Middlebury Is Banning Energy Drinks

Energy drinks photo by Daniel Jurena via Flickr/Creative Commons

Beginning March 7, you probably won’t find Middlebury College students downing energy drinks as they study for exams.

The Vermont college is prohibiting the sale of drinks like Red Bull and 5-Hour Energy at its on-campus retail locations, citing their connection to “high-risk sexual activity,” “increased alcohol consumption,” and “increased likelihood to drive while intoxicated,” in a flier distributed to students. The flier also notes that highly caffeinated drinks are tied to “a culture of stress” and poor overall health.

Though some voiced their support for the move, many Midd Kids have, predictably, not reacted well. “There are more important things for them to address,” senior Arnav Adhikari told NBC News. “And what do energy drinks have to do with sexual activity?”

Though there is some research to support the school’s claims, the studies have not proven causation. Scientists behind a 2015 study on the topic, for example, wrote that more research is required to determine if consuming energy drinks actually precedes certain activities, or if people engaging in risky behaviors anyway are just more likely to fuel their bacchanalia with a Monster.

Drinking fewer sugar-packed energy drinks certainly isn’t a bad outcome from a health standpoint. But since the beverages will still be sold off campus—and since kegs will still abound—Middlebury may be fighting a losing battle.