Healthy Living Chat with Dr. Kristin Nyweide White MD

By Rachel Bui

Background

Healthy Study Habits conducted an interview with Dr. Kristin Nyweide White, a pediatrician working at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. During this interview, we asked questions regarding the effects of energy drinks on brain development, mood, and focus, along with a question regarding how the consumption of energy drinks can compare to drinking coffee, soda, or tea.

Dr. Kristin Nyweide White answered these questions in much detail, and gave us examples of real questions she has asked her adolescent patients, and how it can affect them in different ways.

The Interview

Preface

When meeting with adolescent patients during the confidential part of the visit, there is a talk regarding alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, and energy drinks. Adolescent patients seem to make good decisions regarding the first three options, yet seem shocked when the topic of energy drinks is brought up.

Why do adolescents use energy drinks?

Though there is no exact reason to why adolescents consume energy drinks, she still inquires why with these questions:

• Do you really like the taste?

• Why are they so tired?

• Do energy drinks help with your tiredness?

• Are they trying to collect all the different colored cans of Monster Cans?

What medications are they taking and how does it interact with energy drinks?

When speaking with her patients, she also takes into account whether they are taking any medications such as "anti-anxiety/anti-depression medications, asthma medications (like albuterol which increases heart rate) or even with over-the-counter meds like sudafed/dayquil)." When taking these factors into account, they can amplify the side effects of energy drinks (listed in Energy Drinks Blog) such as...

• increased heart rate

• dangerous blood pressure spikes

• reduced effectiveness of medications

Sleep Cycles of Patients

She also asks about their daily sleep time on average, and if there are any factors such as screens before bed, devices in their room, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or any melatonin usage. Energy drinks are supposed to compensate for sleep deprivation, but can actually decrease sleep quality and create a cycle that is hard to break.

Usage of any Substances?

She asks if any other substances, such as zyns, edibles, or weed are being used or abused. When combining caffeine with other substances, it can cause a strain on the heart and even disrupt the sleep cycle even further.

If their parents know about their energy drink consumption?

Most often, parents do not know how much caffeine their teen consumes each day. In some families, they drink coffee, tea, or matcha as part of their daily routine or culture before starting their day. They may believe that this is their only energy source without realizing their teen is consuming a energy drink, soda, or pre-workout supplements, meaning that their total daily caffeine intake can add up quietly, but quickly.

Other thoughts about energy drinks

For student athletes, it is worth to note that "there are even NCAA standards for how much caffeine athletes can have in their bodies for competition!"

A super sugary Starbucks Frappuccino or a Big Gulp from 7/11 is not a very good substitute to energy drinks. In moderation, drinking tea and coffee is much better, especially if you have healthy sleep habits!