The energy drink issue continues to feed concern about the health risks associated with these caffeinated beverages, as a new study reveals some startling information.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found that the number of teens consuming energy drinks jumped from 16 percent in 2003 to 35 percent in 2008.
And 50 percent of college students were found to drink between one and four of these energy-boosting drinks a month.
Perhaps the most sobering piece of information from the study is that energy drink-related emergency room visits increased this year, causing pleas from politicians and consumers for the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the deaths that resulted from consuming the drinks.
As of now, the FDA does not regulate the amount of caffeine that is added to these beverages. This creates an environment where energy drink companies can list the incorrect amount of the stimulant on the label---if they list it at all.
Researchers categorized the most common ingredients in energy drinks: caffeine, guarana, taurine, ginseng, sugars and B vitamins.
"I was surprised by the profound lack of science supporting the benefit of ingesting some of these ingredients such as carnitine, Yohimbe and bitter orange," study author Dr. Kwabena Blankson said. "Adolescent consumers have no idea what these ingredients do. They assume that because they can easily buy it off the shelf that it must be safe for them."
But the harsh reality is that there is not a lot of scientific evidence regarding the alleged risks or benefits of these additives or what the long-term effects might be from consuming energy drinks on a daily basis.
The study also looked into the practice of mixing energy drinks with alcohol--a method that conceals the effects of alcohol and makes the drinker feel as though they did not drink as much as they actually did.
There is also a large gap in scientific research when it comes to the interaction between alcohol and energy drinks, as well as how they mix with medications. The dangerous concoction is something that has been found to be common among teens, and researchers urge parents and patients to educate themselves about the possible risk of drinking these beverages on a regular basis.
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