Energy Drink Side Effects Pose Public Health Risk: Study

In a study published this month, European researchers warn that side effects of energy drinks like Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, 5-Hour Energy and others may pose a serious risk to public health, especially among teens and young adults.

Researchers commissioned by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicate that recent concerns in the scientific community and among the public about the health risks associated with increased consumption of energy drinks are valid, finding that the potential for caffeine toxicity from the popular beverages may be greater than from other dietary sources of caffeine, due to the very high levels contained in energy drinks and the aggressive marketing of the products to young and inexperienced consumers.

The study was published by the medical journal Frontiers in Public Health on October 14, providing a review of energy drink studies using the Cochrane Library, Plos One and PubMed research databases, which revealed 68 percent of adolescents and 18 percent of children under 10 are consuming energy drinks.

Researchers from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, headed up by Joao Breda, identified a number of deaths attributed to energy drinks, with most related to heart failure. In addition, many consumers were hospitalized for seizures following consumption of energy drinks.

“It would appear that concerns in the scientific community and among the public regarding the potential adverse health effects of the increased consumption of energy drinks are broadly valid,” Breda said. “The potential for acute caffeine toxicity due to consumption of energy drinks may be greater than other dietary sources of caffeine.”

Authors noted dangers associated with energy drink consumption were primarily related to caffeine content and included, heart palpitations, hypertension, dieresis, central nervous system stimulation, nausea, vomiting, convulsions and even death.

The contribution of energy drinks to a person’s total caffeine exposure was 43% in children, 13% in teens and eight percent in adults. This reveals children are getting nearly half of their caffeine consumption from products like Monster, Rock Star and Red Bull.

“The aggressive marketing of energy drinks targeted at young people combined with limited and varied regulation have created an environment where energy drinks could pose a significant threat to public health,” said Breda.

Other health risks researchers found were linked to energy drinks included, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes and reduced insulin sensitivity.

Researchers also indicated that pregnant women may be more prone to late miscarriages, premature infants and stillbirths if they consume energy drinks.

Energy Drinks Risks Among Teens

The study also surveyed adolescent consumption across varying countries and found 48% of teens consume energy drinks in Greece, 82% consume energy drinks in the Czech Republic. Among children under the age of 10, 40% drink energy drinks in the Czech Republic, revealing consumption trends vary widely.

The report highlights the addictive affects energy drinks can also have, causing physical dependence.

More than 70% of young adults who drink energy drinks mix them with alcohol. Researchers found mixing alcohol and energy drinks make people more likely to drink greater amounts of alcohol than people who drink alcohol alone.

The energizing effects of the high amounts of caffeine can make it harder for people to notice their intoxication.

A study published late last year revealed people who consume energy drinks and alcohol together generally consume more alcohol overall. They were also more prone to experience more negative consequences, like getting into trouble or driving after drinking.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers issued a warning concerning a high number of poison calls received in 2012 as a result of energy drink consumption. Centers received more than 3,000 calls during the year, more than half of those calls involved children.

In 2006, nearly 50 new brands of energy drinks were released worldwide. Sales of energy drinks reached $12.5 billion in 2012. Sales increased 60 percent from 2008 to 2012, with no signs of slowing. With the increase in popularity and consumption also come an increase in serious side effects.

A study published last month concluded highly caffeinated drinks, like 5 Hour Energy, Red Bull and Monster pose a risk of serious heart problems. Researchers from France found a link between energy drinks and an increased risk of angina, irregular heartbeats and sudden death.

Studies have revealed other side effects linked to energy drinks, including increased negative side effects for athletes who consume the drinks in hopes of increased athletic performance. While many athletes did experience a performance boost, many also experienced insomnia, nervousness and other serious problems.