A bad mixture?

Local experts warn of the dangers associated with combining energy drinks with alcohol

By Natalie Nettles (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Friday, March 12, 2010

Mixing energy drinks with alcohol is a growing trend among young people, but some experts are concerned this could be a dangerous combination.

Linda Moore, a nutritionist at Russell Medical Center, said mixing the stimulant in energy drinks with the depressant in alcohol confuses the body.

“It gives mixed signals that aren’t good for the body,” Moore said. “The stimulant in the energy drink masks how intoxicated you may be” While one common concoction is mixing vodka with Red Bull, a number of energy drink companies have released versions of their beverages that prepackage the alcohol inside the can.

Mary Tremelling, prevention specialist and coordinator for Children’s Policy Council in Tallapoosa County, said she read an article about alcoholic energy drinks in Parentalk, a publication of The Alabama Parent Network.

“The article caught my eye because I was not aware they had energy drinks with alcohol in them,” Tremelling said. “I went to Walmart, and they had the alcoholic energy drinks stocked next to the nonalcoholic drinks.”

Because the beverages are often sold with nonalcoholic drinks, Tremelling said she was concerned underage individuals might mistakenly purchase a drink containing alcohol or even purposely attempt to purchase one.

“I saw some of these drinks, and some of them have more alcohol in them than a can of beer,” Tremelling said. “I thought, ‘Wow. What’s this about?’”

Cpl. Marcus Billups with the Alexander City Police Department said he has not noticed alcoholic energy drinks to be a big problem with youth in the area, but said keeping alcohol out of the hands of the underage is always a concern.

“At convenience stores, alcohol is often in the door right next to the Coca-Cola,” Billups said. “It’s a major concern that a kid can go in to buy a soda, and be tempted with alcohol. It’s like a setup almost to get them thinking about it.”

Tremelling praised local law enforcement for their work with area youth.

“I think the law offices in our county are taking an interest in preventing underage drinking, and they’re doing a fantastic job,” Tremelling said.

Moore said regardless of the alcoholic content, energy drinks by themselves are unhealthy and eating fruit or drinking orange juice is a better alternative.

“People have no energy so they drink these energy drinks loaded with caffeine and sugar to speed them up,” Moore said. “But they don’t get any nutrition. What the body really needs is healthy food.”

“I’m very opinionated about energy drinks,” Moore added. “I have a 16-year-old son and I tell him all the time not to drink them.”

A representative from the Alabama Beverage Control said stores themselves choose where alcoholic drinks are placed.

However, Tremelling said she would like to see alcoholic energy drinks sold in a separate area in stores.

“I really think power drinks with alcohol should be sold in the wine and beer section, not with the nonalcoholic drinks,” Tremelling said.

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