There are new stimulants on the market that have people racing to get what they can before the bans start falling down from above.  These stimulants come in the form of an “energy boost” drink designed to not only stimulate the mood but also to provide a burst of energy.  But why would there be state officials seeking to ban energy drinks?

For the same reason that ephedrine supplements were banned in within the first few years of the millennium – they’re seen to be dangerous.  It’s not just the volatile mixture of natural ingredients but it’s also the fact that these energy drinks are laced with alcohol, caffeine, guarana and other stimulants that trick the body and push it into overdrive.  Research has shown, much to the chagrin of law makers, that young consumers are suffering serious (and sometimes fatal) incidents involving their health after consuming these drinks.

It’s not just the youth of the nation that are at risk.  Thousands of people across the U.S. consume “health drinks” or “energy drinks” on a daily basis to get them through a workout routine as well as their work day.  The caffeine and natural stimulants in most drinks is just the right kind of boost for many who exercise and live a full day – providing ample energy to tackle all of the duties without falling off in the middle of the day.   The problem with this is obvious; when you take one of these drinks you’re consuming alcohol.  There aren’t too many employers out there that are keen on employees showing up for work with a little buzz.

Of course, the working class man and America’s youth are not the targets of these alcoholic energy drinks – at least not openly.   States like Michigan raise concern because of the nature of the package.  The Michigan State Liquor Control Commission has stated that these products are banned due to misleading packaging.  The packaging of more than 50 drinks from four different manufacturers has a clear design meant to appeal to teens and other young adults.

Due to the conflicting mix of chemical ingredients, most of which people are clueless to, make excessive consumption far too easy.

So why are the drinks so popular?

The primary people hitting these drinks are those looking for a fast boost for a workout that’s meant to help them lose weight and the late-night partyers.  For those who are burning the candle at both ends in hopes of losing weight, they are often mis-informed and tend to rely on drinks like this in order to lose weight.  Unfortunately, these drinks are packed with empty calories that provide little energy.  Likewise, due to the insulin spike that often occurs with these sugary drinks the calories and other carbs within wind up being stored as fats – along with everything else consumed around the time the drink is taken.

Youth are also slamming these drinks to get them through late night party sessions, and it has some dire side-effects.  Four Loko, one of the brands of alcoholic energy drinks, was blamed last month for the hospitalization of nine Central Washington University students and another fifty-five students at Ramapo College in New Jersey.

A Tasty, but Deadly Combo

Like most of the alcoholic energy drinks, Four Loko is 12% alcohol content.  This is comparable to approximately six 12 oz. beers and it’s packed into a single 24 oz. hyper-flashy container sporting deceptive flavors like citrus, watermelon and fruit punch.  One can from any of the 50+ choices is enough to get a person intoxicated and drive their blood alcohol content over the legal limit.  The problem with these types of alcoholic energy drinks is that not only are they being stocked right next to common energy drinks but many people are consuming several of these cans in one night along with consume typical alcoholic beverages (shots, mixed drinks, etc).

The primary draw is the energy boost – youth drink it to help them party all night and adults are drinking it to motor through a period of intense workouts.  Neither is safe.  These alcoholic energy drinks should be put to the wayside, as there are far safer methods for improving endurance and staying awake – even if the intent is only to last a bit longer on Friday night so people don’t view you as a lightweight.

There’s a stark danger in mixing any kind of supplement that boosts energy with an alcoholic beverage.  Studies have shown that individuals who drink alcohol while using stimulants to stay “wide awake” are more likely to drink more, leave in more drunken state and get behind the wheel.  The pep provided the stimulants can leave a person feeling as if they’re not as drunk as they are.  The fact is, they’re far worse.

For example, a 140 lb. individual drinking two Four Lokos would reach the level of toxicity for alcohol poisoning.  Many young adults and minors are drinking more than two while combining it with other alcohol.

Even supplements need to be monitored when you throw alcohol into the mix.  Alcohol has a way of amplifying the effects of many medications and supplements while nullifying the effects of others.  For those who are aiming to party or keep their endurance going strong for an intense string of workouts, it’’s important to know the effect that alcohol would have on any energy supplements you’re taking.  More importantly, alcoholic energy drinks should be avoided all together.  Caffeine, stimulants and alcohol don’t do anything to improve performance or boost a workout – they just make a more wide-awake drunk.

Michigan is one of the first states to completely ban the sale of the product, giving the manufacturers 30 days to remove the products from state circulation.  Other states are soon to follow, as colleges and universities have begun to ban the product from campuses.  The FDA has been reviewing the mix of caffeine and alcohol since last 2009 and is continuing its investigation into the safety of these products while state Attorney Generals rally to have the products banned from circulation.