Energy drinks are the fastest growing beverage in the United States. They should not be confused with sports drinks. Half of these highly caffeinated drinks, sold under popular names such as Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar and Full Throttle, are sold to children, adolescents and young adults (younger than 25 years old). Energy drinks are consumed by 30-50% of adolescents and young adults in the United States.
Energy boosters, which are marketed not only as drinks, but also supplemental pills, gums and candy, all contain caffeine in concentrated amounts. They are intended to produce energy, but not without a price. Caffeine can over stimulate the central nervous system. This is especially dangerous for children as it over stimulates a “growing” central nervous system.
The FDA regulates a maximum of 71 mg of caffeine per 12 oz beverage serving. However, there is no regulation of energy drinks because they are considered a dietary supplement and not a food. The problem is that manufacturers are not required to list the caffeine content in the energy drink so the actual amount may be greater than what is listed on the package. - An energy drink may have more than 160 mg of caffeine (sold in 16 oz cans), which is three to five times more than a 8- ounce cola drink.
|
PhotoBy Mararie
|
Less than 400 mg a day of caffeine is usually not a problem for healthy adults. Large amounts of caffeine (over 500 mg/day) can act as a diuretic and deplete fluid and some nutrients. The effects of large amounts of caffeine may include nervousness, anxiety, irritability and blood sugar problems for some individuals. Side effects are especially notable in people with diabetes, seizures, cardiac problems, mood/behavior disorders or those taking certain medications. It is not clear if caffeine has the same effects on children. However, it is not recommended that adolescents and children have more than 100 mg a day or 2.5 mg/kg of body weight per day.The average adult consumes less than 100 mg of caffeine a day. For adolescents, the average intake of caffeine in the United States is as low as 60-70 mg a day and up to 800 mg a day. Typically these amounts came from consumption of sodas, but recently have been dramatically increased by the addition of energy drinks.
Though not tracked in the United States until recently, other countries who track energy drink-related health problems through poison control have reported liver damage, kidney failure, breathing disorders, agitation, seizures, psychotic conditions, heart problems, hypertension, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, heart attacks and death.
Conclusions: Energy drinks have been shown to have no health benefits. The combination of large amounts of caffeine with other ingredients in energy drinks may put individuals, especially children and adolescents who are still growing, at risk for serious adverse health effects. Promoting risk awareness of energy drinks in families, schools and athletic groups is key.
Information for this article was obtained from the following publication: Seifert SM, Schaechter JL, Hershorin ER, Lipshultz SE. Health effects of energy drinks on children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatrics. 2011;127:511-528.