Boy Scouts of America

Energy Drinks

SUMMARY

The consumption of energy drinks by children may lead to serious medical consequences. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that “stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents.”

GENERAL INFORMATION

You’ve seen the advertisements for energy drinks and have probably seen youth drinking them, but just what are they? Are they safe? And do they have a place in Scouting or not?

According to the National Institutes of Health, a 24-ounce energy drink may contain as much caffeine as four or five cups of coffee. High doses of caffeine, combined with the other additives in energy drinks, are especially a concern for children with underlying health issues or those taking certain medications. But high doses of caffeine are worrisome for all Scout-age youth and may cause serious side effects. Energy drinks have been known to disturb the heart’s natural rhythm, raise blood pressure, and increase the risk of sudden death. These drinks have also been linked to reductions in brain blood flow, seizures, and behavioral disorders. Frequently they cause anxiety, insomnia, stomach upset, muscle twitching, restlessness, and headaches.

In addition, a single serving may contain more sugar than is recommended for an entire day. Those extra calories can add up fast and may contribute to obesity in youth.

Are energy drinks and sports drinks the same thing? No! Sports drinks—a combination of carbohydrates, minerals, and electrolytes—do not contain caffeine. They are intended to replenish water and electrolytes lost through sweating during intense exercise and can be safely used by youth in limited amounts for hydration.

Energy drinks make up about half of the beverage market internationally, and consumption has increased seven-fold in Scout-age youth in the past 15 years. The popularity of energy drinks among youth makes the dangers posed especially concerning. Because of the potential health risks, energy drinks are to be discouraged at all Scouting events.

RESOURCES

Reviewed January 3rd, 2024. 

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.