Energy drinks are everywhere. Take a look in your nearest convenience store fridge — Red Bull now competes with MDX, Monster, AMP, SoBe and BAWLS Guarana, among many others.

These drinks, however, are not as healthy nor as energy boosting as they may appear.

Rajni Sud, a dietician at the DeKalb Clinic, said these drinks should not be necessary for someone with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

“If they’re dehydrated and they are exercising regularly, for everyone that is doing regular activities, they should get their energy from food and drinking water. That’s what I emphasize,” Sud said. She advises against using these drinks just for taste because they contain unnecessary calories.

Potential side effects

“These drinks do give you energy,” said Judith Lukaszuk , assistant professor of nutrition, “But only because they contain caffeine, which can cause your body to crash later.”

Energy drinks can have undesired side effects, such as nervousness, sleeplessness and occasional rapid heart beat, said Lukaszuk, speaking specifically of the new 5-hour ENERGY drink.

The caffeine in these drinks also can be harmful for people with high blood pressure, she said. Occasional energy boosts are helpful, but these drinks shouldn’t be used routinely.

“If, despite eating well and getting enough sleep, if you still never have any energy, you should go to the doctor to make certain there is not another underlying condition which is contributing to your fatigue,” Lukaszuk said.

Assistant chemistry professor Victor Ryzhov added, “It seems like the high content of caffeine causes extra dehydration which makes these drinks undesirable for athletes and children.”

Why students drink them

Britt Mork, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said he would use them before and during hockey games. “For hockey we’d drink two before and one in between each period, so a total of four,” he said.

Britt wasn’t sure if he thought the drinks actually affected his performance. “I think it’s psychological, especially if your adrenaline is going — I just like the taste,” he said.

Another student drinks them for boosts of energy during test time. “I take them during road trips so I can stay awake driving and when I’m studying for finals. I do think they give me energy,” Mike Roncal, a freshman fire science major.

Energy drinks have also become increasingly popular in bars around DeKalb when mixed with alcohol. “We use Red Bull in a lot of drinks. It’s the best,” said Vince Tolman, owner of The Barn, 1215 Blackhawk Drive.

Tolman said customers seem to think it “gives them wings,” although he thinks it is just psychological. Red Bull and Monster are the most popular energy drinks among bar patrons.