Energy drink consumption and impact on caffeine risk

Abstract

The impact of caffeine from energy drinks occurs against a background exposure from naturally occurring caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa and foods containing these ingredients) and caffeinated beverages (kola-type soft drinks). Background caffeine exposure, excluding energy drinks, was assessed for six New Zealand population groups aged 15 years and over (n = 4503) by combining concentration data for 53 caffeine-containing foods with consumption information from the 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey (ANS). Caffeine exposure for those who consumed energy drinks (n = 138) was similarly assessed, with inclusion of energy drinks. Forty-seven energy drink products were identified on the New Zealand market in 2010. Product volumes ranged from 30 to 600 ml per unit, resulting in exposures of 10-300 mg caffeine per retail unit consumed. A small percentage, 3.1%, of New Zealanders reported consuming energy drinks, with most energy drink consumers (110/138) drinking one serving per 24 h. The maximum number of energy drinks consumed per 24 h was 14 (total caffeine of 390 mg). A high degree of brand loyalty was evident. Since only a minor proportion of New Zealanders reported consuming energy drinks, a greater number of New Zealanders exceeded a potentially adverse effect level (AEL) of 3 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1) for caffeine from caffeine-containing foods than from energy drinks. Energy drink consumption is not a risk at a population level because of the low prevalence of consumption. At an individual level, however, teenagers, adults (20-64 years) and females (16-44 years) were more likely to exceed the AEL by consuming energy drinks in combination with caffeine-containing foods.

Caffeine Consumption Habits of New Zealand Tertiary Students

“…The majority (99.1%) of tertiary students who participated reported regularly consuming at least one source of caffeine in their diet. This is higher than the estimated 88% of NZ adults (≥15 years-old) previously reported in the NZ Adult Nutrition Survey 2008/09 (NZ ANS08/09) [ 17 ] and higher than rates of caffeine consumption in the USA (89%) [ 49 ]. Other studies which have examined caffeine consumption in tertiary students show the majority (87.8–98%) regularly consume caffeine from one or more sources [ 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ].…”

“…Over a third of caffeine consumers ( n = 108, 34.4%) exceeded the ‘adverse effect level’ of 3 mg·kgbw −1 ·day −1 [ 17 ]. Smokers were 3.34 times more likely to exceed this level than non-smokers (χ 2 (1) = 15.680, p < 0.001).…”

“…Based on the ‘adverse effect level’ of 3 mg·kgbw −1 ·day −1 , an assessment of dietary caffeine exposure, excluding energy drinks, revealed that a quarter (26%) of NZ adults (≥15 years) may be at risk of the adverse effects of caffeine [ 17 ]. However, as this excludes energy drinks the true prevalence of at-risk individuals may be greater.…”

Consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages in Childrens and Adolescents and Their Effects on Health

“…Enerji içeceklerinin enerji sağlayarak performans arttırdığı, yorgunluğu azalttığı ve dikkati arttırdığı gibi söylemler ile özellikle gençler arasında tüketimi hızla yaygınlaşmıştır [16][17][18]. Ancak yapılan çalışmalar neticesinde terapötik etkisinin olmadığı, farmakolojik etkiler ve toksisitesinden ötürü özellikle çocuklarda ciddi sorunlara neden olabileceği bildirilmiştir [19]. Avrupa'da 1987 yılında piyasaya girerek 1997 yılında enerji içeceği üreten firmaların tanıtımları ile birçok ülkeye yayılmıştır [20].…”

Factors Influencing Energy Drink Consumption in Participants and Viewers of Extreme Sports

“…Reported energy drink consumption rates within those >18 y range from 3% to 60%, varying by population and manner of assessment [ 17 – 20 ], with consumption rates having dramatically increased over the last two decades [ 11 , 20 ]. Questionnaire-based surveys reported that university students who consumed energy drinks within the last 30 days, or on average one per month, range from 11% to 70% [ 6 , 21 – 28 ].…”