Caffeine-containing energy drinks are frequently consumed by up to 80% of athletes, 53% of service members, and 30% of secondary school students, and they are heavily marketed to children and adolescents (
1). Advertised for and used to boost performance and stamina, they can contain various other ingredients (vitamins, sugars, herbal extracts, proprietary compounds) as well as high concentrations of caffeine and other stimulants that can cause serious central nervous system adverse effects. Currently, the evidence for safety, efficacy, and performance benefits is limited and conflicting.
Although energy drinks contain a myriad of ingredients, caffeine and other caffeine-like stimulants are the most pharmacologically active. Once ingested, caffeine is rapidly and completely absorbed, generally reaching peak concentrations within 30 to 120 minutes. Pharmacologically, consuming more than 6 mg of caffeine per kilogram seems to saturate hepatic caffeine metabolism. However, there are significant interindividual variations in caffeine metabolism and sensitivity as well as its impacts on alertness and/or performance. When added to energy drinks, caffeine is typically added as a synthetic pure alkaloid (as in pill format) rather than a naturally occurring constituent of plant-based beverages (as in tea or coffee). For example, guarana and yerba mate, which can be contained as part of the energy blend (added vitamin, mineral, and herbal mixtures) of energy drinks, also are natural sources of caffeine, and whose levels and caffeine content often are not part of the package labeling.
Recommendations:
- Energy drinks should never be consumed by children or adolescents.
- Regulatory actions are warranted. Health Canada has mandated changes to improve transparency and labels instructing vulnerable individuals to avoid energy drinks .
- Marketing should not appeal to vulnerable populations. Manufacturers of energy drinks advertise on Web sites, social media, and television channels that are highly appealing to both children and adolescents.
- A call for safety standards is necessary.
At the end,
Odeta Stuikys Rose says- her goal is to improve health and fitness of people and inform people possible dangers associated with energy drink consumption.
