West Virginia parents may be surprised to learn that the consumption of energy drinks may be linked to traumatic brain injuries in teenagers. According to a study published in a peer-reviewed journal, teens who incurred a traumatic brain injury within the previous 12 months were more than seven times more likely to have consumed five or more energy drinks in the prior week than those without a history of brain injuries.

Researchers say they had previously known of a link between the consumption of energy drinks or energy drinks laced with alcohol and general injuries. However, the discovery of an association between the beverages and traumatic brain injuries is new. These types of injuries in teens are particularly troubling because their brains have not yet fully developed.

Teenage athletes are attracted to energy drinks because they contain stimulants that produce temporary benefits, including improved mood, a boost in alertness and enhanced physical and mental performance. Energy drinks also often feature well-known athletes in advertisements, which increases their popularity among active teens.

In addition to being linked to brain injuries, energy drinks reportedly have a negative impact on the behavior of students in school. Researchers fear that parents may not be aware that the potent stimulants in the drinks cause a buzz.

A traumatic brain injury could require weeks or months of recovery time. In some cases, it may leave a victim permanently disabled. A West Virginia resident who suffers a brain injury caused by the negligence of another party may wish to speak with an attorney to determine the recourse that may be available for seeking compensation.