The popularity of energy drinks is on the rise among adolescents and young adults, with consumption rates highest among males 18-34 years of age. 1 The energy drink industry is global and generates astonishing revenues, with 2014 sales reaching nearly $50 billion worldwide according to BeverageDaily.com. Energy drink users notice increased cognitive performance, enhanced mood, more physical energy and heightened wakefulness after consuming them, although these effects are temporary and controversial when mixed with alcohol. 2-3 On the other hand, there is some evidence pointing to harmful physiological and psychological effects from energy drink consumption.4 For instance, the caffeine mixed with other ingredients may produce symptoms such as insomnia, hyperactivity, rebound anxiety and risk-taking behaviors. A recent randomized, controlled
study in which subjects drank an energy drink or caffeinated control, both containing 320 mg of caffeine, found that ECG and blood pressure measurements were significantly worse in those consuming energy drinks. 5
Due to the serious nature of this important public health problem, we offer this brief overview to better inform you and promote discussions with your friends and family.
1. What Is an "Energy Drink"?
Energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages containing B vitamins, caffeine in concentrations similar to
strong coffee, a variety of herbal ingredients that can have both stimulant and anti-anxiety properties, and often large amounts of sugar. An energy drink typically contains large amounts of caffeine, added sugars, other additives, and stimulants such as guarana, taurine and L-carnitine. These stimulants can increase alertness, attention and energy, as well as increase blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
Although there are hundreds of different types of energy drinks on the market, the top sellers typically
include similar contents, with B vitamins, taurine, caffeine, sugar and glucoronolactore the most prominent ingredients. 5-6
2. Are Energy Drinks Regulated?
In the United States, energy drink companies, at their discretion, label products as either "beverages" or
"dietary supplements." If they choose the "beverages" designation, they are required to abide by the
Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) and label their drinks with conventional Nutrition
Facts panels. However, if they designate their products as dietary supplements, they must follow the
labeling requirements of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, and the requirements that go with this designation are significantly less stringent than for beverages.
As a result, most energy drink companies have classified their products as dietary supplements, which
allows them to bypass the FDA’s maximum caffeine limit for beverages (51 mg per 12 ounces). This limit is less than half the amount of caffeine per ounce found in the 10 top-selling energy drinks.
In response to energy drink-related deaths and pressure from lawmakers, most producers now list the main ingredients on each container. These drinks are sold in markets and convenience stores, and advertising promises enhanced performance, often using videos that depict extreme stunts performed by world-class athletes.
To the contrary, there is evidence that athletic performance requiring coordination and fine motor skills may actually be diminished by energy drinks. 5-6 In the United States, unfortunately, they are available in every state and there is no age limit to purchase them.
3. What Are the Potential Harms of Energy Drinks?
Sometimes a quick boost of caffeine and sugar may seem helpful in getting through the day, but there are health risks. Adverse effects related to caffeine include tachycardia, arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, anxiety, headache, insomnia, and nausea. 7 A number of risky behaviors associated with energy drink consumption have been identified, including risky motor-vehicle behaviors (e.g., failure to wear seat belts, choosing to drive while intoxicated), taking risks on a dare, smoking, binge drinking alcohol, sexual risk taking, and illicit drug abuse. 6,8
In addition to risks caused by even infrequent consumption, other risks include combining energy drinks
with other substances (e.g., alcohol, opiates or other stimulants) or binge drinking, which can lead to serious health consequences including death (i.e., thousands of emergency room visits per year are a result of binge drinking energy drinks).
A research analysis of 4,854 calls received by the National Poison Data System reported that 0.2 percent
was related to energy drink consumption and 46 percent of cases involved children less than 6 years of age. Moderate or major adverse effects included cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, hypertension and hyperthermia. 9 Some people may consider the risks of consuming energy drinks acceptable, but the likelihood of experiencing adverse consequences increases as the quantity and frequency of energy drink consumption increases.
4. What Can You Do?
You can share educational materials with patients who are currently using energy drinks or parents
of children, teens and young adults who consume them.
Educate people on healthy options for increasing their energy levels, such as eating a healthy diet that
includes omega-3 fats and minimizes sugars; getting a sufficient amount of sleep; regular exercise; and
reducing emotional stress.
5. What Resources Are Available to Educate You?
Increasingly, efforts are being initiated to regulate and inform the public about the potential harms and
abuses of energy drinks. Consider using the following resources to educate yourself and share:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an information page on energy drinks
that contains a downloadable infographic: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/energy.htm.
The Caffeine Informer website provides a list of the top 14 dangers of energy drinks: https://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drink-dangers.
References
1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Energy Drinks. U.S. Department
of Health & Human Services, National Institutes of Health, updated May 17, 2017.
2. Alford C, Cox H, Wescott R. The effects of red bull energy drink on human performance and mood.
Amino Acids, 2001;21:139-50.
3. Scholey AB, Kennedy DO. Cognitive and physiological effects of an ‘energy drink’: an evaluation of
the whole drink and of glucose, caffeine and herbal flavouring fractions. Psychopharmacol,
2004;176:320-30.
4. Ishak WW, Ugochukwu C, Bagot K, Khalili D, Zaky C. Energy drinks: psychological effects and
impact on well-being and quality of life - a literature review. Innov Clin Neurosci, 2012 Jan;
9(1):25-34.
5. Fletcher EA, Lacey CS, Aaron M, et al. Randomized controlled trial of high-volume energy drink
versus caffeine consumption on ECG and hemodynamic parameters. JAHA, 2017;6:e004448.
6. Woolsey CL, Barnes LB, Jacobson BH, et al. Frequency of energy drink use predicts illicit prescription
stimulant use. Subst Abus, 2014;35(1):96-103.
7. Higgins JP, Tuttle TD, Higgins CL. Energy Beverages: Content and Safety. Mayo Clinic Proceed.
2010;85(11):1033-1041.
8. Woolsey CL, Williams RD Jr, Housman JM, et al. Combined use of alcohol and energy drinks
increases participation in high-risk drinking and driving behaviors among college students. J Stud
Alcohol Drugs, 2015 Jul;76(4):615-9.
9. Seifert SM, Seifert SA, Schaechter JL, et al. An analysis of energy-drink toxicity in the National
Poison Data System. Clin Toxicol, 2013 Aug; 51(7):566-74.