Mormons’ stance on energy drinks not phased by church statement

The annual Red Bull Chariot Race at Utah State University was held Monday on 800 East across from the HYPER field. At the event, audience members sipped free Red Bull Energy Drinks as they watched contestants race chariots on a figure-eight course.

One 8.4 fl oz can of Red Bull contains 80 mg of caffeine. Early in the fall semester of 2012 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the dominant religion among Utah State students, released a statement that it does not prohibit the use of caffeine among its members. The church did reaffirm that coffee and tea are still not to be drank by members, though.

Brigham Young University, a private university operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Provo, Utah, does not sell any caffeine on its campus. After the Mormon Church’s statement regarding the substance, students at BYU’s campus have begun campaigning for caffeine to be brought on to campus.

At USU, students are relatively unaffected by the new clarification. The university’s dining halls both already serve caffeinated sodas such as Coca-Cola and Mountain Dew.

Many students said that the statement didn’t change their preexisting opinion on caffeinated drinks and energy drinks, which they said are more based on health reasons that religious reasons.

Tessa Nicolaides, a Mormon junior at Utah State, said she has always thought energy drinks were unhealthy.

“I never thought they were got, regardless of what the church said on the matter,” she said. “I just think that a ton of caffeine is not good for you.”

Some students brought up that energy drinks in particular are a way for people to change the way the act and feel, whether for good or bad.

“I think they are so popular in Utah because it's almost like carrying around a beer,” said Heidi Smith, a  It's a substance that slightly alters some ones mood, and the closest some people get to being drunk

Ronnie Keller, a freshman at USU who is preparing to leave on a two-year mission for the LDS church, said it’s because of the altered state of being they cause that he chooses not to partake of energy drinks.

“When I was a kid and told my mom I wanted to buy an energy drink, she asked why and I said it was because I liked the way it made me feel,” he said. “She told me my uncle had liked the way alcohol made him feel, and he became an alcoholic and committed suicide. That really stuck with me.”

Keller said he tries to just be himself and avoid things that alter the way his brain works.

A returned missionary and Utah State sophomore, Matt Kearl said he doesn’t think there’s a problem with energy drinks unless you use them in excess.

“It’s the same with anything else,” he said. “If you eat a ridiculous amount of popcorn, it’s horrible for you. Moderation is the key. I think energy drinks are fine once in a while when you need a little boost.”

Keller agreed, saying he wanted to avoid relying on substances to get by.

“If people drink them I have no problem with that. I just don’t want to get hooked,” he said. “Sleep is key. Energy drinks can’t substitute for that forever. It will eventually catch up to you.”