The Energy Drinks - Lab Report Example

Energy drinks “Energy drinks are supposed to do just what the implies -- give you an extra burst of energy” (Watson, 2009). While Wikipedia describes energy drinks as “designed to increase a users mental alertness and physical performance by the addition of caffeine, vitamins, and herbal supplements which may interact to provide a stimulant effect over and above that obtained from caffeine alone” (Energy Drinks, 2009). “Most energy drinks are carbonated drinks that contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar with additional ingredients, such as B vitamins, amino acids (e.g. taurine), and herbal stimulants such as guarana” (Wong, 2006). Types and Claimed Benefits Some of the most popular energy drinks are Red Bull Energy Drink, Monster Energy Drink, Full Throttle Energy Drink, Amp Energy Drink, XS Energy Drink, Redline Energy Drink, Rock Star Energy Drink and Spark Energy Drink. Most are the same, with claims as stimulant to boost energy and promises to provide “strength, power, and speed, and sexuality” (Wong, 2006). Berry (2008) listed some of the claimed benefits of energy drinks, however, he also emphasized that most of these are used by the companies for marketing their products as there are few studies that would either dispute or affirm these claims: Tension, stress relief Sobering effects Improved love life Stamina Reflexes Alertness Virility Stimulates metabolism (Berry, 2008) Ingredients The main ingredient of energy drinks are metalxanthines (including caffeine) and sugar which are the primary source of energy. Some energy drinks could contain 80 mg caffeine in 237 milliliter or 8 ounces and 150 mg on 480 milliliter or 16 fluid ounces (Energy Drink, 2009). By comparison, a cup of brewed coffee contains 56-128 mg (8 fl oz/237 mL/1 cup) and an instant coffee 71-111 mg (8 fl oz/237 mL/1 cup) whereas a cola has from 23-25 mg (8 fl oz or 237 mL) and tea contains 40–50 mg (8 fl oz/237 mL) (List of Energy Drinks, 2009). Other ingredients of energy drinks include “guarana, which has a high caffeine content, and taurine, plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carbonated water, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone and ginkgo biloba (Energy Drink, 2009). Berry (2008) on the other hand reported “the inclusion of traditional medicines or ‘ancient remedies’” in energy drinks and listed the following as the possible content of energy drinks that are worthy to be mentioned: Royal Gelly (Honey bee byproduct) Ginseng (Herbal root very popular in Asia) Ashwaganda (Member of the pepper family also known as Indian ginseng) Horny Goat Weed (Chinese plant) Skullcap (North American perennial herb) White Willow (North American tree bark, natural alternative to aspirin) Black Seed (Ancient herbal remedy in Asia, Africa and the Middle East) Guarana (Fruit vine found in Amazon Basin with a powerful caffeine bean) Taurine (A naturally occurring acid) Berry also mentioned that in the wake of the growing trend for healthy lifestyle, some energy drinks included healthy ingredients such as green tea extract and fruit juices. (Berry, 2008). Watson (2008) listed the respective effects on the body of some of the ingredients in energy drinks: 1. Ephedrine is a stimulant that is usually associated with working in the central nervous system of the body. It is usually found in products that are meant as decongestants and for weight loss. 2. Taurine is an amino acid that naturally occurs and produced by the body. Its primary aim is to regulate both the muscle contractions and a person’s heartbeat. 3. Ginseng, a popular herbal root in Asia which is believed to reduce stress and increase energy levels along with some other medicinal benefits 4. Guarana seed, a shrub from Venezuela and brazil and where the caffeine in energy drinks usually comes is obviously a stimulant 5. Carnitine is an amino acid that aids in fat metabolism 6. Creatine, an organic acid that provides energy for muscle contractions 7. B-vitamins which is for the conversion of sugar in the body to energy 8. Inositol which works with inter cellular messaging in the body 9. Ginkgo biloba is believed to be a memory enhancer (Watson, 2008). Effects (desirable and not desirable) There is a “variety of physiological and psychological effects attributed to energy drinks’ (Energy Drink, 2009). There were two studies that reported “significant improvements in mental and cognitive performances as well as increased subjective alertness” (Energy Drink, 2009). However, it also stated that consumption of energy drinks in excess could bring about mild to moderate euphoria because of the stimulants which “can lead to heart palpitations, anxiety and insomnia” (Watson, 2008). Further study which involved “repeated cycling tests in young healthy adults an energy drink significantly increased upper body muscle endurance” (Energy Drink, 2009) however, “reversal of caffeine withdrawal is a major component of the effects of caffeine on mood and performance” (Energy Drink, 2009). To your health publication citing from the study published in the Journal of the American Pharmacists Association stated that “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” (Lowdown on Energy Drinks, 2009). Many publications also warn about the dangers of taking energy drinks before or during a strenuous activity. Thimm (2009) cited Rollins as he declares that “"You are losing body fluids through perspiration when walking. Caffeine compounds dehydration further," This is because caffeine is diuretic or it stimulates removal of liquid through the kidneys. Another word of caution with these energy drinks is combining such with alcohol. “One study found that men who combined energy drinks with alcohol felt alert and sober, even though they were actually drunk” (Watson, 2008). And because both the energy drink and the alcohol are diuretic, it also could lead to dehydration. “In 1991, two people in Sweden who drank alcohol with an energy drink reportedly died of dehydration, although it was never conclusively proved that the energy drink led to their deaths (Energy Drinks Stir Health Debate, 2001). Dr. Michael Hirt, a California physician, as cited by Health News expressed worry “about the smaller number of drinks that contain the drug ephedrine, a stimulant occasionally used in energy drinks that is also included in decongestants” (Energy Drinks Stir Health Debate, 2001) because the combination of the drug with caffeine “has been proven to cause deadly heart problems” (Energy Drinks Stir Health Debate, 2001). Watson reported that “In 2001, two California high school students fainted after ingesting energy drinks containing ephedrine” (Watson, 2008). To your health publication states that “Many energy drinks claim to increase energy and vitality [and] in making this claim, the manufacturers often load their concoctions with a variety of substances, including but certainly not limited to caffeine, herbs and various amino acids” (Lowdown on Energy Drinks, 2009) Then they posed the question whether the claimed health benefits are true or are there health dangers in the consumption of these drinks. Red Bull Energy drink (may be the best selling drink in the US claiming more than 40% of market share) has been banned in France after it was linked to the death of an 18-year old Irish athlete who consumed four cans of Red Bull before a game. It is also banned in Norway and Denmark while Canada requires that it carries the disclaimer that it’s not for pregnant women and children (Watson, 2008). Recommendation “Energy drinks are generally safe, but like most things, you should drink them in moderation” (Watson, 2008). Thus, everyone must still regulate intake of anything as too much of something could pose serious risks to one’s health. Energy drinks may deliver the required boost when it’s needed. But too much reliance on these artificial energy boosters could eventually sap not just the person’s energy but also expose the person’s general health to extreme danger. Reference List Berry, Ben. 2008. The Energy Drink Segment in North America. Online posting. January 2008. Agriculture and Agri food Canada. 4 May 2009. Caffeine and Energy Boosting Drugs: Energy Drinks. 2008. Online posting. 15 Dec. 2008. Brown University Health Education. 4 May 2009. . Energy Drink. 2009. Online posting. 28 April 2009. Wikipedia. 4 May 2009. 4 May 2009. Energy drinks stir health debate. 2001. Online posting. 21 Dec. 2001. Healthnews. 4 May 2009. List of Energy Drinks. 2009. Online posting. 27 April 2009. Wikipedia. 4 May 2009. The Low Down on Energy Drinks. 2009. Online posting. May 2009. To your Health (Vol. 03, Issue 05). 4 May 2009. < http://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=1189> Thimm, Anne. 2009. Dangers of Energy Drinks : High Caffeine Drinks Not Meant for Exercise. Online posting. 24 March2009. About.com. 4 May 2009. Watson, Stephanie. 2009. How do energy drinks work? Online posting. How Stuff Works. 4 May 2009. Wong, Cathy. 2006. Energy Drinks. Online posting. 6 June 2006. About.com. 4 May 2009. Read More