Energy Drinks…Pros and Cons

As the country’s energy drink market continues to grow, so does the debate on the beverages’ health risks on unsuspecting consumers.
In a report released by the Beverage Marketing Corporation in 2002, energy drink sales were estimated to be over $200 million in 2001, which more than doubled year 2000 sales of $130 million.
According to an e-mail from Gary Hemphill, media relations representative for BMC, energy drink sales reached nearly $1 billion in 2004. Hemphill said he expected wholesale profits to exceed the $1 billion dollar mark this year pending a speculated 50 percent growth in the popularity of these beverages.
Energy drinks are promoted as adrenaline boosting beverages often times loaded with caffeine, sugars and other ingredients like taurine, guarana, ginseng and various herbs and stimulants. These beverages are usually marketed to college students, athletes and people under 30 who live active lifestyles.
“Because (people) are regularly reminded to consume adequate fluids and fuel to minimize early fatigue and to maximize performance – the concept of an ‘energy drink’ is very appealing,” states a report by Gatorade Sports Science Institute Nutritionist Leslie Bonci.
“Having more energy can improve one’s capacity for work,” Bonci said in her report, “Energy Drinks: Help, Harm, or Hype?” ” – A very desirable characteristic for all, especially active individuals.”
But experts who are seeing a growing trend with the beverages mass consumption by young adults have sparked the debates on the health risk associated with these beverages.
FactExpert.com stated on their Web site that individuals who drink the beverages occasionally for a quick boost of energy have nothing to worry about. Habitual consumers who rely on one or more a day are a totally different matter.
In their report, “Do Energy Drinks Really Give You Energy,” Dr. Joseph Mercola and Rachel Droege stated although energy drinks can provide you with a burst of energy, the effect is not a lasting one.
“The effects of the drink will be similar to that of a drinking a cup of coffee or a can of soda,” they said. “When the effect wears off, you’ll feel yourself slowing down and will likely crave another can to boost your energy once again. As many likely know, it can be a vicious cycle.”
Dr. Falemeh Malekian, associate professor in nutrition research at Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, discourages the use of these beverages in any capacity.
“The same way you’re addicted to coffee you can become addicted to these drinks because of their high caffeine contents. I am for healthy eating and exercise,” Malekian said. “You eat healthy everyday (and) you won’t need energy drinks.
“They are meant for people who are participating in intensive sports, like athletes,” she said.
Because of fluid loss during exercise (sweating) and the diuretic quality of caffeine, dehydration can be a likely consequence from post exercise consumption.
“Energy drinks typically are not optimally formulated to work best to improve strength, speed, stamina and other requirements for sport performance when consumed shortly before or during exercise,” Bonci said.
Potentially dangerous side effects can result from the consumption of energy drinks when the beverages are consumed after exercise or mixed with alcohol.
Mercola and Droege said combining the beverages with alcohol, an increasingly popular trend in bars now, can lead to heart failure.
The pair warned mixing energy drinks with alcohol has effects still unknown to many researchers, but the act of combining a stimulant (energy drinks) with a depressant (alcohol) can potentially overload the body with heavy stimulants and depressants, leading to heart failure. The stimulating properties found in these drinks can also boost a person’s heart rate and blood pressure, dehydrate the body and prevent sleep.
Patrice Radden, media representative for Red Bull, said there are no dangers or drawbacks from consuming their product.
“We are confident in the safety of our product,” Radden said in an e-mail. “Last year, more than 1.9 billion cans were safely consumed.”
Energy drinks’ historical past began in Europe and Asia. According to FactExpert.com, Red Bull was introduced first in the U.S. and remains the market leader today grossing nearly $600 million in wholesale dollars in the U.S. last year.
“Red Bull is a functional drink, not a thirst quencher,” Radden said. “Individuals should make sure they drink lots of water when engaging in physical activity and drinking Red Bull.”
Malekian said if people are going to consume energy drinks, they should read the labels first and see what’s right for them.