Article by Dr. Catharine Cesal
Did you know that the amount of caffeine in energy drinks in the US
is unknown? The FDA doesn’t require energy drink companies to disclose
the caffeine content in beverages including energy drinks. Meanwhile,
the US has the highest sales of energy drinks worldwide. They are sold
in many forms ranging from ready to drink packages to powders to shots.
They are marketed to appeal to teenagers through TV, radio and social
media. Energy drink companies use young music icons and extreme sports
athletes and other tactics to appeal to youth watching ads to buy their
products. They are promoted to help improve stamina, physical balance
and energy. Their contents range from nutritive ingredients like sugar
to non-nutritive elements such as caffeine, taurine, ginseng and
guarana.
Caffeine is a stimulant and a drug that directly affects the nervous
system. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP),
adolescents should not exceed more than 100 mg of caffeine a day. An
average cup of coffee (8 oz) contains that much. Amazingly, some energy
drinks contain more than 500 mg of caffeine in a can or bottle -- the
equivalent of 14 cans of some types of sodas or 5 cups of coffee, which
can result in caffeine toxicity. The AAP states, “energy drinks have no
place in the diet of children and adolescents,” because of their
stimulant content. Caffeine can cause insomnia, headaches, nervousness,
restlessness, stomach upset, dehydration by frequent urination and
anxiety amongst other symptoms. Large doses of caffeine can cause
significant cardiovascular issues including palpitations and even lethal
heart rhythm problems. Toxicity in children and adolescents is
especially concerning due to their vulnerability with developing
neurologic and cardiovascular systems. In addition, addiction potential
is higher in youth.
Aside from caffeine, energy drinks also contain sugar in forms similar
to those found in sodas and fruit drinks. Two cans of energy drinks
could contain up to 180 mg of sugar, which exceeds the daily sugar
intake by five times. Excessive sugar intake can result in obesity,
diabetes and dental problems. Additionally, energy drinks also contain
high sodium levels. A high sodium diet can result in hypertension,
kidney problems and an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.
Alarming estimates show that approximately 1/3 of adolescents consumed
energy drinks in the US and between 2010-2011, about 5,000 poison
control calls were related to energy drinks.
Another factor to consider is the limited knowledge we have about
interactions of energy drinks with other nonprescription and
prescription medications teenagers may take including antidepressants,
stimulant drugs and antipsychotics. Therefore, it is especially
important to discuss the use of energy drinks during office visits.
Although the FDA has not set caffeine recommendations for youth, the AAP
recommends that children should not consume caffeine. Awareness needs
to be increased about these popular beverages that are widely available
and not regulated, which could be harming our youth.