Article: One or two energy drinks per day is probably safe for the average healthy adult, but those with certain medical conditions should take additional precautions before using them.  In particular, if you have heart disease, another cardiac condition, or high blood pressure, you should consult your doctor first.  If you experience irritability, nervousness, insomnia, a rapid heartbeat, or elevated blood pressure after a single energy drink, you may have a heightened caffeine sensitivity or another condition worthy of your concern.  Talk to your doctor before trying energy drinks again. If you are using energy drinks regularly because of persistent problems with low energy, you may have a sleep disorder or one of many potentially harmful medical conditions.  Contact your physician for a check-up. Always remember that you will get more consistent, lasting, healthier energy by getting enough sleep and eating properly than by chugging down energy drinks.  Energy drinks give you a short burst of energy that will not last, while proper rest and nutrition will keep you going through the day without "crashing out."   This wikiHow article offers some useful information on the importance of sufficient sleep (seven to nine hours per night for the typical adult) and how to make sure you get it. According to the the most recent dietary guidelines, you should avoid added sugars and derive steady energy from a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Anyone who is or has recently been pregnant knows that there are a host of nutritional precautions that need to be taken in order to protect your health and that of the fetus.  Excessive caffeine intake, for example, can cause cardiac irregularities in the fetus directly, or in the mother (at the risk of both her and the fetus). Some experts and mothers-to-be still believe in swearing off caffeine completely during pregnancy, but studies indicate that a reduced daily caffeine intake is generally of no concern for both mother and child.  Stick to less than 200 mg of caffeine per day, or the amount recommended by your OBGYN. Teenagers make up a sizable percentage of the energy drink market, likely due to the “coolness” factor as much as the energy boost.  Caffeine and the other ingredients common to energy drinks are not inherently dangerous to children, but should be ingested in lesser amounts than the maximums recommended for grown adults. Because energy drinks have no nutritional or therapeutic benefit, can contain unknown ingredients, and have not been subjected to long-term studies regarding their effect on children, the safest measure is to have children entirely avoid consuming them.  Most children and teens should not lack for energy anyway, unless they are not getting enough sleep or are suffering from a medical condition that requires attention. Some people choose to skip the pre-mixed energy drinks and try to make their own.  Powdered caffeine can be purchased as a dietary supplement and is in theory just as safe in that form as it is when pre-mixed in beverages.  However, there is no guarantee that only caffeine is in the powder, and a slight measuring error can move your caffeine intake into dangerous territory.  The FDA has in fact issued warnings about using caffeine powder, because of the ease by which an inaccurate home measurement can lead to a dangerous overdose.  Unless you are confident about the quality of the product and very precise in your dosing, it is probably best to avoid using caffeine powder. For their own safety, it is advisable to prevent teens from using caffeine powder. As with most foods, drugs, and supplements, moderation is the operative word when dealing with energy drinks.  If you can do without them, that is probably your safest, healthiest choice; however, if you do choose to consume them in moderation and don’t have existing risk factors, you don’t need to feel as though you are risking your health by drinking one.  Ideally, you should rely on a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep to provide you with the energy you need to get through the day.  Black coffee is probably your next best option, because it is low in calories and ingredients. More oversight to ensure that energy drinks contain what they claim to contain may be warranted, but calls for them to be banned or heavily regulated because they are a serious health hazard are excessive based on current evidence.  If you make smart, informed choices, you can drink energy drinks safely.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Talk to your doctor if you have underlying health conditions. Don't use energy drinks to replace adequate sleep or proper nutrition. Limit your energy drink intake if you are pregnant or nursing. Limit or eliminate consumption by kids and teens. Think twice about using caffeine powder. Use energy drinks wisely, but don’t overreact to unsubstantiated fears.