ARGENTA - Red Bull may give you wings, but it could also give you heartburn and palpitations.

And if you're a teenager, it could damage your health.

Some 31 percent of American teens drink energy drinks, which can contain much more caffeine than a can of Coke or a cup of coffee. Drinking the occasional energy drink isn't the problem, but some teens guzzle can after can, which can perpetuate an unhealthy cycle and cause withdrawal if the teen suddenly stops.

In the Argenta-Oreana School District, energy drinks and sodas are missing from drink machines.

Two years ago, the district adopted a wellness policy to comply with state law and removed soda from school vending machines.

"We have made an effort to follow and exceed state requirements," Superintendent Damian Jones said. "The advantages were many as our students were provided healthier alternatives than soft drinks. The only drawback to this change was a loss of revenue as students have purchased fewer drinks, and a source of revenue for the kitchen program has declined."

High school students can choose from water, Propel, Gatorade, Lipton green tea and fruit juices. Middle school students can buy water and juice in the cafeteria.

A 2006 study found a spike in caffeine overdoses reported to a Chicago poison control center. During the three years prior to the report, 265 cases of caffeine abuse were reported.

Young adults who mix energy drinks with alcohol take an even greater risk because the caffeine masks the intoxicating effects of alcohol, and the drinker can ingest a fatal amount without realizing it until it's too late.

Drew Bardeleben, a senior at Lutheran School Association High School, doesn't especially like energy drinks, though he has one occasionally.

"It's almost more social," he said. "If someone else is doing it, I might, or if I want extra energy. Sometimes, I've had them and didn't feel a difference. It's like if you expect it to make a difference, it will."

Energy drinks cost a lot more than soda, too, he said. It's $3 or $4 for a can of Monster or 180, and they don't taste that great, either. He compared the taste to cough syrup.

"I'm trying to stop because of sports," he said. "I heard it was bad for you."

Classmate John Salogga agreed the drinks are too expensive and said he has them only once every two weeks or so.

"Most of the time, I won't buy them because they're expensive," he said.

It's not just the high caffeine content, but the high sugar content that concerns the medical community, said Robin Colby, coordinator of school health services for the Decatur School District.

Too much can cause stomach upset, sleep problems, headaches and jitters. In addition, one can of Red Bull contains 360 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin B6, 120 percent of the daily allowance of B12 and 140 percent for niacin, another B vitamin.

"It seems to me to be a little excessive," Colby said.

The energy drinks are not available in school vending machines or at concession stands at events, she said, and the district is phasing out soda. It's available only before and after school, while during the day, students have access to only water, juice and flavored teas.

Colby believes energy drinks are mostly just a fad, and their high cost and unsavory taste will give them a short popularity.

"I think when adults make a big issue of it, it actually makes students want it more," she said with a laugh. "The key is moderation in all things."

vwells@herald-review.com|421-7982