Healthy Kids: Energy drinks and alcohol

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Adolescent drinking affects adult behavior, it can leave lasting effects on genes and behavior.  These effects occur in a critical time in brain development. It can also alter genes that lead to a desire for more alcohol.

Energy drinks can be dangerous as well.  They can trigger sudden cardiac deaths in young, healthy individuals.  Energy drinks are becoming more popular despite risk increases with underlying heart disease

One can is safe for most healthy adolescents but consumption before or during exercise should be avoided.