Over the past several years, stimulant drinks have become very popular. Going by the names of Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, Nos, and Amp, these drinks offer a quick “pick-me-up” for people who want an extra jolt of energy during their busy days. But, are these drinks safe, and should they be regulated by the FDA? Based upon the evidence, these caffeine and sugar-laden beverages need to come under closer scrutiny of US governmental agencies, such as the FDA.
Modern stimulant drinks have been around for many years. Originating in Japan in the 1950s, the first “energy drinks” contained amphetamines, but the recipes were re-formulated due to changes in Japanese laws (Engber, 2013). In 1962, the beverage company, Taisho, began selling Lipovitan D, a stimulant drink that was chockfull of caffeine and vitamins – marketed toward on-the-go Japanese businessmen (Engber, 2013). Later, energy drinks found a market in both America and Europe (Engber, 2013). In 1987, the Red Bull brand made its debut in Austria, and was introduced to the US in 1997. (Engber, 2013). The market share of energy drinks stands at about $11 billion annually, and continues to increase (Engber, 2013). Moreover, the yearly growth of energy drink sales remains in the double digits, making it a booming industry (Engber, 2013). The drinks are no longer just a big draw for professionals, but brands such as Monster and Rockstar attract younger consumers. In fact, from an ingredient perspective, these drinks vary little from standard carbonated sodas, such as Pepsi and Coca-Cola (Engber, 2013). However, they contain more caffeine and sugar, which are the main sources of their stimulating effects.
Though stimulant, or energy drinks, may sound no more harmless than a conventional soda, scientific evidence shows otherwise. According to Jaeger (2015), a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that energy drinks are dangerous to heart health. In the study, participants consumed a 16-ounce can of Rockstar which led to increased blood pressure, as well as an accelerated heart rate. Furthermore, the researchers claim that long-term consumption of these drinks show an increased risk of the development of cardiovascular issues (Jaeger, 2015). The study’s lead researcher, Dr. Anna Svatikova, states that, in addition, such currently-legal stimulants such as guarana, ginseng, caffeine, taurine, and others can cause adverse effects such as nervousness, high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and irritability (Jaeger, 2015). Finally, the researchers conclude that energy drinks can create a higher risk for cardiovascular problems in its consumers (Jaeger, 2015). Thus, from scientific standpoint, popular energy drinks are beverages that significantly increase the risk of known health problems.
Furthermore, there is plenty of legal evidence that the legally-accepted amounts of stimulants in these energy “cocktails” are placing their consumers at significant risk. For example, the FDA reported in late 2012 that it was investigating five deaths, as well as one “non-fatal heart attack” in people who drank energy drinks made by Monster (DeNoon, 2012). In addition, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against Monster by the parents of Anais Fournier, their 14-year-old daughter who collapsed after drinking two 24-ounce Monster energy drinks in a 24-hour period (DeNoon, 2012). The young girl died six days later (DeNoon, 2012). Part of the issue may stem, in part, from the fact that energy drinks are sold as nutritional supplements, rather than sodas, and their total caffeine content, including herbal stimulants, is above 71 milligrams per 12-ounce drink (DeNoon, 2012). In 2011, the US Drug Abuse Network reported that ER visits related to energy drink consumption went up by tenfold compared to the previous year (DeNoon, 2012). Furthermore, nearly 70% of those ER visits were due to the consumption of energy drinks alone, in young people between 12-17 years of age (DeNoon, 2012). Thus, the link between the consumption of energy drinks and adverse, often fatal, cardiovascular events, is irrefutable enough to warrant additional regulatory measures, measures that place restrictions on the recipe of stimulants found in these risky beverages.
In other countries, such as those of the European Union, energy drinks with stimulants such as caffeine-containing guarana, taurine, and ginseng are receiving a hard look by the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe, after a study warned about a possible public health problem in the future due to current energy drink consumption by young people (WHO, 2014). Already, Sweden has banned the sales of energy drinks to children, and Hungary taxes those who purchase the popular drinks (WHO, 2014). In addition, the public health study’s researchers recommend several measures, including new labeling restrictions, the setting of a limit for known caffeine content in energy drinks, public education, public health screening, healthcare practitioner training and education, and further research – especially on the effects of energy drink on children (WHO, 2014). As of 2012, Chechnya, a primarily Muslim nation is set to ban the sale of energy drinks altogether, while Mexico has very strict laws in place regarding their sales (Bradley, 2012). Not only are energy drink sales taxed by 25% in Mexico, but sales are entirely banned to minors (Bradley, 2012). Moreover, Mexico has decided to ban sales of energy drink/alcoholic beverage concoctions in bars (Bradley, 2012). Thus far, Mexico has taken the lead with respect to energy drink regulations, and more nations are bound to follow their lead.
References
Bradley, T. (23 Oct. 2012). No smoking, no alcohol, and now no caffeine rush: countries crack down on energy drinks. Quartz. Retrieved 06 Aug. 2016 from http://qz.com/18879/will-bans-cost-energy-drinks-their-kick/
DeNoon, D.J. (23 Oct. 2012). 5 death reports for Monster energy drink. WebMD. Retrieved 06 Aug. 2016 from http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/news/20121023/death-reports-monster-energy-drink#1
Engber, D. (06 Dec. 2013). Who made that energy drink? The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved 05 Aug. 2016 from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/magazine/who-made-that-energy-drink.html?_r=0
Jaeger, K. (09 Nov. 2015). New study confirms energy drinks are bad for your heart. ATTN:
Retrieved 06 Aug. 2016 from http://www.attn.com/stories/4088/energy-drinks-bad-heart-health
World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe. (14 Oct. 2014). Energy drinks cause concern for health of young people. Retrieved 06 Aug. 2016 from http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/nutrition/news/news/2014/10/energy-drinks-cause-concern-for-health-of-young-people
