Energy Drink Consumption : Beneficial and Adverse Health Effects

Abstract

Consumption of energy drinks has been increasing dramatically in the last two decades, particularly amongst adolescents and young adults. Energy drinks are aggressively marketed with the claim that these products give an energy boost to improve physical and cognitive performance. However, studies supporting these claims are limited. In fact, several adverse health effects have been related to energy drink; this has raised the question of whether these beverages are safe. This review was carried out to identify and discuss the published articles that examined the beneficial and adverse health effects related to energy drink. It is concluded that although energy drink may have beneficial effects on physical performance, these products also have possible detrimental health consequences. Marketing of energy drinks should be limited or forbidden until independent research confirms their safety, particularly among adolescents. Disclosure of benefit:This work was not supported by any drug or commercial company. Manufacturers recently have shifted their consumer focus from athletes to young people. Energy drinks are aggressively marketed in places popular with teens and young adults. Approximately, two thirds of energy drink consumers are 13-35 years old, and boys are two thirds of the market. (4) In the U.S., energy drinks are the second most common dietary supplement used by young people; about 30% consume energy drinks on a regular basis. (5) The popularity of energy drinks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not seem to differ from other parts of the world. Around half of the Saudi University students who participated in a survey admitted to regular consumption of energy. (6) Energy drinks are designed to give an "energy boost" to the drinker by a combination of stimulants and energy boosters. The major constituent in most energy drinks is caffeine. They usually contain 80-150 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces, which is equivalent to 5 ounces of coffee or two 12-ounce cans of caffeinated soda. (7) Most of the brands on the market contain large amounts of glucose while some brands offer artificially sweetened versions. Other commonly used constituents are taurine, methylxanthines, vitamin B, ginseng, guarana, yerba mate, acai, maltodextrin, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone, and ginkgo biloba. CorrespondenceCurrently, significant concerns have been raised about the safety of these products. There have been several reports that showed adverse health effects associated with energy drink. Despite this, manufactures of energy drinks claim these products are suitable for consumers

Prevalence and Perceived benefits of energy drink Consumption in medical students

“…Common toxic effects reported with higher doses of these caffeinated drinks were GI upset, hallucination, seizures & cardiac ischemia due to sympathetic over stimulation. 6 Energy drink consumption decreases insulin sensitivity 8 and raises mean arterial blood pressure. 9 High consumption of caffeine-containing energy drinks is found to be associated with chronic daily headaches 10 , neural, gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular dysfunctions.…”

Internacionalinis Vartotojas Ir Energiniai Gėrimai: Vartojimo Paplitimas Ir Žinios Apie Poveikį Organizmui

“…Nepaisant minimų teigiamų savybių, vis dažniau pasitaiko atvejų, siejančių energetinius gėrimus su neigiamu poveikiu dantims, kardiovaskulinei, neuropsichologinei, gastrointesticinei bei nefrologinei sistemoms [3,8,9].…”

Energy drink - the prevalence of consumption and awareness regarding its associated potential health problems among commercial bus drivers in Ho, Ghana

“…That notwithstanding, it is a multibillion-dollar market that has experienced dynamic global growth in popularity over the years and is considered one of the fastest-growing segments of the beverage market [3,4]. There are many brands, flavours and sizes [5] designed to give an "energy boost" to the drinker by a combination of stimulants and energy boosters [6].…”