As concerns over the safety of energy
drinks continue to grow, a study outlines the recent
evidence regarding the content, benefits, and risks of the
beverages that is popular.
Are energy drinks fatally caffeinated?
What do the beverages contain that could pose a
health hazard?
Studies also don't support all of the claims made
by the manufacturers on some of the other
ingredients' ability to maintain energy. The study
authors broke down the most common ingredients
found in energy drinks: caffeine, guarana, taurine,
ginseng, sugars and B vitamins and why they
might be problematic.
Caffeine
This is the primary ingredient in energy drinks, and its
levels can vary widely. Energy drinks do not fall under the
same regulatory category as sodas and often have higher
levels of the stimulant than indicated.
For comparison, a 6.5-ounce cup of coffee contains 80 to
120 milligrams of caffeine, tea has about 50 mg, and a 12-
ounce cola cannot have more than 65 mg. Energy drinks
have significantly higher amounts, with the most well-
known brands containing anywhere from 154 mg in a 16-
ounce Red Bull to 505 mg in a 24-ounce Wired X505.
There is no official recommended limit for the amount of
caffeine a person can consume, but excessive caffeine has
been linked to a variety of adverse effects such as high
blood pressure, premature birth and possibly sudden death.
Guarana
Also known as Brazilian cocoa, guarana is a plant from
South America that contains a caffeine compound called
guaranine. One gram of guarana is equal to 40 mg of
caffeine. But even if it's in energy drinks, it's typically not
included in the total caffeine tally.
"In reality, when a drink is said to contain caffeine plus
guarana, it contains caffeine plus more caffeine," the
authors write. The FDA has not assessed guarana, so its
risks and benefits remain unknown.
Sugars
The sugar content in energy drinks ranges from 21 grams
to 34 grams per 8 ounces, and can come in the form of
sucrose, glucose, or high fructose corn syrup.
"Users who consume two or three energy drinks could be
taking in 120 mg to 180 mg of sugar, which is 4 to 6 times
the maximum recommended daily intake," the authors
write, noting that adolescents who consume energy drinks
could be at risk for obesity and dental problems.
Taurine
As one of the most common amino acids in the body,
taurine can support brain development and regulate the
body's mineral and water levels, and could even improve
athletic performance. It's found naturally in meat, seafood
and milk.
The study authors say the amount of taurine consumed
from energy drinks is higher than that in a normal diet. As
of yet, there is no evidence this is unhealthy, but there is
also no evidence that consuming large amounts is
beneficial for the human body.
"Some energy drinks (contain) super-physiologic amounts
of these ingredients, embracing the mantra 'more is better.'
I'm not sure this mantra should necessarily apply," says
study author Dr. Kwabena Blankson, an Air Force
pediatrician specializing in teen medicine at Portsmouth
Naval Medical Center.
"Many energy drink ingredients that are 'healthy' are
vitamins or minerals you probably get even if you don't eat
the most balanced diet. American foods are heavily
fortified. For the average consumer, energy drinks don't
even tell you how much of these special ingredients you
are getting, couching the quantities behind the term
'proprietary blend' or 'energy blend.'"
TIME.com: 5-Hour Energy cited in 13 deaths and
'spontaneous abortion'
Ginseng
There are claims that ginseng boosts athletic performance,
strengthens the immune system and improves mood. But
the authors say there is little proof of this, and there isn't
enough ginseng in energy drinks to offer any benefit. The
root has also been linked to increased risk of insomnia,
headache and hypertension.
"Ginseng should be used cautiously, as it can cause
undesirable side effects in high doses and may even be
dangerous when taken with certain medicines or if the
patient is undergoing surgery," according to the American
Cancer Society.
B vitamins and other additives
Studies suggest that B vitamins can improve mood and
even fight heart disease and cancer, but the amount
contained in each energy drink isn't enough to have any
meaningful effect.
There are also a number of other additives that the authors
say need further study. "I was surprised by the profound
lack of science supporting the benefit of ingesting some
these ingredients such as carnitine, Yohimbe, and bitter
orange," says Blankson.
"Adolescent consumers have no idea what these
ingredients do. They assume that because they can easily
buy it off the shelf that it must be safe for them." The fact
is, however, that there isn't much scientific evidence on
the risks or benefits of these additives -- and very little is
known about the effects of daily energy drink consumption
over the long term.
The study also highlights the fact that many teens mix
their energy drinks with alcohol, which can mask the
effects of alcohol and give drinkers the impression they've
consumed less than they have.
Given the lack of knowledge about how energy drinks and
alcohol interact, as well as how the beverages mix with
medications and antidepressants, the researchers also urge
physicians to be aware of energy drink consumption,
particularly among teens, and suggest educating patients
and parents on the potential consequences of making
energy drinks a regular habit.
This story was originally published on TIME.com.
More adolescents are
downing energy
drinks, according to a
new study
Levels of caffeine in
the drinks can vary
widely
High levels of sugar
are also found in
energy drinks
Mixing energy drinks
and alcohol is not
recommended


edition.cnn.com/2013/02/06/health/time-energy-drink/