There are literally dozens of energy drinks on the market today, and the numbers seem to be increasing by the year. While some state the amount of caffeine in each serving, such as the popular 5 Hour Energy shots, the majority, if not all, of these energy drinks do not provide the exact caffeine content on the labels or through their websites.
Possibly the Lesser of Energy Drink Evils
5 Hour Energy boasts that the little $2-$3 shots provide "about the same amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee," which averages 65mg but can be over 100mg depending on the coffee and size. The caffeine in a regular cup of coffee will usually last about five hours, which explains where the brand name comes from. Women taking birth control pills should be warned that birth control can affect the time caffeine's effects last in the body and five hours of energy could lead to trouble sleeping when the effects are prolonged for up to eight hours.
The company also claims that consumers will be spared the crash after the energy burst because the product contains zero sugar. This is true and many consumers agree that this is a favored product for people looking for a boost. Regular consumers of caffeine products (e.g. coffee) will have relatively pleasant experiences with this product, but for those who are not regular caffeine consumers, there may be some discomfort and as the effects wear off, these individuals may be prone to headaches, nausea, or similar symptoms.
Energy Drinks with Healthy Ingredients
There are a variety of very large cans of energy drinks such as AMP, Sobe Energy Adrenaline Rush, Monster, Rockstar, No Fear, and dozens more. They have slogans that list the names of their ingredients that sound natural and healthy, and some even claim that they are "good for you," marketing them as diet supplements. Problems arise, however, predominantly around the sugar content. Many of these caffeine- and compound-filled beverages contain more than 50 grams of sugar.
Studies have shown that it doesn't matter if these energy drink makers fill the products with vitamins and minerals; the sugar content, which is responsible for the high calories in the beverages, is enough in most to counter any possible good that could be derived from the other ingredients. Men's Health voted Rockstar the worst energy drink in America primarily for this reason.
Marketing Energy Drinks to Kids
Many of the energy drinks, particularly the ones with large cans and more caffeine than a Venti Starbucks, have sweet and pleasant flavors. In recent years, as the number of and sizes of energy drinks have both been increasing, so has their appearance in middle schools and high school across the US. This consumption by teens has led to growing concern, not only by school officials but by doctors as well.
Some schools have begun to take action, however, banning the substances from their campuses. Some schools have been seeking possible incentives to get parents involved in banning the substances from children's diets as well.
Energy Drinks and Safety
The American Beverage Association has asserted that energy drinks are safe for consumption, but this statement is often followed with comparisons to all other foods people tend to overly consume. Moderation is really the key to ensuring safety and health.
References:
Zinczenko, D. (2009). The Truth About Energy Drinks
WebMD (2008). Energy Drinks: Hazardous to Your Health?
Bolton, M. (2009). Some Schools Put the Lid on High-Caffeine Beverages
wcbstv.com (2008). Officials Want School Ban on Energy Drinks
nbc12.com (2010). Virginia High School League Wants Energy Drinks Banned
Sasha Maggio - Sasha holds her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Hawaii (minor in Japanese) and M.A. in Forensic Psychology from Argosy ...
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