Recent studies have exposed possible health risks associated with typical consumption of energy drinks, which could pose a serious threat to the health of Bucks’ adolescent student body.

Monster Energy and 5-Hour Energy have been implicated in 18 deaths, according to a Federal Drug Administration report in 2012.

It is those reported fatalities and increasing energy drink related emergency room visits that have prompted a letter from “a group of 18 doctors, researchers and public health experts,” according to the New York Times.

This group of experts has mobilized against the consumption of these beverages by children, adolescents and young adults. In their letter to Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. commissioner of the FDA, the group urged the FDA to reexamine the questionable amounts of caffeine found in energy drinks.

“There is neither sufficient evidence of safety nor a consensus of scientific opinion to conclude that the high levels of added caffeine in energy drinks are safe,” the group said.

The group argued that the energy drinks intended use do not meet the requirements of the FDA’s generally recognized as safe standards for food additives.

In 2009, 354.5 million gallons of energy drinks were sold in the U.S., and between 2001 and 2006 the energy drink market grew by over 50 percent annually, according to the FDA.

What separates energy drinks from other caffeinated beverages is the amount of caffeine per serving. Popular energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster and NOS range from 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving to 260 milligrams per serving.

5-Hour Energy drinks contain a smaller serving size, 2 fluid ounces, but contain the same amount of caffeine as the larger energy drinks.

Whereas sodas contain 30 to 40 milligrams of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces or 355 milliliters per serving, these energy shots are roughly 40 times more concentrated.

Caffeine is the only legal and unregulated psychoactive substance and is the most used worldwide, according to the FDA. The FDA classifies caffeine as a “multiple purpose generally recognized as safe food substance,” and states, “moderate caffeine intake produces no increased risk to health.”

“I drink one every morning,” Anthony Reveria, 22, criminal justice major said.

Reveria drinks the 16 fluid ounce Monster as a substitute for coffee.

Similarly, Ben Infante, 19, culinary apprenticeship, said he drinks Monster regularly before work. Infante said he has experienced mild headaches occasionally after the effects of the energy drink wear off.

For other students at Bucks energy drinks are an indulgence or an occasional “pick-me-up.”

“I just drink (energy drinks) because they’re there,” Tony Nguyen, 19, chemistry major said.

Nguyen will indulge in a 24 fluid ounce Monster once a week and enjoys the taste of Starbucks mocha Frappuccino.

Conversely other Bucks students find energy drinks and other caffeinated beverages unfulfilling, wasteful, and unhealthy.

“Energy drinks are an unnecessary use of money,” David Jones, 19, education major said.

Alison Engelsnan, 19, early education and special education major, said she had no need for energy drinks.

“I think you get to the point where you can’t do anything without them. I don’t like that,” Shekinah Khokhak, 19, hospitality and tourism management major said.

Khokhak said she thinks they are addictive and does not drink energy drinks.

Many doctors, researchers and health experts warn against the consumption of energy drinks before or during exercise or athletic activities.

As this might be linked to an increase the risk of myocardial ischemia which occurs when the blood flow to the heart muscle is decreases by a partial or complete blockage of the heart’s arteries, and other cardiovascular complications.

This finding is alarming since Monster sponsors over a hundred professional athletes like skateboarder Chris Cole and snowboarder Danny Kass. They also sponsor extreme sports such as bull riding, freestyle motocross and surfing.

Time will tell whether these quick pick-me-ups will lead to longer term health problems for the young adults that consume them.