Transcript Energy Drinks

Energy Drinks
Jillian Mazzarella
Energy Drinks
• Americans spent 4.2 billion dollars on energy
drinks last year
(“Drink UPI,” 2007)
Common Brand Names
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Red Bull
Monster
Rock Star
SoBe
No Fear
5 Most Common Ingredients
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Caffeine
Glucose
Guarana
Ginseng
Taurine
Caffeine
• Chemical compound that stimulates the central
nervous system
• Most energy drinks contain 140-170mg per 15 oz
can
• Equal to about 2 8oz cups coffee
• Can cause spike in blood pressure
• 2-3 cups of coffee can raise blood pressure by 14
points
(Cooper, 2008)
Glucose
• Each can has about 50-60 grams of sugar
• Won’t help with fatigue from too little sleep
• 2006 British study showed sleep deprived
people who consumed liquid glucose had slower
reaction time and were more sleepy after 90
minutes
(“You Are,” 2006)
Guarana
• South American shrub, 1 seed has caffeine
content of 4%-5% compared to 1%-2% of coffee
• Amount of Guarana per 16oz can ranges from
1.4mg-300mg
• Not fully understood
(“You Are,” 2006)
Ginseng
• Ginseng root extract
• 8-400mg in 160z can
• Studies show that Ginseng may boost brain
power if at least 200mg are consumed
• Will not enhance physical performance
• May interact with blood thinning drugs
(“You Are,” 2006)
Taurine
• 1 of the most abundant amino acids in your
brain
• 20-2,000mg per 16oz can
• Some research suggest Taurine may act more
like a sedative than a stimulant
• Small amounts are safe, the effects of lager
amounts unknown
• Little understanding of Taurine
(“You Are,” 2006)
Risk Factors
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Spike in heart rate and blood pressure
Cause palpitations, nausea, and vomiting
Disturb body’s electrolyte balance
Increase dehydration
Prevent sleep
Combined with exercise or alcohol these
properties are exaggerated
(“Energy Drinks,” 2007)
Risk Factors
• Reactions to mixing energy drinks with
medications, alcohol, or other drugs unknown
• Little understanding of some ingredients
• Risks become higher when drinking multiple
cans
• Drinking energy drinks with coffee and soda
throughout the day leads to high levels of
caffeine and sugar intake
References
(2007, 10/20/08). Energy drinks can raise your blood pressure. Latitudes
Online. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost
Cooper, H. (2008). Energy Drinks. Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition,
303, 133-134.
Drink UPI. (2007). American Herb Association Quarterly, 22, 5-6.
You are what you drink: New guidelines give beverage advice. (2006). Tufts
University Health & Nutrition Letter, 24, 6-7.