1 . Can energy drinks really make you energetic? A survey, by Cancer Council Australia among more than 9000 students across the country, found teenagers who were bitten by the energy drinks bug and drank energy drinks at least once a day were twice as likely to get less than eight hours’ sleep on school night than those who didn’t.
The same survey found one in six teenagers take in at least 5.2kg of sugar each year from sugary drinks alone. “This can lead to weight gain and obesity, increasing the risk of heart and kidney disease, type2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers,” Mr Sinclair said, who led the survey. Craig Sinclair, head of Rethink Sugary Drink, said the levels of sugar in energy drinks are very high, causing teenagers to put on weight.
The survey also found the caffeine (咖啡因) levels of the drinks is also high and this could explain the survey results on their effect on teenage sleep. Energy drinks contain 160mg of caffeine, more than twice as much as a cup of coffee or a 500ml bottle of cola, Mr Sinclair said. The Sleep Health Foundation says teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep, more than an adult, because their bodies and cognition are growing rapidly. Sleep is important for teen mental health and the US Sleep Foundation says shortage of sleep can contribute to acne, bad behaviour and unhealthy eating habits. Associate Professor Matthew Hopcraft from the Australian Dental Association Victoria said energy drinks are also a major contributing factor to tooth decay and tooth erosion.
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital heart doctor Professor Chris Semsarian has tested the effects of energy drinks on the heart and said they can lead to an increased heart rate and irregular heart beat. “Caffeine is not the only stimulant (兴奋剂) part of these drinks, most also have guarana which is also a stimulant,” he said. Energy drinks have been related to scores of deaths around the world because of their high caffeine content.
1. What does the underlined phrase “bitten by the energy drink bug”?
| A．Tired of energy drinks. | B．Equipped with energy drinks. |
| C．Fascinated by energy drinks. | D．Attacked by an insect in energy drinks. |
2. According to the survey, what caused teenagers fond of drinking energy drinks not to sleep enough?
| A．The high levels of caffeine. | B．The high levels of sugar. |
| C．The high levels of alcohol. | D．The shortage of exercise. |
3. What effects do energy drinks have on the heart, according to Professor Chris Semsarian?
| A．They can bring about decreased heart rate. |
| B．They can result in blood pressure rising. |
| C．They can lead to heart stopping working. |
| D．They can contribute to heart beating irregularly. |
4. What would be the best title for the text?
| A．Energy Drinks’ Functions | B．Energy Drinks’ Harmful Effects |
| C．Energy Drinks’ Effect on Sleep | D．Different Opinions of Energy Drinks |
