Health Effects and Public Health Concerns of Energy Drink Consumption in the United States: A Mini-Review

Abstract

As energy drink consumption continues to grow worldwide and within the United States, it is important to critically examine the nutritional content and effects on population health of these beverages. This mini-review summarizes the current scientific evidence on health consequences from energy drink consumption, presents relevant public health challenges, and proposes recommendations to mitigate these issues. Emerging evidence has linked energy drink consumption with a number of negative health consequences such as risk-seeking behaviors, poor mental health, adverse cardiovascular effects, and metabolic, renal, or dental conditions. Despite the consistency in evidence, most studies are of cross-sectional design or focus almost exclusively on the effect of caffeine and sugar, failing to address potentially harmful effects of other ingredients. The negative health effects associated with energy drinks (ED) are compounded by a lack of regulatory oversight and aggressive marketing by the industry toward adolescents. Moreover, the rising trend of mixing ED with alcohol presents a new challenge that researchers and public health practitioners must address further. To curb this growing public health issue, policy makers should consider creating a separate regulatory category for ED, setting an evidence-based upper limit on caffeine, restricting sales of ED, and regulating existing ED marketing strategies, especially among children and adolescents.

Pattern of Caffeine Consumption Among University Students

“…(17) Caffeine intake varies across different types of beverages and in different population groups. (16) The American National Coffee Association (NCA) reported that in 2007, 37% of [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] year olds drank coffee, an increase from 26% in 2005. Young people often consume coffee drinks in large amounts.…”

“…(22) There is lack of data regarding the possible physical consequences of caffeinated beverages and a clearer understanding is needed about the reasons why young people use energy drinks and the contexts in which they are used. (23) The aim of the study was to estimate the proportion of caffeine consumption among Alexandria University students, to assess their caffeine daily intake in relation to the safety level suggested by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), to detect the proportion of caffeine withdrawal and intoxication among caffeine consumers and to investigate the relationship between caffeine intake with body composition, blood pressure, and withdrawal and intoxication symptoms.…”

Heart damage vs liver damage due to energy drinks consumption in Holtzman rats

“…La popularidad de las BE ha aumentado desde 1960 cuando se introdujo en el mercado Europeo y Asiático, convirtiéndose en una industria global multimillonaria (2,3). En Latinoamérica, el 64.9% de personas han ingerido BE, siendo principales consumidores, personas entre 13 y 35 años, destacando estudiantes universitarios, trabajadores de oficina y atletas; quienes adujeron las siguientes razones para consumirlas: aliviar la fatiga, mantener la vigilia, mejorar el rendimiento físico y cognitivo ante situaciones de estrés (4).…”

Effect of Energy Drinks on Rat Hippocampus and the Possible Neuroprotective Role of Sesame Oil: Histological, Immunohistochemical and Molecular Study

“…Recent studies have suggested that consumption of EDs alone or combined with alcohol leads to oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the brain [4][5][6] . These processes are regulated by a reactive astrogliosis and an increase of proinflammatory cytokines, which trigger neuronal death [4] .…”