A scientific literature review has reportedly warned against routine energy drink use, claiming that these beverages have been associated with reported “serious adverse events, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults with seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavioral disorders or those who take certain medications.” Sara Seifert, et al., “Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults,” Pediatrics, February 2011. Using PubMed and Google resources “to identify articles related to energy drinks,” researchers apparently estimated that energy drinks “are consumed by 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults,” and raised concerns about the effects on those with cardiovascular conditions, ADHD, eating disorders, and diabetes. “Energy drinks have no therapeutic benefit, and both the known and unknown pharmacology of various ingredients, combined with reports of toxicity, suggest that these drinks may put some children at risk for serious adverse health effects,” reported the reviewers, who…
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According to a news source, a prosecutor in Florida appears willing to accept an insanity defense in the case of a man who murdered his father while depressed, sleep-deprived and under the purported influence of an energy drink. A psychiatrist reportedly testified during a bond reduction hearing that defendant Stephen Coffeen, who allegedly smothered his father in 2009, suffered a “psychotic break” that was “accelerated by his use of Red Bull.” The defendant’s brother, Thomas Coffeen, is apparently skeptical about the defense, writing to the court, “since when is being tired, and high on an energy drink, an excuse for cold blooded murder, anyway?” The court has denied bond and set another hearing in the case for February 17, 2011. See St. Petersburg Times, February 7, 2011.
This article summarizes recent research, including a November 2010 literature review in The Mayo Clinic Proceedings, that has questioned the effectiveness and safety of energy beverages (E.B.’s). According to Times journalist Jane Brody, the Mayo study “noted that the drinks contain high levels of caffeine and warned that certain susceptible people risk dangerous, even life-threatening effects on blood pressure, heart rate and brain function.” In addition to recording “four documented cases of caffeine-associated death,” the authors also expressed concern about “whether long-term use of E.B.’s by [teens and young adults] will translate into deleterious effects later.” As one of the contributors, Troy Tuttle, reportedly said in an interview, “Almost all the studies done on energy drinks have involved small sample sizes of young, healthy individuals in whom you’re unlikely to see short-term ill effects. But what about the long term? What about liver and cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes?”…
A January 25, 2011, commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has claimed that “regular (nonalcoholic) energy drinks might pose just as great a threat to individual and public health and safety” as the alcoholic versions recently barred by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC). According to authors Amelia Arria and Mary Claire O’Brien, “health professionals should inform their patients of the risks associated with the use of highly caffeinated energy drinks; the public should educate themselves about the risks of energy drink use, in particular the danger associated with mixing energy drinks and alcohol; and the alcohol and energy drink industries should voluntarily and actively caution consumers against mixing energy drinks with alcohol, both on their product labels and in their advertising materials.” Calling for increased regulation, the article focuses on research suggesting that the caffeine in energy drinks could cause “adverse health…
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to four manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs), calling the caffeine added to these malt beverages an “unsafe food additive” and threatening further action against Charge Beverages Corp.; New Century Brewing Co., LLC; Phusion Projects, LLC; and United Brands Company Inc. FDA apparently released its decision after conducting a scientific review that encompassed peer-reviewed literature, expert consultations, information provided by manufactures, and its own independent laboratory analysis. The agency’s findings evidently raised concerns “that caffeine can mask some of the sensory cues individuals might normally rely on to determine their level of intoxication,” leading to “hazardous and life-threatening situations.” As FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein summarized in a November 17, 2010, press release, “FDA does not find support for the claim that the addition of caffeine to these alcoholic beverages is ‘generally recognized as safe [GRAS],’ which is the…
The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) has passed a resolution to temporarily “prevent the further sale and distribution of malt beverage products containing caffeine and other stimulants.” Washington Governor Christine Gregoire (D) joined WSLCB in announcing the measure, citing reports that nine Central Washington University students “became dangerously ill” after consuming alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs). “Quite simply, these drinks are trouble. They contain up to 12 percent alcohol – more than twice the amount found in most beer,” Gregoire was quoted as saying. “Added to that are large amounts of caffeine, which can mask the effects of alcohol. By taking these drinks off the shelves we are saying ‘no’ to irresponsible drinking and taking steps to prevent incidents like the one that made these college students so ill.” The emergency ban apparently covers all AEDs “that combine beer, strong beer, or malt liquor with caffeine, guarana, taurine, or other similar…
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) has rescinded “the approval of all alcohol energy drinks [AEDs],” citing “widespread community concerns aired by substance abuse prevention groups, parent groups and various members of the public, as well as the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) decision to further investigate these products.” According to a November 4, 2010, press release, the commission also believes that AED packaging “is often misleading, and the products themselves can pose problems by directly appealing to a younger customer, encouraging excessive consumption, while mixing alcohol with various other chemical and herbal stimulants.” The MLCC’s order gives retailers 30 days to remove AEDs from commerce and includes a list of affected products. “The Commission’s concern for the health, safety and welfare of Michigan citizens and the fact that there is not enough research to validate that these products are safe for consumption has made me believe that until further…
Washington State Attorney General Robert McKenna has issued an October 25, 2010, letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, alleging that a recent incident involving alcoholic energy drinks (AEDs) sent nine college students to emergency rooms with alcohol poisoning. According to the letter, “Once at the hospital, medical staff found the blood-alcohol levels of the impacted students ranged from .123 percent (legally drunk) to .35 percent—a lethal level of alcohol poisoning… The investigation concludes that the students—all under 21 years old—combined AEDs with other kinds of alcohol.” Citing the October 8 police report, McKenna has claimed that the affected students were drinking an AED manufactured by Phusion Projects, LLC , known as “Four Loko,” which contains 12 percent alcohol and “high doses of caffeine and sugar.” Moreover, the letter continues, “The frightening incident… is hardly unique. In fact, AEDs are sweeping college campuses… Twenty-three students at New…
“Caffeine-loaded energy drinks have now crossed the line from beverages to drugs delivered as tasty syrups,” opines a July 26, 2010, Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial, which recommends “strict regulations” and warning labels comparable to those required for caffeine tablets. According to the authors, these sweetened beverages pose a unique health risk to adolescents, 73 percent of whom reported consuming at least 100 mg of caffeine per day, and college students who “often mix energy drinks with alcohol, a potentially hazardous combination because the high levels of caffeine can mask the perception—but not the consequences—of acute alcohol intoxication.” Moreover, claims the editorial, these products “are often targeted toward children and youth through carefully designed advertising campaigns as well as sponsorship of events such as snowboarding and skateboarding competitions.” The editors thus call for “government-mandated restrictions on labeling, sales and marketing, or self-imposed industry standards with clear labeling accompanied by public education.”…
A recent report examining trends in energy drink consumption claims that the U.S. market’s “exponential growth” has outpaced regulatory mechanisms designed for other beverages. M.A. Heckman, K. Sherry and E. Gonzalez de Mejia, “Energy Drinks: An Assessment of Their Market Size, Consumer Demographics, Ingredient Profile, Functionality, and Regulation in the United States,” Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, May 2010. University of Illinois researchers apparently found that, despite a lack of scientific consensus as to their physiological and cognitive effects, energy drinks represent “more than 200 brands in the United States alone, all purporting to increase energy, longevity, and vitality in some form or another.” The report provides an overview of these marketing strategies as well as common energy drink ingredients, including caffeine, taurine, guarana, ginseng, yerba mate, B vitamins and “health-promoting constituents” like antioxidant polyphenols. It claims that the majority of such products are pitched to teenagers and…
