Is your beverage NCAA banned?
By: Katie Frick
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Sports
More important than the eligibility consequence of energy drinks is the physical consequence. Perrella warns that "none of these 'energy drinks' comes under the FDA, so no official body is overseeing what goes into these drinks or how much. One of the health concerns with these drinks is dehydration, which can lead to hampered performance as well as heat illness."
There is a particularly gray area with caffeine intake. The amount of caffeine you drink, the time you consume it and your body composition can all be variables to consider. The only sure way to prevent dehydration and avoid exceeding the caffeine limit is to take the precautionary road and avoid energy drinks altogether.
Evidently there is a great lack of knowledge and enforcement of the rules and regulations on caffeine stimulants in the NCAA. Nevertheless, every collegiate athlete must take a personal responsibility. Become familiar with the banned substance list, and know what type of ingredients are in every beverage.
The next time you feel you need an energy boost before a big game or race, remember: Red Bull may give you wings, but it could fly you straight to the sidelines.
There is a particularly gray area with caffeine intake. The amount of caffeine you drink, the time you consume it and your body composition can all be variables to consider. The only sure way to prevent dehydration and avoid exceeding the caffeine limit is to take the precautionary road and avoid energy drinks altogether.
Evidently there is a great lack of knowledge and enforcement of the rules and regulations on caffeine stimulants in the NCAA. Nevertheless, every collegiate athlete must take a personal responsibility. Become familiar with the banned substance list, and know what type of ingredients are in every beverage.
The next time you feel you need an energy boost before a big game or race, remember: Red Bull may give you wings, but it could fly you straight to the sidelines.