![]() ![]() There should be an evidence-based, upper limit for the amount of caffeine allowed in a single serving of any drink ( 4). This review of the published literature on energy drinks identifies a number of policies that might be considered by policy makers as they move to minimize the potential for harmful effects from energy drink consumption. Energy drinks in developed countries remain largely unregulated ( 5), partially because of the long term and widespread consumption of beverages such as coffee and tea in which caffeine is a natural constituent ( 1). They found that 68% of adolescents (aged 10–18 years old), 30% of adults, and 18% of children (1 mg of methylxanthines or >100 mg of taurine per 100 ml at a rate of approximately €0.81/l ( 46). In 2011, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) commissioned a study to gather consumption data for energy drinks in 16 countries of the European Union. The full impact of the rise in popularity of energy drinks has not yet been quantified, but the aggressive marketing of energy drinks targeted at young people combined with limited and varied regulation have created an environment where energy drinks could pose a significant threat to public health ( 1, 4). While no standard definition of an “energy drink” is used in the scientific literature, it is commonly understood to be a non-alcoholic drink that contains caffeine (usually its main ingredient), taurine, vitamins, and sometimes a combination of other ingredients (such as guarana and ginseng, among others), marketed for its perceived or actual benefits as a stimulant, for improving performance and for increasing energy ( 2).Īlthough energy drinks are a relatively new class of beverage, they are quickly becoming as a central part of the partying subculture, particularly among young people who commonly mix energy drinks with alcohol ( 3– 7). Energy drinks first appeared in Europe in 1987 before quickly expanding throughout the rest of Europe and appearing in the US in 1997 ( 2). Energy drinks are relatively new to the wider soft drinks market, with the first energy drink launched in Japan in 1960. The energy drink industry is booming, with sales of energy drinks estimated to be over 12.5 billion USD in 2012, an increase of 60% from 2008 to 2012 ( 2). In 2006, almost 500 new brands of energy drinks were released worldwide ( 1). ![]() The risks of heavy consumption of energy drinks among young people have largely gone unaddressed and are poised to become a significant public health problem in the future. The evidence indicating adverse health effects due to the consumption of energy drinks with alcohol is growing. The health risks associated with energy drink consumption are primarily related to their caffeine content, but more research is needed that evaluates the long-term effects of consuming common energy drink ingredients. A review of the literature was conducted to identify published articles that examined the health risks, consequences, and policies related to energy drink consumption. ![]() Recent studies provide data on consumption patterns in Europe however, more research is needed to determine the potential for adverse health effects related to the increasing consumption of energy drinks, particularly among young people. With the worldwide consumption of energy drinks increasing in recent years, concerns have been raised both in the scientific community and among the general public about the health effects of these products. 2WHO Country Office for Estonia, Tallinn, Estonia.1Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Programme, Division of Noncommunicable Diseases and Life-Course, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark.João Joaquim Breda 1* Stephen Hugh Whiting 1 Ricardo Encarnação 1 Stina Norberg 1 Rebecca Jones 1 Marge Reinap 2 Jo Jewell 1 ![]()
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