The study found that children and adolescents consuming caffeine in high concentrations suffered from caffeine-induced headaches and interrupted sleep patterns. Warning labels "would be prudent."
Elevated caffeine poses particular risks for those in warmer climates. "Every couple of years, in the humid heat of summer, you hear of high school athletes having adverse effects," Lipshultz says. "The heat is up, your heart rate is up. Caffeine is a diuretic. It increases the kidney's disposal of fluid from the body. If you take a bottle of this stuff, thinking you are getting hydrated, you're getting dehydrated."
"The issue with these energy drinks is that they are the `sexy' beverages of the 2000s, the `cool' beverage for today's generation," says Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a co-author of the University of Florida study. "In my 25 years of experience, I've only seen two or three overdoses on caffeine. ...
