Few health benefits from energy drinks; experts say look at ingredients first

The end of the fall semester is an exciting time, and the holidays fast approaching. But with the stress of finals looming over every student, some take extreme measures to keep their focus.

According to a report from National Public Radio, teenagers and young adults spend about $2.3 billion on heavily caffeinated drinks such as Monster, Rock Star and Red Bull, and the market continues to grow.

There is also Red Line, energy “shots,” the “plus energy” option at Starbucks and Smoothie King. And there are the “healthy” fitness drinks, such as Vitamin Water and Propel.

When University of Florida toxicology professor Bruce Goldberger first began studying energy drinks in 2005, he found 10 brands.

“Now the market has blossomed and there’s literally hundreds of energy drinks available,” he said, in the npr.com article.

The health education Web site for Brown University has a special section for energy drinks, which they define as “drinks which contain large doses of caffeine and other legal stimulants like guarana and ginseng… These drinks are marketed to people under 30, especially to college students, and are widely available both on and off campus.”

Even somewhat frequent consumers of these drinks should read along to learn more about the dangers – and benefits – of these beverages. In Goldberger’s research, he found that SoBe No Fear contains 141 milligrams of caffeine, which is the equivalent of five cans of Coca Cola.

Caffeiene researchers who study the effects of the stimulant on the body say there’s nothing alarming about the amount of caffeine in a single can, but when users begin consuming the drinks frequently and in larger quantities, problems may arise.

“Caffeine is the most addictive drug. And there is not substantial evidence behind other herbal supplements these drinks contain,” Erin Chambers, a registered dietitian with Trinity Mother Frances Health System, said.

She said these drinks must be consumed in moderation, or else there may be withdrawal symptoms and significant health problems. Withdrawal symptoms can include headaches, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, dehydration, heart palpitations and more.

Another trend that Brown’s Web site addresses is using energy drinks as mixers with alcohol, a combination that carries a number of dangers since energy drinks are stimulants and alcohol is a depressant.

“The stimulant effects can mask how intoxicated you are and prevent you from realizing how much alcohol you have consumed,” according to the site. “But once the stimulant effect wears off, the depressant effects of the alcohol will remain and could cause vomiting in your sleep or respiratory depression.”

Both energy drinks and alcohol are very dehydrating, which can hinder a body’s ability to metabolize alcohol and will increase the toxicity, and therefore the hangover, the next day.

The marketing claims such as “improved performance and concentration” tend to be misleading, because different bodies respond to caffeine differently.

Brown’s health education Web site suggests thinking of the products as “highly-caffeinated drinks,” which may help prevent misuse of the beverage by consumers.

Redline energy drink is becoming a more visible option on campus, but some users drink it under the assumption that it’s a “superdose” of B-12 vitamins.

However, a quick, close read of the label would reveal much more than that: “Not for use by individuals under the age of 18. Never exceed 5mL in a single dosage.”

The warning label even suggests starting with 2.5 mL which is one fourth of the bottle. Now imagine how many people don’t read the label and chug down the full 10 mL in one sitting.

Redline is manufactured by VPX, who markets the product as a “radical combination of novel ingredients” that provides “hours of energy for sports, going out, or just a pick me up in the middle of the day!”

“A good rule of thumb is, if you don’t know what an ingredient is, you shouldn’t drink it,” Chambers said.

The “radical” and “novel” list of ingredients in Redline sounds like something out of an advanced chemistry class: caffeine, Evoburn (pure Evodiamine), N-acetyle-L-tryptophan, Yerba Mate, Green Tea, 5-htp, Vinpocetine, Yohimbine HCL, Carmine Red, Liquid Red.

Chambers said Vitamin Water is also a “red flag” beverage, in that it is marketed as a healthy alternative to water.

Although the drink is fortified with vitamins, she said it does not make up for the large amount of sugar, and therefore calories, in the drink.

“Consuming empty calories will lead to weight gain,” Chambers said.

One serving size is about 50 calories, but there may be two or three servings in these bottles. “Basically, it all boils down to moderation,” Chambers said.

Consuming one Rock Star energy drink before a late-night study session won’t hurt, but think twice before the next Yeager Bomb or Redline.

By Karli Tedford Staff Writer