While energy drinks have become more and more popular, doctors warn on their use and endorse state regulation.
Most energy drinks have very high contents of sugar and more caffeine than a cup of strong coffee. Furthermore, the way ingredients may affect blood pressure, heart rate, as well as mental state, are yet to be determined.
Typically, energy drinks contain 70-200 milligrams of caffeine in a 16oz-dose, while coffee has 40-150 milligrams per 8oz-dose. On top of that, they contain herbal stimulants, such as gurana, an amino-acid called taurine and other minerals or herbal extracts. Many people have become accustomed to drinking energy drinks instead of sodas and some combine them with alcohol.
A review of studies made from January 1976 to May 2010 revealed that few or no studies have been performed to have a full grasp of the effects energy drinks or their components might have on the mind and body. Past studies conducted on healthy and active young adults showed that energy drinks can produce higher heart rates and blood pressure.
France, Norway and Denmark have banned Red Bull, one of the biggest energy drink brands, as studies on rats have revealed that taurine had serious negative effects on the rats’ psychological health, making them exhibit anxiety or even self-mutilation.
Considering the effect such drinks have, doctors recommend that non-athletes should limit their daily consumption to one such drink per day and also drink a lot of water, as the drinks do cause dehydration. Researchers recommend that people with heart problems and high blood pressure stay away from energy drinks, and they definitely vote against consumption by athletes, as water or sports drinks make for better and healthier choices.
The energy drinks market was valued at some 650 million dollars in the US and approximately 5 billion worldwide in 2005.
