新奇事件簿 能量饮料或许对儿童有害（在线收听）

Energy drinks packed full of caffeine may be harmful for children. That’s the conclusion of a new report from the University of Miami. Study author Judith Schaechter said popular drinks like Red Bull and Monster Energy have no health benefits. Many of the ingredients used to make them are not regulated. Dr. Schaechter warned that children with conditions such as diabetes, mood swings and heart, kidney or liver diseases may have negative reactions to the drinks and could even die after drinking them. Report co-author Steven Lipshultz said: “Pediatricians need to be aware of the possible effects of energy drinks.” He advised that: “Toxicity surveillance should be improved and regulations of…sales…should be based on appropriate research assessing energy drink safety.”

含有咖啡因的能量饮料或许对儿童有害。这是迈阿密大学一份新报告得出的结论。研究作者Judith Schaechter表示，红牛和怪物高能饮料(Monster Energy)等受欢迎的饮料没有任何健康益处。制作这些饮料的许多成分没有进行监管。Schaechter博士警告称，患有糖尿病，情绪波动和心脏病，肾病或肝病的儿童可能会对这些饮料产生负面反应，甚至会在饮用这些饮料后死亡。报告联合作者Steven Lipshultz表示：“小儿科医师需要意识到能量饮料的可能影响。”他建议：“毒性检测应该加强，监管措施应该基于评估能量饮料安全性的恰当研究。”

Nearly a third of American children between the ages of 12 to 14 regularly buy these beverages. Sales are steadily rising in the U.S. from $6.5 billion in 2008 to $6.9 billion in 2009. Sales for 2010 are expected to be much higher. American teens say the drinks help them at school. Tracy Wong, 18, said she needs them because, “it pumps my system full of caffeine. That's why I have energy. Caffeine energizes you and keeps you awake." A Red Bull spokesman said: “Red Bull Energy Drink is available in over 160 countries because health authorities across the world have concluded that [it] is safe to consume.” However, it is banned in Germany and Taiwan for containing minute traces of cocaine.

近三分之一的12岁至14岁的美国儿童经常购买能量饮料。2008年至2009年间，美国能量饮料的销售额从65亿美元稳步上升至69亿美元。2010年的销售额将会更高。美国青少年表示，能量饮料对他们在学校的表现有所帮助。18岁的Tracy Wong表示她需要能量饮料，因为“它让我整个整个身体系统都充满咖啡因。我需要能量。咖啡因让你精力充沛，让你保持清醒。”红牛一名发言人表示：“160多个国家都能买到红牛能量饮料，因为全世界的卫生部门都得出结论，能量饮料是安全的。”然而，由于含有少许可卡因，德国和台湾禁止这种饮料。