Why Starbucks' New Iced Energy Drinks Can Be Dangerous For Teens
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Here's why kids should avoid the new Starbucks Iced Energy drinks.
Starbucks
Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah ScottMany adolescents are Starbucks obsessed. In a 2024 survey from investment banking company Piper Sandler, it found that the chain is capturing 37% of teens' coffee and tea budget—no small feat when you reflect on the price tag attached to most menu offerings. Indeed, holding a cup with the signature green mermaid logo has become a status symbol for many tweens and teens, much like wearing Nike shoes or clutching a Sephora bag stuffed to the brim with pricey products.As a parent of three girls between the ages of 10 and 15, for the most part, I support their on-trend Starbucks addiction. While I don’t know if they actually like the drinks, or order refreshers and boba sips to feel cool, the bottom line is that I trusted the company to provide quality, safe beverages for my crew (who isn’t too into coffee just yet)—until now. ICYMI, Starbucks recently introduced a series of colorful energy drinks called Iced Energy that contain enough caffeine to pose a danger to adolescents. Per the Starbucks menu, there are three flavors to choose from—available only in the largest Venti size—including Melon Burst and Tropical Citrus, which contain between 180 and 205 milligrams of caffeine. Then there’s the Frozen Tropical Citrus Iced Energy drink, boasting 140 milligrams of caffeine.As NBC reports, 205 milligrams of caffeine, found in the Tropical Citrus Iced Energy Starbucks offering, is akin to chugging six cans of Coke at once! At time of writing, no warning labels are included to suggest that the beverages are not appropriate for younger customers, but as parents, all we need do to feel a flicker of concern is think back to Panera’s recent issues with the now discontinued Charged Lemonade. It resulted in multiple lawsuits from customers, including one teen who alleged they suffered cardiac events after consuming the energy drink.Add to that that experts have also issued warnings against adolescents consuming energy drinks.I immediately talked to my girls about why they aren’t allowed to order this newest menu offering from their favorite cafe. Still, one has to wonder how many young people will be trying the bright, new drink over the coming weeks. And perhaps others will be enticed to sample Dunkin’s version of the trendy beverage, Sparkd' Energy (per the store’s menu, a medium version of their offering contains 144 milligrams of caffeine).Why These Drinks May Be Popular With TeensTo unpack the possible dangers of the new Starbucks energy drinks and others, first, I wanted to try and better understand why today’s adolescents are so Starbucks obsessed in the first place, beyond just anecdotally knowing that my girls are constantly ordering Pink Drinks on my app.“Adolescents who are drawn to Starbucks want to be viewed as mature, sophisticated adults and these are adult beverages that are legal for them to purchase," says Aaron Weiner, PhD, ABPP, a licensed, board-certified psychologist based in Illinois. "When kids want to be seen as cool adults with expensive drinks, Starbucks elevates their status.”On top of that, energy drinks carry their own social clout with kids. “When kids are caffeinated, they feel they can do more, play longer and harder, and perform better than when they feel tired, subdued, and overwhelmed,” Dr. Weiner says.Furthermore, the energy drinks market is booming. And the fact is that many energy drinks are marketed to appeal to adolescents through advertising campaigns. Unfortunately, these beverages can pose many dangers to growing tweens and teens.Why Starbucks Iced Energy Drink Aren’t Good for KidsA lot of it comes down to caffeine, which the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discourages for children. There is no proven safe amount of caffeine for children.“Energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, which is a psychostimulant,” says Wendi DeFrank, MD, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital New Orleans. “This can cause headaches, rapid heart rate, and insomnia.”Dr. DeFrank adds that some people will experience anxiety as a result of caffeine, but the stimulant is not the only potentially problematic ingredient. She points out that energy drinks are loaded with sugar, which can cause rapid rises in blood sugar levels.“That rapid rise triggers release of insulin from the pancreas, which then causes rapid drops in blood sugar levels," explains Dr. DeFrank. "These rapid drops in blood sugar can cause nausea, dizziness, headaches, and vomiting.”Longterm excess sugar consumption can also lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes.Furthermore, as Dr. Weiner notes, “Many energy drinks like Starbucks Iced Energy have additives that are known to be unsafe in large quantities for children, such as taurine and guarana. So, it’s not just the caffeine we worry about, it’s the other ingredients as well—and the interaction between the caffeine and the other ingredients that can be especially harmful to children and adolescents.”Among the concerns around taurine, for example, is that the amino acid may cause growth problems in children.How To Talk to Kids About the Dangers of Energy DrinksIt's important for parents to speak with their children about these drinks. "Give them the facts about what they are consuming," says Dr. DeFrank. Because when you think about it, teens are often sipping on what their peers purchase, and may not even consider potentially harmful side effects.It’s also important to explain why it may be OK for adults to drink these beverages, and not them. Remember, healthy adults can have up to 400 mg of caffeine a day.“They often see their parents regularly using caffeine as a part of their daily routines, so it doesn’t appear problematic or unsafe,” Dr. Weiner says, adding that some teens assume that if they can legally purchase energy drinks, they must be safe. But, as he explains, “For the same reason we have medications that have a children’s version and an adult version with differing dosages, we have beverages that are safe for adult bodies that aren’t safe for adolescent bodies because our metabolisms are different.”Ultimately, have a calm, non-caffeinated conversation with your kids about your concerns around energy drinks. Also, hear them out about why they find these beverages appealing. This can yield a common understanding of family expectations when it comes to this menu offering at popular chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’.“When they understand the chemical nature of the substance and why their bodies can’t metabolize it properly, then they are prepared to make a different choice,” Dr. Weiner says. “And, who knows, maybe they’ll even convince a few of their friends to do the same.” For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.
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