Last year over 20'000 visited emergency room for issues related to energy drinks. There have been many reports and studies published regarding energy drinks. Do the risks outweigh the benefits?
The manufacturers promise increased energy and improved concentration; and their sales continue to soar. Available everywhere--from gas stations, variety stores, bars, and gyms.
There are an increasing number of warnings from health care professionals, however, warnings that energy drinks have negative side effects, especially on young people.
The Allegations:
A recent study entitled "The Dawn Report," noted a doubling in a five-year period of the number of emergency room visits linked to energy drinks--most of those involved people between 18 & 39.
The manufacturers of popular energy drinks rejected the study produced by the Drug Abuse Warning Network. Health Care professional, however, are urging caution when using energy drinks, notign the potential danger of combingin them with other substances, or consuming them under extreme conditions.
Most energy drinks, including such popular brands as Red Bull and Monster, are highly caffeinated, and are marketed as a means of increasing energy. "Energy" drinks are different than sports drinks, such as Gatorade or Powerade that carbohydrates (sugar) and electrolytes as their main ingrediants.
Health care professional are not only concerned about the high amounts of caffeine in energy drinks, but also other ingrediants including taurine, guarana, and creatine.
The amount of caffeine in most energy drinks ranges from 72mg to 150mg in 8 ounces--most cans sold are larger 12 ounce containers, and can have 294mg of caffeine. And don't think the "shots" are any better, as their caffeine concentrations are even higher.
The Rebuttal
Makers of many of these energy drinks have stressed that there is no proof their beverages are responsible for injuries or deaths.
Monster Beverage Corp., maker of Monster Energy, said in a statement that "The DAWN Report" is "highly misleading" and does not prove that the drinks are unsafe.
The association also criticized the report for comparing the amount of caffeine in energy drinks to that of a 5-ounce cup of coffee. The report states that 5 ounces of coffee typically contains about 100 mg of caffeine, while the amount of caffeine in energy drinks can range from 80 mg to 500 mg.
Monster Beverage Corp., maker of Monster Energy, said in a statement that "The DAWN Report" is "highly misleading" and does not prove that the drinks are unsafe.
The association also criticized the report for comparing the amount of caffeine in energy drinks to that of a 5-ounce cup of coffee. The report states that 5 ounces of coffee typically contains about 100 mg of caffeine, while the amount of caffeine in energy drinks can range from 80 mg to 500 mg.
Health Professionals’ View
Dr. Jane Sadler, a family physician at Baylor Medical Center at North Garland, in Garland, Texas, said one problem with energy drinks is that they often are consumed in highly concentrated forms, in short periods of time and in ways not intended by the manufacturer.
Sadler, whose undergraduate degree is in exercise technology, said she has seen numerous patients -- often young, healthy, athletic people -- showing symptoms such as chest pains or high blood pressure after using energy drinks.
Sadler, whose undergraduate degree is in exercise technology, said she has seen numerous patients -- often young, healthy, athletic people -- showing symptoms such as chest pains or high blood pressure after using energy drinks.
“One of the problems is that these energy drinks are downed with such rapidity, often on an empty stomach, that they act like a bolus,” Sadler said, referring to a large amount of a medical substance given in a short period of time to produce the maximum effect. This can overwhelm the brain and body, she said.
In extreme cases, convulsions and even heart attacks have been attributed to consumption of large amounts of caffeine.
“People need to remember that when you exercise, you are often pushing your heart to its limits,” she said. “When you start putting in chemicals that are also stressing your heart and body, the results can be unpredictable.”
Meridan Zerner, a registered dietitian at Cooper Clinic in Dallas, said the main issue with energy drinks is that “a lot of them have a whopping dose of caffeine.” Cooper Clinic recommends that adults consume less than 200 mg of caffeine a day.
“There are so many unknown possible consequences that come from caffeine and other supplements, some of which are unregulated, that I believe the risks outweigh the benefits,” she said.
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