The Caffeine War

The Caffeine War can be defined as the rush to produce higher concentrations of caffeine to a captive audience, by the world’s producers of caffeine products. While there may be many forms of introducing caffeine to customers this report will focus on and compare the Coffee industry and the producers of Energy Drink products while attempting to define their impact and any resulting long term medical harm to the consumer. According to Dr. Howard Axe, President of the Chicago Medical society, his research concluded that caffeine levels in energy drink pose “Serious” health risks in children and adults. Dr. Howard Axe also added while not illegal; such drinks are “just highly irresponsible”. While energy drinks do provide a burst of energy, coffee is a less harmful alternative and provides a similar effect without the levels of caffeine.
Caffeine is a crystalline purine substance, a stimulant, which when consumed, associates itself with the central nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal column, muscles functions and the regulation of the heart muscle, the muscles
Usually an energy drink can contain 80 milligrams of caffeine; also energy drinks contain around 24-29 grams of sugar in an average 8 ounce container. Short term consumption can lead to side effects such as insomnia, chest pain, respiratory distress, headache, and other side effects. However with long term consumption the consumer can develop tooth decay, type 2 diabetes, and at times obesity. For an average person weighing 180 pounds , it would take 61.4 5 Hour energy shots, 153.6 Red Bull cans, 76.8 Monster Energy drinks, 76.8 Rockstar energy drinks, and 86.5 Amp Energy drinks would have terminal effects. Since 2004 there had been 34 documented deaths linked to energy drinks, with half occurring in 2012. Of these, 22 deaths were connected with 5 Hour Energy which is known to contain the highest concentration of