PVCC Puma Press: November 2004

Engaging in hazardous yet trendy stunts is anything but new to American culture. Feats such as skydiving and bull running have become so common, they barely seem dangerous anymore. While the latest young adult fad may not appear as risky as nude bungee jumping, some experts fear the consequences may prove just as catastrophic.

Although Jack and Coke may still be the norm at most bars and clubs, young adults are slowly turning their attention to a drink with a little more kick. Alcoholic beverages containing energy drinks such as Red Bull have become increasingly popular. For some people the popularity can be attributed to recent law changes right here in the Valley.

“I’ve definitely noticed an increase in their popularity,” says O’ Malleys waitress Ann Marie Soucie. “Especially now with the drinking curfew extended, people want to stay up even later so they can drink more. Since the extension, Jager (Yeah-ger) Bombers have probably become our fourth or fifth most popular drink.”

Blending the popular Red Bull beverage with a shot of Germany’s claim to fame, Jagermeister, yields a combo some young people find difficult as well as dangerous to manage.

The false feeling of alertness derived from the drink may give drinkers the confidence to make the drive home when they’ve drank well beyond the legal limit. Experts believe energy drinks containing stimulant ingredients mixed with alcohol, a depressant, could fool drinkers from realizing just how intoxicated they truly are.

Tests run at the University of California, meanwhile, confirm the combination of drinks not only increases the risk of dehydration, but can increase the risk of heart problems as well. Thus, downing these blended drinks, even at home, could prove just as deadly as out at a local bar or club.

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Tests at the University of California confirm the combination of drinks increases the risk of dehydration and heart problems.
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While question marks have always surrounded the concept of drinking for energy as opposed to quenching one’s thirst, eyebrows weren’t raised high until someone died. Four years ago in Ireland, Ross Cooney, an 18-year old basketball player, died after drinking four cans of Red Bull with friends.

Cooney participated in a game just after consuming the beverages and died despite his presumed healthy condition. While no connection was proven, the fact that the coroner investigating the cause of death, inquired into the amount of Red Bull consumed by Cooney was enough to turn heads. Other deaths have also been linked to energy drinks in the past, but none as recent nor as publicized as the Cooney case in Ireland.

To what degree these incidents influenced the drink’s ban in countries like Canada and France is uncertain. But the fact that the popular Red Bull beverage is banned in four countries remains. It requires a prescription to be purchased in other countries.
“It’s no different than anything else,” says Soucie, formerly a bartender, “a cup of coffee isn’t necessarily dangerous. Forty-seven cups in one day, however, might just kill you.”

“People need to quit pointing fingers and take responsibility for their own actions,” says 21-year old PVCC student Yuriy Dubrovin. “As a legal drinker, I, too, could go slam 12 bombers at some bar. Common sense, however, tells me (to do) otherwise.”

While some medical experts may not be completely opposed to the concept of energy drinks, it’s apparent even fewer endorse it. “I wouldn’t recommend them more than I would any caffeinated drink,” says Valley cardiologist Kevin Berman.

A can of Red Bull contains roughly the same amount of caffeine, 80 milligrams, as one cup of coffee. Even the sugar level is comparable to that in a can of Coca Cola Classic. While the level of taurine (an amino acid Red Bull claims can, “kick start” the metabolism) appears excessive, it can go unnoticed when listed with all the other ingredients on a can of Red Bull.

“People have been combining caffeine and alcohol forever,” says 18-year old PVCC student Jana Junuz. “Bailey’s in coffee, Jack and Coke, nobody’s doing anything new. Maybe the companies should warn against extreme consumption, but not any more than McDonald’s should warn its customers their burgers are fattening.”

On Red Bull’s Web site, a question and answer link is featured. The question to whether or not Red Bull could be mixed with alcoholic beverages has always been answered with an enthusiastic yes. The question to why that specific query has recently been removed from the Web site, however, has yet to be answered.