Energy Drinks-Are they safe? April eNewsletter

What are Energy Drinks?
Energy drinks are increasing in popularity, especially among youth. Energy drinks are sold under names such as: Full Throttle®, Monster®, Rock Star®, Amp®, and Redline®. Most energy drinks contain large amounts of both caffeine and sugar along with a combination of legal stimulants and supplements such as taurine, guarana, and ginseng. Many energy drinks do not list the amount of each ingredient on the label. Read the label carefully and don't forget to check serving size and number of servings per container.

Energy Drinks vs. Sports Drinks
There is some confusion among consumers on the difference between energy drinks and sports drinks. Sports drinks such as Gatorade® or Powerade® are designed to re-hydrate the body while energy drinks can produce the opposite effect. It is important to note that new energy drinks are frequently hitting the store shelves and some are now being marketed as sports drinks. Always read the label before purchasing or consuming.

What are the Dangers?
Many people mistakenly think of caffeine as a food rather than a drug. In addition to being a stimulant, caffeine is a diuretic; therefore, large doses can be dehydrating. This can pose a problem for those consuming energy drinks while participating in sports, or during or after exercise. Excessive caffeine use can produce symptoms such as upset stomach, heart palpitations, sweating, tremors, vomiting, delirium, headache, diarrhea, and chest pains. Recently, energy drinks containing alcohol have been introduced. While these are supposed to be regulated as alcoholic beverages, they are frequently on the store shelves next to the non-alcoholic brands. This can cause confusion not only for consumers, but also for store clerks who may sell the product without realizing it contains alcohol. Another danger exists when energy drinks are mixed with other caffeine containing products, or when they are consumed along with alcohol. Using stimulants can mask the effects of alcohol, therefore increasing the possibility of consuming excessive amounts leading to alcohol poisoning.

Minimizing Risk
Be aware of what you are putting into your body. There are alternatives to consuming energy drinks. Eating carbohydrates such as fruit, vegetables, cereal and whole-grain breads can increase energy. Recent studies have shown that an alternative to sports drinks is the consumption of low-fat milk following exercise. It was shown to be an effective source of rehydration. While many energy drinks are not necessarily harmful if consumed in small amounts, some make claims that can be misleading. Think of energy drinks as what they are; caffeinated (often times sugary) drinks that should be consumed with caution.