by Kevin A Clauson, Kelly M Shields, Cydney E McQueen and Nikki Persad
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To describe benefits and adverse effects associated with the consumption of energy drinks. DATA SOURCES: Searches were conducted using Medline, IPA (International Pharmaceutical Abstracts), EMBASE, and MANTIS; databases such as Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Natural Standard, ALTMEDEX, and AltHealthWatch; and Google (range 1980 to September 2007). Search terms included energy drink, Red Bull, caffeine, glucose, ginseng, guarana, taurine, and bitter orange. DATA SYNTHESIS: Most energy drinks contain natural products such as guarana, ginseng, and taurine. As much as 80 to 300 mg of caffeine and 35 grams of processed sugar per 8-ounce serving are commonly present in energy drinks such as Cocaine, Pimp Juice, Red Bull, and Spike Shooter. No reports were identified of negative effects associated with taurine, ginseng, and guarana used in the amounts found in most energy drinks. Commonly reported adverse effects seen with caffeine in the quantities present in most energy drinks are insomnia, nervousness, headache, and tachycardia. Four documented case reports of caffeine-associated deaths were found, as well as four separate cases of seizures associated with the consumption of energy drinks. CONCLUSION: The amounts of guarana, taurine, and ginseng found in popular energy drinks are far below the amounts expected to deliver either therapeutic benefits or adverse events. However, caffeine and sugar are present in amounts known to cause a variety of adverse health effects.
Reference:
Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks. (Kevin A Clauson, Kelly M Shields, Cydney E McQueen and Nikki Persad), In J Am Pharm Assoc (2003), volume 48, 2008.
Bibtex Entry:
@article{Clauson:2008aa,
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To describe benefits and adverse effects associated with the consumption of energy drinks. DATA SOURCES: Searches were conducted using Medline, IPA (International Pharmaceutical Abstracts), EMBASE, and MANTIS; databases such as Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Natural Standard, ALTMEDEX, and AltHealthWatch; and Google (range 1980 to September 2007). Search terms included energy drink, Red Bull, caffeine, glucose, ginseng, guarana, taurine, and bitter orange. DATA SYNTHESIS: Most energy drinks contain natural products such as guarana, ginseng, and taurine. As much as 80 to 300 mg of caffeine and 35 grams of processed sugar per 8-ounce serving are commonly present in energy drinks such as Cocaine, Pimp Juice, Red Bull, and Spike Shooter. No reports were identified of negative effects associated with taurine, ginseng, and guarana used in the amounts found in most energy drinks. Commonly reported adverse effects seen with caffeine in the quantities present in most energy drinks are insomnia, nervousness, headache, and tachycardia. Four documented case reports of caffeine-associated deaths were found, as well as four separate cases of seizures associated with the consumption of energy drinks. CONCLUSION: The amounts of guarana, taurine, and ginseng found in popular energy drinks are far below the amounts expected to deliver either therapeutic benefits or adverse events. However, caffeine and sugar are present in amounts known to cause a variety of adverse health effects.},
address = {College of Pharmacy-West Palm Beach, Nova Southeastern University, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33410, USA. clauson@nova.edu},
author = {Clauson, Kevin A and Shields, Kelly M and McQueen, Cydney E and Persad, Nikki},
crdt = {2008/07/04 09:00},
date = {2008 May-Jun},
date-added = {2022-12-31 09:03:39 +0000},
date-modified = {2023-01-02 19:43:54 +0000},
dcom = {20080917},
doi = {10.1331/JAPhA.2008.07055},
edat = {2008/07/04 09:00},
issn = {1544-3450 (Electronic); 1086-5802 (Linking)},
jid = {101176252},
journal = {J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)},
jt = {Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA},
keywords = {Energy Drinks},
language = {eng},
lid = {10.1331/JAPhA.2008.07055 {$[$}doi{$]$}},
lr = {20220318},
mh = {Beverages/*adverse effects; Caffeine/administration \& dosage/*adverse effects; Central Nervous System Stimulants/administration \& dosage/*adverse effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Energy Intake; Humans; Panax/adverse effects; Paullinia/adverse effects; Taurine/administration \& dosage/adverse effects},
mhda = {2008/09/18 09:00},
month = {May-Jun},
number = {3},
own = {NLM},
pages = {e55-63; quiz e64-7},
phst = {2008/07/04 09:00 {$[$}pubmed{$]$}; 2008/09/18 09:00 {$[$}medline{$]$}; 2008/07/04 09:00 {$[$}entrez{$]$}},
pii = {S1544-3191(15)31209-7},
pl = {United States},
pmid = {18595815},
pst = {ppublish},
pt = {Journal Article; Review},
rf = {55},
rn = {0 (Central Nervous System Stimulants); 1EQV5MLY3D (Taurine); 3G6A5W338E (Caffeine)},
sb = {IM},
status = {MEDLINE},
title = {Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks.},
url = {http://nelsontavares.com/r/papers/Safety%20issues%20associated%20with%20commercially%20available%20energy%20drinks.pdf},
volume = {48},
year = {2008},
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