Energy drinks are soft drinks that boost energy due to large amounts of caffeine and sugar included in the ingredients.http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/energy_drinks.htm Herbs and vitamins are also sometimes added. Energy drinks are usually lower in calories than soft drinks like soda and juice, but have higher caffeine and sugar which may make the consumer feel more alert and energetic, though there is no scientific evidence that this is so.
There is some controversy both over the efficacy of the drinks and the side effects of consuming too many of them on a regular basis. Some reports have even linked energy drinks as a health hazard, included possible death.http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24831859
Energy Drink Health Concerns
Red Bull was banned in France for twelve years and many stores stopped selling energy drinks to minors due to the health hazard. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1576964720080715http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2010/07/14/pei-energy-drinks-youth-584.html In 2009, parts of Germany pulled the drink from shelves due to trace amounts of cocaine found in the drink.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30929880/
On September 30, 2008, 21-year-old student Chloe Leach died after drinking four cans of Red Bull and several VKs, a vodka-based drink which also contained caffeine. Her cause of death was ruled due to a rare heart condition called QT Syndrome.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/4437065/Red-Bull-may-have-triggered-heart-condition-that-killed-student.html
A CTV article from October 6, 2010 reported that a healthy student had suffered a seizure after consuming two 355ml cans of Red Bull in 30 minutes after a night of studying.http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20101006/health-canada-energy-drink-101006/
Common Ingredients in Energy Drinks
- Caffeine
- B Vitamins
- Guarana
- Taurine
- Ginseng
- Creatine
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Sugar
- Yerba Matehttp://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Products/Red-Bull-Energy-Drink-021242751115866?p=1242745950125
Top Ten Energy Drinks in the United States
- Red Bull
- Monster
- Rockstar
- Tab Energy Drink
- Hype
- Vault
- Joker Mad Energy Drink
- SoBe Adrenaline Rush
- Liquid Nitro
- Full Throttlehttp://www.americasbestonline.net/energydrinks.html
Doctors Advise: Energy Drink Need Warning Labels
A report on the $5.4 billion energy drink industry states an average energy drink has the caffeine found in 14 cans of soda. There are side effects that can affect the heart. The affect these drinks have on children is discussed along with some of the other health effects. Experts say warning labels should be put on energy drinks.
