Energy is a hot commodity these days. Consumers are drawn to products promoted as energy boosters, from bars to balls, and a lot of drinks. Energy drink sales alone in the U.S. steadily increased between 2015 and 2018, with annual sales over $3 million.

Are the risks of energy drinks greater than the rewards? That seems to be the conclusion of a new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. Scientists found that the energy drinks changed the electrical activity of the participants’ hearts, and raised their blood pressure. But the changes are generally considered mild. However, the study authors say that for people with heart conditions, or those on certain medications, having energy drinks could increase the risk.

In previous research, drinking energy drinks has been tied to side effects including elevated blood pressure, irregular heart beat, seizures, stroke, and heart attack. One study suggested that for healthy young adults, energy drink may be bad for blood function.

One problem with energy drinks is that they often contain caffeine, in addition to one or more additional stimulants. They can have a synergistic interaction with caffeine, meaning the combined effect is greater than the impact of each alone.

I don’t recommend energy drinks for anyone, including athletes and healthy young adults. In addition to the potential adverse effects, energy drinks can “help” deal with fatigue, which is the signal that your body is out of balance.

When it comes to your energy level, some of the most important factors are sleep, nutrition, hydration, stress management, and physical activity. Even small shifts can make a difference. 

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1.What’s the Chinese meaning of the underlined word “synergistic” in Paragraph Four？

A 频繁的.

B 协同的.

C 友好的.

D 刺激的.

解析：选B。B 词义猜测题。第四段They can have a synergistic interaction with caffeine, meaning the combined effect is greater than the impact of each alone.“它们会和咖啡产生协同作用，也就是说，这些成分的组合效果远大于单独效果。”通过combined effect可推测，这种作用应该是“一起的，协同的”，故选B。

2.Which of the following is NOT a healthy way to gain our energy?

A Having enough sleep.

B Supplying nutrition.

C Drinking alcohol and coffee.

D Managing our stress.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据最后一段When it comes to your energy level, some of the most important factors are sleep, nutrition, hydration, stress management, and physical activity.可知，影响能量水平的最重要的因素包括：睡眠、营养、补水、压力管理和身体活动，故选C。

3.What is the author’s writing purpose?

A To introduce the development of energy drinks in America.

B To analyze consumer groups of energy drinks, and do a marketing promotion.

C To call for keeping away from energy drinks and seeking a healthier ways to gain energy.

D To discuss the relationship between energy drinks and heart problems.

解析：选C。C 目的意图题。通过研究分析能量饮料和心脏问题之间的关系，作者呼吁大家理性对待能量饮料，寻求更健康的生活方式。从最后两段也可推测作者的意愿和呼吁，故选C。

4.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A American energy drinks consumption is gradually increasing from 2015 to 2018.

B Energy drinks don’t contain caffeine, but contain one or more stimulants.

C Energy drinks can raise people’s blood pressure.

D Energy drinks can “help” to fight fatigue, which shows our body is out of balance.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第四段第一句One problem with energy drinks is that they often contain caffeine, in addition to one or more additional stimulants. 可知，能量饮料是含有咖啡因的，故选B。