Shocking news about energy drinks and their effects on children.

Q: What do kids have for breakfast before school?
A: Cigarettes and Energy Drinks!

Jo Cliff, Managing Director goes on to explain, "As I sat in the school traffic at our local school the other morning I counted at least every 1 in 5 kids walking to school drinking an energy drink, and complementing it with a cigarette - that really can't be the best start to their school day."

The energy drink that Jo refers to are the ones with names like Monster and Red Bull. With the clever branding it's made this supposed sports drink into a main stream essential for kids. What is frightening is the long term damage it could be causing young people with every sip. The following text was taken from a study in the States.

"Their hands are shaking, can't hold still, vision is closing down on them." Steve Friebus is describing a caffeine rush, something he has seen many young kids go through as Head Athletic Trainer for Bixby Schools. 

"Typically these kids are coming to us in the first quarter or in the first hour of practice and saying I don't feel well," said Friebus. 

The so called caffeine rush happens everyday to young children across the world. The most common cause? Energy drinks. 

"One can alone is too much especially for an adolescent," said Sports Dietician, Sloan Taylor. 

It's estimated 30-50% of adolescents regularly consume some form of energy drink. Often choosing it over water or a sports drink such as Gatorade. 

Joey Reyes won't let his kids drink them, but almost everyday he pops open a "5 hour energy". 

"It's just a pick me up, get me out the door," said Reyes. 

Most adults will tell you they drink energy drinks for the energy, to keep them going. But, if you ask adolescents why they drink energy drinks, Taylor says you will get a much different answer. "It's because 'Mark' is, 'John' is, it's because it's cool." 

But in reality, studies show a kid drinking an energy drink is anything but cool.