KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsEnergy drinks rising in popularity and concerns

Energy drinks rising in popularity and concerns

AMARILLO, Texas - A new energy product some are calling a "club drug" is raising concerns similar to "Four Loko." They not only pack caffeine, but also possible health risks.

Aeroshot is one of the latest in the growing trend of energy products. It works like an inhaler, packs a punch of caffeine similar to a cup of coffee and is catching high school and college students attention.

Dr. Pradeep Racherla is an assistant professor of marketing at West Texas A&M University and acknowledges the signs that the energy drink may be targeting it's product to a younger audience.

"The names are pretty catchy. If you see the cans of energy drinks you will see that they are very catchy, too," Racherla said. "They're not saying it. Yet, all of the pictures point to young people or working people."

Right now, you can buy it online and, later this month, it will turn up on shelves in places like New York and Washington, where it can easily get into the hands of college students.

It's raising concerns about what could happen it is mixed with alcoholic drinks similar to what happened with Four Loko.

Health experts are also concerned about the more concentrated forms energy products are coming in. Fitness Lounge owner and nutritionist Sabrina Smith says to also be familiar with what's on the label.

"I definitely make sure that my clients and my members know that they actually make sure they know what's on the label and how to read the label so the more ingredients in a product and you don't know how to pronounce it or what's actually in it," Smith said. "You don't know how it's going to break down in your body and how your body is going to actually use it."