Rockstar, Amp, Monster, Full Throttle, Red Bull, Bawls, XS...the list goes on. With the dozens of energy drinks on the market, it's hard to believe that they really only arrived in the United States in 1997 with the introduction of Red Bull.
If you haven't heard of these brands, try attending an extreme sports event or popular music festival without being overtaken by energy drink advertising. It's clear by the brand names alone that these products are marketed to high school and college-age students, particularly males. Energy drink makers certainly know their audience, and that audience has embraced the trend, often consuming multiple cans every day in addition to using them as mixers with alcohol. Energy drinks are now a multi-billion dollar industry, with no sign of slowing down.
Reading the Label
What is in an energy drink? If you're about to pop the top of a small, 8 oz. energy drink can, you'll probably find a carbonated, tart or fruit-flavored beverage with 80 mg of caffeine, which is the equivalent to one cup of coffee or two cans of Coca-Cola. It is unlikely that you could find caffeine content on the label. That's right; many energy drinks do not specify the amount of caffeine that they contain.
And since some energy drinks come in larger 16 or 24 oz. cans, those who opt for a large can will instantly double or triple their caffeine intake. The effects of too much caffeine include heart palpitations, sleeplessness, nervousness and anxiety. But caffeine aside, energy drinks have throw in a few wild cards that add to the energy equation with herbal stimulants like guarana, ginseng and yerba mate. It is these ingredients that sometimes produce unwanted reactions.
Taurine, an amino acid, along with B-vitamins are also typical energy drink additives that provide minimal nutritional value. When consumed in moderation, energy drinks are not bad, but it's important to understand what they do to a body. One can is not dangerous, but with regular consumption the body adapts to increased amounts of caffeine. And cutting down on caffeine often comes with withdraw symptoms like headaches and irritability. Consumption of multiple cans each day can be dangerous, and many energy drinks are labeled with warnings against consuming more than three or four cans in 24 hours.
Why Choose an Energy Drink?
For one thing, energy drinks are neither sports drinks nor health drinks. Sports drinks replenish electrolytes and sugar the body loses while sweating, whereas caffeine-packed energy drinks are diuretics that dehydrate more quickly. And while health drinks provide nutritional benefits such as vitamins and minerals, energy drinks fall closer to soda in their extra sugar and empty calorie content. So what's the attraction? For young adults, energy drinks sometimes serve as sweet, fruity substitutes for coffee. The pick-me-up effects of an energy drink are rapid and noticeable, and fans of this type of product see it as an accessory to a fast-paced, active or extreme lifestyle. Mixed with alcohol, energy drinks balance the depressant effects of drinking, often masking fatigue or high levels of intoxication on top of their dehydrating effects.
Energy Drinks in the News
It's not unheard of for energy drinks to be controversial. Red Bull was banned from France for twelve years after its ingredients were found to interact in unpredictable ways. Denmark and Norway have also outlawed the product. And there may be more bans to come after Red Bull Cola, a European product, showed traces of cocaine when tested in Germany recently. One thing is certain: consumption of energy drinks can cause serious health complications. If energy drinks fit into your lifestyle, keep your body hydrated and consume in moderation.
