ENERGY DRINKS
by Kim McCorquodale, RD

Energy drinks have become a rapidly growing phenomenon consumed by most children and young adults at least occasionally, and sometimes in large amounts. I'll start with a few industry facts gathered from an associated press article published in the Yakima, WA Herald on 10/31/06. At that time the energy drinks industry:

• Was a $3.4 billion/year industry
• Had sales grow by 80% in the previous year
• Produced beverages that were consumed by 31% of U.S. teens. This equaled 7.6 million teens (up 3 million in 3 years).
• Introduced 500 new drinks worldwide
• Designed advertising to target males in their teens and early 20s
• Was (and still is) unregulated; some are suggesting warning labels

It was difficult to find reliable research on the health effects of energy drinks. I was able to locate one good source: A Review of the Health Effects of Stimulant Drinks- Final Report (1). This report was produced by a panel of experts convened by the Food Safety Promotion Board of Ireland. This group was called the Stimulant Drink Committee, and reviewed research concerning the health effects of stimulant drinks (their term for energy drinks). The committee's definition of energy drinks was "beverages which typically contain caffeine, taurine and vitamin(s), and may contain an energy source (e.g. carbohydrates), and/or other substance(s), marketed for the specific purpose of providing real or perceived enhanced physiological and/or performance effects."

Below is a basic review of the typical ingredients found in most energy drinks, including usual amounts consumed and their effects on the human body. This information is a compilation from the Stimulant Drink Committee's results and information found on the website of the European Scientific Committee for Food (2).

Caffeine

• Average intake of most consumers: ~240mg (3- 8oz cans)
• Highest consumers intake ~640mg
• Can lead to tachycardia, increases in blood pressure and dehydration, and behavioral and cognitive effects

Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

• Native S. American plant that contains guaranine (chemical similar to caffeine with comparable stimulant effects)
• 1 gm guarana comparable to 40mg caffeine
• Nature of stimulant activity not well understood; may have more prolonged effect than caffeine
• Must be included when determining overall caffeine content

Taurine

• Amino acid: main role involves synthesis of bile salts
• Intakes ranges from 0.4g-1g (highest consumers)
• Naturally present in the diet; synthesized from amino acid cysteine
• "There is little evidence to suggest that taurine is a risk to human health. However, there are no published studies of high intakes of taurine in healthy adults, and no studies at all in children or adolescents."
• European Scientific Committee for Food states it is unable to conclude "safety-in-use" for taurine in the concentrated levels used in stimulant drinks
• Some data suggests it may mitigate adverse consequences of ethanol consumption, so may encourage greater intake
• Further research is needed

Glucuronolactone

• Naturally occurring metabolite formed from glucose
• Average intake ranges from 0.25g-0.7g (highest consumers)
• Average drinks contains 250-2500mg/l
• Intake from stimulant drinks much higher than received from normal diet; little information for risk assessment at these levels
• European Scientific Committee for Food states it is unable to conclude "safety-in-use for glucuronolactone in the concentrated levels used in stimulant drinks"
• Further research is needed

Sugar

• Approximately 7 t/ 8oz serving
• Most kids drink 16-24 oz servings

B-vitamins

• 8oz servings contains 100% Daily Value of riboflavin, B6, B12, and niacin
• Megadoses can cause rapid heartbeat, and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet

I hope this information helps you become a more informed consumer the next time you want a little "extra energy." Perhaps just a piece of fruit will do.

A little side note: Energy drinks are not suitable for rehydration because they don't meet the compositional requirements (like isotonic sports drinks do) recommended to ensure optimal hydration, and little is known about possible adverse effects on performance and fluid balance.

References
1) A Review of the Health Effects of Stimulant Drinks- Final Report http://www.safefoodonline.com/safefood/Uploads/health_effects.pdf
Accessed May 20, 2008.

2) European Scientific Committee for Food, http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out22_en.html, Accessed May 20, 2008.

(pelinks4u home)