The phrase “choose your poison,” a common English idiom, refers to one choosing between two horrible options or the choice of an alcoholic beverage. The consequences of sugary drinks and energy drinks should also be transposed into the hyperbolic definition of “little poison”. Some of the most common ingredients in sugary/energy drinks are known to cause heart and thyroid problems; weaken the immune system; cause dizziness, headache and drowsiness; damage the reproductive system, leading to sterility; and a host of others. Stress, anxiety, and sleep problems are some of the top complaints college-aged energy drink consumers complain about (Stasio et al.). Sugary/energy drinks are prevalent among students, both high school and college age. Ninety percent of these consumers are blind to the “dangerous effects” of the drinks they consume (Attila and Cakir), innocently poisoning their bodies. Students need to be better informed about the risks of their decisions to consume these toxic drinks to prevent health problems and encourage more nutritious lifestyles. High fructose corn syrup is known to proliferate uric acid levels; it can also increase lactic acid levels (Buist), which leads to muscle cramps. Corn syrup intake creates a higher risk of heart disease. It also produces “oxidative damage” to the body, depriving cells of oxygen, which in turn accelerates the aging process (Buist). Fructose is broken down by the liver, so the liver must stop producing insulin to break down the sugar. This can lead to diabetes and weight gain. High fructose corn syrup also prevents the breakdown of copper, which can also lead to diabetes, heart attacks, and thyroid problems (Buist). Ingesting this sugar......middle of paper......al Has Cloudy Health History."Environmental Health News. Environmental Health Sciences, December 12, 2011. Web. March 13, 2014."Medicines in My Home: Caffeine and Your Body." U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Fall 2007. Web. March 12, 2014. Pettit, Michele L., and Kathy A. DeBarr. "Perceived Stress, Energy Drink Consumption, and Academic Performance Among College Students. " Academic research completed. EBSCO, April-May 2011. Web. April 14, 2014. Stasio, Michael J., Kim Curry, Alexandra L. Wagener, and Destinee M. Glassman. "Revving Up and Keeping Up: Beverage Use Energy Drinks Associated with Anxiety and Sleep Quality in a College Sample." Academic research completed. EBSCO, December 1, 2011. Web. April 14, 2014. Taddeo, Danielle, Johanne Harvey, and Ariane Boutine. "Health Hazards Related to Energy Drinks: Are Are we looking for them?" Academic search completed. EBSCO, February 2012. Web. April 14. 2015.