ISSN Takes Stand on Energy Drinks

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has issued a position
statement on energy drinks (ED) and energy shots (ES), claiming that “given
the number of servings of these products that are consumed daily, the rate
of adverse events appears low in the population of consumers.” Bill Campell,
et al., “International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: energy drinks,”
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, January 2013. After
analyzing the scientific literature on this topic, ISSN found that “[a]lthough ED
and ES contain a number of nutrients that are purported to affect mental and/
or physical performance, the primarily ergogenic nutrients in most ED and ES
appear to be carbohydrate and/or caffeine.” The society thus concluded that
consuming low-calorie ED “10-60 minutes before exercise can improve mental
focus, alertness, anaerobic performance, and/or endurance performance,”
but cautioned that drinking higher-calorie ED during exercise may promote
weight gain.

At the same time, however, the position statement identified the need for additional research to evaluate the “potential additive benefits of other nutrients contained in ED and ES.” It also warned that children and adolescents should use ED or ES only with parental approval and urged athletes to consider “the impact of ingesting high-glycemic load carbohydrates on metabolic health, blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as the effects of caffeine and other stimulants on motor skill performance.” In addition, ISSN has recommended that individuals with certain pre-existing conditions “avoid use of ED and/or ES unless approved by their physician.”

“[T]he current evidence (although small) suggests that consumption of ED and ES are safe in healthy populations and similar to ingesting other foods and beverages containing caffeine,” concludes the position statement. “Additionally, since ED often contain several nutrients that contain caffeine and/or other stimulants, care should be taken to make sure an excessive number of ED are not consumed within a short period of time.”