have to take on too much and compensate for lack of sleep with energy boosters.

Historically the energy boosters have been:

No-doze

Caffeinated sodas like Jolt

Coffee is a long-time standard

Illegal drugs like speed, benzedrine and other drugs

Cold remedies that could be bought over the counter that contain ephedrine, like Sudafed, taken for purposes other than colds -- like to stay awake.

New energy boosters are:

Health food substances like guarana and ginseng

Caffeinated drinks with names like Red Bull

Coffee drinks like iced blends exotically named espresso shot drinks like Macchiato

Illegal drugs like speed still exist and come in new "designer" forms

The good and the bad news is that these drugs, substances and beverages are not going away. They're part of our culture and part of history. The interesting news is that they're being marketed to younger people, like teens, who now have more on their plates than they used to. Over-scheduled and pressured to perform academically, socially and extra-curriculally, teens have more reasons to stay awake, and the business world has found ways to make money off the of the teens needs. These drinks are those products.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

Date Out Of Your League Think & Date Like a Man Ideas for a Fun Date Romantic Date Ideas

© 2004-2009 AskApril.com, LLC. All rights reserved. AskApril®, AskApril.com®, and Ask April® are registered trademarks owned by Masini Enterprises, Inc. This material can only be republished and redistributed if it is kept in it's original form, including, but not limited to, all AskApril branding, banners, links, books, and credits.