Caffeine in energy drinks could lead to potential health risks

Caffeinated energy drinks promise many things: that you will become super alert, perform better in sports, experience improved concentration, have faster reactions, and others. They do not say that the high levels of caffeine could lead to intoxication, dependence, or even potential health risks.

This is precisely why a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine believes the FDA should require energy drinks to have warning labels to warn consumers of the health dangers.

The caffeine content of some brands can be 14 times higher than caffeine in one can of soda. The Food and Drug Administration has a caffeine content limit on cola-type soft drinks, set at 71 milligrams per 12 fluid ounces. There is no such limit imposed on energy drinks.

The FDA sets limits on soft drinks, which are classified as food products. Energy drinks are marketed as dietary supplements, which do not require safety evaluations by the FDA before they are marketed, under the provisions of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act.

The beverage industry association says its products are safe, with most brands having less caffeine than a cup of coffeehouse coffee. Association spokesmen say mainstream energy drinks have only 160 milligrams per 16-ounce serving while a 16-ounce cup of coffeehouse coffee contains 320 milligrams of caffeine.

The market for energy drinks is enormous. Americans spent $5.4 billion on these beverages in 2006, and this is expanding 47% a year. The drinks are marketed as performance enhancers with young people as the primary target.

The researchers have decades of research effort studying the effects of caffeine. They found that Coca-Cola Classic has 34.5 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce serving while the popular brand Red Bull had 80 milligrams per 8.3-ounce serving and Fixx contained 500 milligrams per 20-ounce serving.

The authors note that although there is variation in serving sizes, most people consume the entire can, regardless of the number of ounces.

Teens and young adults are the largest consumers of energy drinks. A 2007 survey found that 51% of 496 college students drank at least one energy drink in the previous month.

There have been adverse reactions to energy drinks. U.S. poison control centers have reported 41 cases of caffeine abuse from caffeine-loaded beverages. Caffeine intoxication is often manifested as nervousness, anxiety and restlessness, insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, rapid heartbeat, and tremors. In rare case, death may occur.

There are also data suggesting that energy drink users may combine them with alcohol. In addition, the energy drinks may indicate a tendency to use controlled substances. In another study, college students who consumed energy drinks regularly were more inclined to subsequently use stimulants for recreational use.

The authors note that over-the-counter products with caffeine are required to have warning labels, yet energy drinks are exempt.

Safety Tip:

* If you must consume energy drinks, do so in moderate amounts to avoid caffeine intoxication. It would be better to do without them altogether.

* Avoid mixing alcohol and energy drinks.