After I was 11, I used to be launched to caffeinated drinks, particularly Rockstar Power Drinks and Redbulls. Every time I had pocket cash mendacity round, I might exit and get an abundance of those vitality drinks. However lately, I seen that consuming quite a lot of these drinks has triggered me to have difficulties with emotional regulation. So I’ve been making an effort to attempt to cut back the quantity of caffeine that I soak up by limiting myself to solely espresso or drinks with decrease caffeine ranges, similar to Coke. But it surely bought me considering: Do different folks on the autism spectrum have sensitivities to caffeine? How can neurodivergent folks, together with autistic folks, enhance their emotional regulation abilities and general well being by reducing the quantity of caffeine that they eat repeatedly?
Let’s begin with what we find out about what makes up an vitality drink. After all, everyone knows that there’s no hyperlink between autism being brought on by caffeine and small quantities of caffeine are OK, so a cup of espresso from time to time or perhaps a can of Coca-Cola shouldn’t be too dangerous. However the place issues begin to be dangerous is with caffeinated vitality drinks. The components for the favored vitality drink model Celsius, embody Taurine, Calcium Carbonate, Ascorbic Acid, and even Glucuronolactone, whose results haven’t been totally researched but. By consuming these drinks, particularly in bigger quantities, we have gotten human guinea pigs subjected to an experiment that probably may put our well being at risk. However the info about vitality drinks and autism don’t cease there.
Primarily based by myself experiences with vitality drinks, I’ve discovered that they’ll make these on the spectrum extraordinarily anxious and irritated. Whereas one can argue that it will depend on the amount consumed and the person, there’s no denying that there must be warnings put in place for people on the spectrum, so that they know the dangers of consuming these drinks. One of many areas I discover after I eat massive parts of those drinks is my capacity to control my feelings is considerably hindered. Whereas some analysis has proven that espresso in small quantities may be calming for these on the spectrum, vitality drinks must be extra neurodivergent-friendly and have safer components to make sure these on the spectrum can nonetheless regulate their feelings. However there’s additionally one other issue to contemplate when approaching autism and vitality drinks.
A few of these drinks have the potential to be deadly if consumed in massive quantities. In 2017, Davis Allen Cripe, a 16-year-old boy from South Carolina, died from a caffeine overdose after ingesting a espresso, Mountain Dew, and an vitality drink over the course of two hours. In 2021, Thomas Manfield, a 29-year-old from England, died after ingesting a portion of caffeine powder that was the equal of over 200 cups of espresso. But it surely will get worse: Sweden, Italy, Japan, and Germany have a few of the highest caffeine overdose dying charges on this planet, with Sweden having 24 a 12 months. Not solely do these drinks hinder the emotional regulation skills of these on the spectrum, however in case you’re not cautious, vitality drinks may be deadly.
That’s to not say you’ll be able to’t have an vitality drink as soon as a month. Treating your self to your favourite snack or drink may be a good way to reward your self for doing one thing nice. You need to simply be sure to don’t drink too many of those drinks so usually. Like all issues, vitality drinks may be dangerous for you. However moderately, they could be a nice deal with.
Power drinks corporations also needs to make their drinks extra neurodivergent pleasant, so folks with autism can correctly get pleasure from them. As a substitute of utilizing chemical substances and preservatives to make their drinks style good, corporations ought to make sure that they use solely all-natural components to make their drinks a more healthy choice. Here’s a hypothetical recipe that I suggest as a normal for a more healthy vitality drink:
1. One cup of inexperienced tea
2. One tablespoon of turmeric powder
3. One teaspoon of pure honey
4. A squeeze of lemon for style.
This easy four-ingredient recipe would make sure that vitality drinks are extra neurodivergent-friendly and, most significantly, safer for folks to eat. If there’s a more healthy method for folks on the spectrum and past to get the vitality they should begin the day with none pointless dangers or hindrances to their emotional regulation skills, then we must always take the chance to make sure that we’re happier and more healthy.
Kadin is a school scholar, author, and activist who’s on a mission to assist folks higher perceive Autism. All through his life, he was instructed he wouldn’t achieve success as a result of he was on the spectrum. However time and time once more, he proved the naysayers incorrect. His purpose in life is to encourage folks together with his story and assist carry consideration to Autism on this planet.