Energy Drinks The Next Public Health Crisis? WHO Researchers Seem To Think So


With the worldwide consumption of energy drinks increasing in recent years, concerns have been raised both in the scientific community and among the general public about the health effects of these products. Therefore, researchers in the United Kingdom set out to determine how significant the risk really was with consuming energy drinks. The conclusion? Energy drinks will become a significant public health problem if their use among young people is not addressed through a cap on caffeine levels and restrictions on their sale and marketing.

The Guardian reports that the primary risk associated with drinking energy drinks, such as Red Bull, is the high caffeine levels. The report, which was published in Frontiers of Public Health, says that risks of high levels of caffeine consumption include problems such as palpitations, hypertension, vomiting, convulsions, and, in extreme cases, heart failure leading to death. João Breda, from WHO’s Regional Office for Europe, wrote in the report that caffeine has a proven negative effect on children and young adults but said the “full impact” is not completely known.

“The full impact of the rise in popularity of energy drinks has not yet been quantified, but the aggressive marketing of energy drinks targeted at young people, combined with limited and varied regulation have created an environment where energy drinks could pose a significant threat to public health.”

The high levels of caffeine are concerning, but so are potential interactions of other ingredients in the drink with caffeine. Energy drinks include other ingredients such as guarana, taurine, and B vitamins, which the WHO researchers say require further investigation, including into their interaction with caffeine. The issue may be two-fold: high levels of caffeine and interactions with other ingredients.

The other concerning part of the research was that over 70 percent of 18-to 29-year-olds said they mixed energy drinks with alcohol. The study authors said research has shown this is more risky than drinking alcohol alone, possibly because energy drinks make it harder for people to notice when they are getting drunk even though there is no reduction in intoxication.

Another risk associated with the energy drinks was physical exertion combined with the drinks. They said energy drinks had also been linked to dangers when combined with physical activity – despite often being marketed as boosting sports performance. Energy drinks should never be used as a means of hydration during exercise.

The authors did not quantify what cap should be imposed on caffeine levels but stated that it should be evidence-based. Other recommendations included making health practitioners aware of the potential dangers of excess caffeine consumption, screening patients with a history of diet problems and substance abuse for heavy consumption of energy drinks, educating the public about the risks of mixing them with alcohol, and better labeling.

What do you think? Should the government get involved in limiting the amount of caffeine that is acceptable in beverages, or should the drinks come with a more thorough warning label?

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