Energized alcohol: not just a fad

NICK PITTS STAFF WRITER NDP722@CABRINI EDU

Aside from the ability to give you wings, college students have found that Red Bull can also give you double vision.

In addition to other ingredients in mixed drinks, energy drinks such as Vault, Amp and Rockstar have been added to the blend.

One of the most popular concoctions includes Red Bull and Vodka.

But do the energy drinks add a whole new dimension of danger to drinking alcohol?

“The mixture of alcohol and energy drinks such as Red Bull and Rockstar give a false sense of security and most people say they do not feel as drunk as they usually would,” athletic trainer Brett VanFleet said. “People just don’t feel as tired.”

As it turns out, alcohol, a depressant, combined with the large amount of caffeine found in energy drinks, has a possibility of being quite dangerous to the consumers health.

“The problem is, the mix wants to do two things,” health services coordinator Sue Fitzgerald said. “Red Bull is a stimulant, as it is high in caffeine. Alcohol, however, is a depressant and wants to slow the central nervous system. Combined, the drink reduces perception of impairment.”

On top of the impairment problems, heart problems are also a serious concern for consumers.

“Because both alcohol and energy drinks are diuretics, both cause fluid loss and together could lead to a major drop in blood pressure,” Fitzgerald said.