Are Energy Drinks Good for You?|机能饮料的迷思

Are Energy Drinks Good for You?

by William Ryan

What looks like a harmless energy drink could be misleading.

　　Based on current information, there is strong evidence that energy drinks might not be healthy, especially for children. Claims made by energy drink manufacturers may also be inaccurate. These drinks are loaded with sugar and caffeine, and the other ingredients which are supposed to enhance performance and concentration are of questionable merit. _(1)_ One study suggests energy drinks are no more effective than coffee.

　　According to an article in the medical journal, Pediatrics, these drinks do not really increase energy or improve performance. _(2)_ Another cause for concern is that an estimated 30 to 50 percent of children drink these drinks regularly. _(3)_ Most energy drinks have three times more caffeine than sodas, and some contain up to 14 times more. Doctors stress that energy drinks that contain as much as 270 calories per serving should not be given to children. Particularly at risk are kids with heart problems, diabetes, and attention deficit disorders. The article further warns that children on medication for attention deficit disorders must absolutely avoid these beverages.

　　Another aspect of the problem is that too many people are unaware that there is a major difference between energy drinks and sports drinks. _(4)_ Their main purpose is to replace these important substances, not to make athletes become faster or stronger.

　　Some countries have begun tracking the effects of energy drinks on health, and some serious side effects have been noted. _(5)_ Hopefully these alarming findings will alert consumers, parents, and government health departments to the potential dangers of energy drinks.

(A) Not only are those claims false, energy drinks may actually be harmful.

(B) Although they do contain sugar, sports drinks contain nutrients and electrolytes, which are lost during strenuous exercise.

(C) Guarana, ginseng, and taurine are such ingredients, but there is no evidence to support the claims that they boost energy.

(D) Red Bull was even banned in Taiwan for a few years.

(E) Since caffeine generally disturbs children's sleep, energy drinks might even make children less energetic because they stay up late, and a lack of proper rest tires them out.

(F) Liver and respiratory disorders, accelerated heart rates, and seizures are among them.

机能饮料的迷思

看似无害的机能饮料可能会令人产生误解。

　　根据目前的数据，有强力的证据显示，机能饮料并不健康，尤其对儿童而言。机能饮料制造商所发表的声明也可能是错误的。这种饮料中充满了糖份及咖啡因，也充满了其他理应要提高表现以及集中力的成份，而这些成份的性质令人怀疑。能量果、人蔘以及牛磺酸就是这样的成份，但并没有证据来支持这份声明，证明机能饮料可以提升精力。一份研究显示机能饮料和咖啡一样都没有效果。

　　根据《小儿科》医学期刊中的一篇文章，这些饮料并不能真的增强精力或是提升表现。这些（机能饮料制造商所发表的）声明不只是错误的，而且机能饮料实际上可能是有害的。另一项令人忧心的原因就是，估计有百分之三十至五十的孩童经常喝这些饮料。由于咖啡因通常会干扰儿童的睡眠，机能饮料可能还会使得儿童比较没有精神，因为熬夜以及缺乏适当的休息会让他们非常疲倦。大部份机能饮料的咖啡因含量比汽水多三倍，有的机能饮料甚至高达十四倍之多。医生强调每瓶机能饮料若含有高达两百七十大卡的热量，就不应该提供给儿童。特别是对于那些有心脏方面问题、患有糖尿病以及注意力缺陷症的儿童有相当的风险。该文章还更进一步地警告说，正在服用药物治疗注意力缺陷症的小朋友必须完全避免这些饮料。

　　问题的另一个层面就是太多人没有意识到机能饮料和运动饮料有很大的差别。虽然它们的确都含有糖份，但是运动饮料里含有剧烈运动时会流失的养份及电解质。运动饮料最主要的功用就是取代这些重要物质，而不是让运动员变得更快或是更强壮。

　　有些国家已开始追踪机能饮料对健康的影响，而人们已经注意到某些严重的副作用。肝脏及呼吸系统的毛病、心跳加速和癫痫发作都是副作用之一。希望这些令人震惊的发现会提醒消费者、家长及政府卫生部门注意机能饮料的潜在危险。

答案： 1.   C   2.   A   3.   E   4.   B   5.   F

 

　　机能饮料于二十多年前问世，在美国饮料市场中是销售成长最快的饮料，有三分之一的青少年及年轻人经常饮用机能饮料，2011 年该种类饮料的销售额达到九十亿美元。该宣传数据中声称，机能饮料会提供能量、增强耐力和注意力以及帮助减肥。但迈阿密大学医学院儿科系主任史帝芬‧理普舒兹（Steven Lipshultz）博士说，没有任何证据表明该种饮料具有这些医疗作用。相反的，机能饮料会带来严重的副作用，如癫痫发作、幻觉、心跳加速、胸痛及血压升高等。他建议儿科医生应当询问病人和他们的家长，确定孩子饮用机能饮料的情况，并应劝阻他们饮用。

　　目前有些国家的贩卖已受到相关机构严密监控。美国食品与药物管理局正加紧管制含咖啡因与酒精的机能饮料，该局近期也向制造商发出了警告信，多个州的政府还颁布了禁令。（数据源：大纪元时报）