Energy drinks and caffeine are often a part of everyone’s daily lives. Recently, energy drinks have come under heavy criticism for having adverse health effects, which include heart rhythm problems, increased blood pressure and — in rare cases — cardiac arrest.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released a report that shows the number of emergency room visits involving energy drinks doubled from 10,068 visits in 2007 to 20,783 visits in 2011. According to the report, men outranked women for going to the hospital for energy drink-related emergency room visits, and there were more patients in the 18 to 39 age group than any other age group. However, the largest increase was seen among patients age 40 or older for whom visits increased 279 percent from 1,382 visits in 2007 to 5,233 visits in 2011.
What are energy drinks?
Energy drinks are flavored beverages containing high amounts of caffeine and typically other additives, such as vitamins, taurine, herbal supplements, creatine, sugars and guarana. These drinks are sold in cans and bottles and are readily available in grocery stores, vending machines, convenience stores, bars and other venues where alcohol is sold. These beverages provide high doses of caffeine that stimulate the central nervous system and cardiovascular system. The total amount of caffeine in a can or bottle of an energy drink varies from about 80 milligrams (mg) to more than 500 mg, compared with about 100 mg in a five-ounce cup of coffee or 50 mg in a 12-ounce can of cola. Research suggests certain additives may compound the stimulant effects of caffeine.
Although consumed by a range of age groups, energy drinks were originally marketed to appeal to youths and were reported to have been consumed by 30 to 50 percent of children, adolescents and young adults. Marketing suggests benefits include increased energy, stamina, weight loss, enhanced physical performance and increased mental acuteness. More concentrated forms of energy drinks, known as energy shots, have become increasingly popular among a wider range of age groups, including older adults. Marketing analysts reported increasing sales of energy shots in 2011 that were expected to continue through 2012. The concentrated amount of caffeine and other ingredients in these drinks has come under scrutiny as the Food and Drug Administration disclosed reports of adverse events.
Energy drinks: Public health problem
Consumption of energy drinks is a rising public health problem because medical and behavioral consequences can result from excessive caffeine intake. Scientific evidence documents harmful health effects of energy drinks for all age groups. Older adults may also be vulnerable to the effects of energy drinks even though the drinks are marketed with claims of having a positive impact on energy and concentration. The safety of these products among adults who take medications or have medical conditions has been questioned.
The popularity of these drinks persists although large amounts of caffeine can cause adverse effects such as insomnia, nervousness, headache, fast heartbeat and seizures that are severe enough to require emergency care. Even deaths related to energy drinks have been reported. Health professionals can discourage use of energy drinks by explaining perceived health benefits are largely due to marketing techniques rather than scientific evidence. Because of the drinks’ widespread use, it may be beneficial for emergency room staff to inquire about use of energy drinks when assessing each patient’s use of medications.
This information was obtained from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, as well as The Drug Abuse Warning Network’s report titled “Update on emergency department visits involving energy drinks: A continuing health concern.”
For more information, visit www.samhsa.gov or call (877) 726-4727.
