Energy drinks have become a pretty common trend at Potosi High School, especially for athletes getting ready for games, practices, or workouts. A lot of students use them for a quick boost of energy, thinking it will help them perform better. According to coaches, there are mixed opinions on whether energy drinks actually help or if they cause more problems than people realize.
Coach Eastlick said he has used energy drinks in the past, but doesn’t anymore because of some of the concerns he has about them. He explained that while they can help certain people push themselves harder, they are definitely not for everyone. “They can help people who are really pushing themselves, but they’re not for everybody,” he said.
One of his biggest concerns is how energy drinks are made and what’s actually in them. “A lot of it isn’t very clean. It’s made in a factory, and that’s something that concerns me,” he said. Because of that, he now sticks to coffee instead, since it is more natural. He also mentioned that energy drinks can be expensive for students and are often pushed heavily through advertising. In his opinion, younger athletes don’t really need them and could get energy in better ways. “There are better options like fruit or even honey before a workout,” he said.
Aaron Edge had a different view. He still uses energy drinks, especially before lifting or in the morning when he needs a boost. He said, “I drink one in the morning or before I work out because it gives me a kick to get an extra good workout. I need to make sure to use them correctly so I don’t experience the concerns [related to] them.” He added that it helps him feel more ready. However, he also admitted that there are downsides to using them. He said that sometimes they make his heart beat way too fast and can even make him feel itchy, which shows they don’t always react well with the body. Because of this, he tries to be careful about when he drinks them and avoids having one later in the day. He also mentioned that he has tried using amino energy powder as an alternative, which he feels is a better option for him. His experience shows that while some athletes use energy drinks regularly, they are still aware of the negatives and try to find other options.
Mr. Uppena talked about energy drinks more neutrally and said he doesn’t know everything about them, but still has some concerns. He mentioned that there are a lot of different kinds out there and that some people think they are fine, while others don’t. He said the caffeine intake can affect your heart and that increasing your heart rate too much could be risky, but he also made it clear that it depends on the person. He didn’t strongly recommend them, but also didn’t completely shut them down either. He did say that some athletes might think they need them to perform better, even if it’s more of a mental issue than physical. His opinion was that it is up to the athlete, but they should be careful and not overdo it.
Mr. Seigert shared a more neutral opinion as well, saying that energy drinks can have benefits if they are used correctly, but the real issue is overuse. He emphasized that moderation is extremely important and that problems start when athletes rely on them too much. He explained that drinking too much caffeine before a game or workout can actually hurt performance instead of helping. “You get that boost, but when it wears off, your performance can drop,” he said.
He also talked about how important it is for athletes to understand what they are putting into their bodies. “Look at the ingredients and know what you’re putting into your body,” he said. Another concern he mentioned was that over time, athletes can build a tolerance, meaning they need more and more to get the same effect.
Across all the interviews, one thing that stood out was the concern about how energy drinks affect athletes over time, both physically and mentally. Coaches mentioned issues like dehydration, increased heart rate, and relying too much on stimulants. Some athletes may start to feel like they need an energy drink just to perform well, even if the effect is mostly in their head. This kind of thinking can be a problem because it takes away from focusing on real habits like training, eating right, and getting enough sleep.
Coaches also talked about safer and more natural alternatives that athletes can use instead of energy drinks. Coffee, amino energy powders, fruit, and even honey were all mentioned as better ways to get energy before workouts. These options can still give a boost, but don’t come with as many negative side effects. On top of that, many coaches agreed that the most important things for energy and performance are simple habits like staying hydrated, eating properly, and getting enough rest.
Another big issue that came up was how energy drinks are marketed, especially toward younger athletes. Coach Eastlick said, “It’s really a marketing scheme,” explaining that companies are trying to sell the idea that athletes need these drinks to perform better. Coaches believe that a lot of students buy into this idea because they want any advantage they think they can get. Mr. Seigert also pointed out that companies are targeting younger athletes who are looking for a competitive edge, even if there isn’t really a shortcut to better performance.
While energy drinks might give athletes a quick burst of energy, most coaches at Potosi High School agree that they should be used carefully, if at all. There are many risks, especially for younger athletes. In the end, the message from coaches is clear: focusing on healthy habits like proper nutrition, hydration, and rest is a much better way to improve performance than relying on energy drinks.