Because of the amount of people I observe daily consuming energy drinks, I am deeply concerned about the potential health risks that such beverages pose. Monster Energy Drinks, in particular, are widely consumed across the U.S, with most people unaware of the dangers they present. Over the past decade, a disturbing number of incidents have been reported in connection with energy drink consumption. Notably, it has been found that 32 people in total have lost their lives as a result of consuming these beverages (Source: Center for Food Safety Adverse Event Reporting System).

Energy drinks like Monster are packed with high levels of caffeine and sugar, which can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and in some cases, fatal outcomes. The American Heart Association has warned about the dangers of excessive consumption of these drinks due to their potential to disrupt heart rhythms and cause heart attacks (Source: American Heart Association).
   

David Cripe was a sixteen-year-old living in Chapin, South Carolina. He was healthy, and he
didn’t drink energy drinks often. One morning, on April 26, 2017, David drank a complete energy
drink before class started. Soon, his heart went into arrhythmia and wouldn’t go back to normal.
No one could save him. This tragic event might have been prevented had energy drinks been
illegal or pronounced dangerous by energy drink companies.
Alex Morris was aged 19 years when his life came to an end. Alex had been drinking about
two sixteen-ounce cans of Monster Energy Drinks a day for approximately three years. He had
drunk no less than two cans of that same brand on the day of his death. The drinks caused Alex
to go into cardiac arrest. Later that day, he died at the hospital. He probably would not have died
had he not drunk so many energy drinks.
These are but two of many incidents of deaths caused by drinking energy drinks. Clearly,
energy drinks are not as harmless or healthy as one might think. Most people experience
health problems such as anxiety, gastrointestinal disturbances, dehydration, nervousness,
tachycardia, rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, ventricular fibrillation, seizures, acute mania,
stroke, or death. If one experiences vomiting, high blood pressure, racing heart, heart rhythm
problems, disorientation, or hallucinations during or after drinking energy drinks, they may have
overconsumption from drinking too many energy drinks. The main ingredients in most sports
drinks are caffeine, taurine, glucuronolactone, B vitamins, guarana, ginseng, ginkgo, biloba,
l-carnitine, sugars, antioxidants, and trace minerals. Some of these ingredients cause
tachycardia, arrhythmias, and hypertension.
 Energy drinks can have more than 200mg of caffeine. The human body is not designed to handle an intake of that much caffeine at once, so that is why energy drinks (especially Monsters) can cause heart related problems. The average energy drink contains 40 grams of sugar – as much as a can of soda! Energy drinks are definitely not the best thing to spend your money on. If one were to drink energy drinks regularly (5-6 times per week), one would be paying about 17$ per week, or 70$ per month. The costs add up quickly if one buys the drinks regularly.
Instead of drinking energy drinks, try drinking water and eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It may save your life!
In conclusion, energy drinks are something to be avoided. Heed this warning and never drink them, even if you think you won’t be affected. You won’t regret it.

We must prioritize the health of our fellow citizens over the profits of corporations. Therefore, we are calling on government officials to introduce regulations that outlaw the sale of Monster Energy Drinks in the U.S.

By signing this petition, you have the power to help protect our nation from the hidden dangers of energy drinks. Sign today to make a change for a healthier future.