Ka Leo o Nä Koa
March 14, 2008
A1
The dangers of caffeine
You are what you drink By KYMEE BURK, news writer
Caffeinated drinks have become a part of daily diets across the nation. With the increase in caffeine consumption and products, such as energy drinks, it is important to know what your body is consuming. Today there are more than 100 energy drinks for sale across America, compared to only a handful 5-10 years ago. Today there are more than 100 energy drinks offered across America, compared to 5-10 years ago. Energy drinks are beverages that usually contain high doses of caffeine, work to supply energy, and stimulate a person’s body. Energy drinks are nothing like Gatorade, a sports drink. Every day, about 21 million Americans drink 6 cups of coffee. Many of these consumers are not aware of the side effects caffeine overconsumption causes, or they just ignore them. Junior Ashley Shaffer enjoys Starbucks’ Frappuccino several times a month. She says that she doesn’t think about the caffeine because she doesn’t have the drink very often, and the delicious flavor removes any thought of unhealthy effects. Studies show there is nothing wrong with a cup of coffee a day or an energy drink here or there, but consumers need to know the results of over-consuming caffeine. Caffeine is a stimulant, which causes a person to feel energized and awake for a few hours. It works by blocking adenosine, the chemical that triggers drowsiness. Once the caffeine wears off, your brain once again recognizes the adenosine. This explains the feeling of sudden tiredness and fatigue known as a crash. SEE CAFFEINE A5
Photos by KYLE DEELEY
Energy drinks line the shelves at the KÏhei Safeway. These caffeine and sugarfilled beverages may have deleterious effects over an extended period of use.
Quench the thirst By Alex Kahalehili, lifestyles writer
Athletes’ bodies constantly dehydrate and need something to quench the thirst. While water seems like it would be the first choice of drink, sports drinks have become very popular among athletes. With many different choices of hydrating sources, many wonder if sports drinks do indeed re-hydrate an athlete better than water. Although sports drinks come in different colors, flavors, and brands, some people wonder if they are getting their money’s worth when 4 ounces of water every 15 minutes while exercising will fully hydrate a body in motion. Some people find the taste of water to be boring and bland, so they don’t drink enough to become fully hydrated. These people often choose sports drinks that are flavorful and replace electrolytes and minerals that are lost during the process of sweating.
Index: School Briefs
A4
Class News
A6
Lifestyles
B1
Sports
C1
Editorials
D1
HOSA……..………...….B3
The Miser………….….A4
Energy Drinks…………A5