Do Energy Drinks Need Warning Labels?

According to researchers from Johns Hopkins University, energy drinks should bear labels stating their caffeine content and warning of their potential health problems. Although some drinks, like Red Bull®, contain moderate amounts of caffeine, others were shown to be equivalent to more than 14 cans of Coca Cola®.

Cola-like soft drinks are not required to list their caffeine content either, but the  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the amount of caffeine in these drinks to 70 milligrams per 12 ounces. There is no such limit for energy drinks. This is because manufacturers of energy drinks market their products as dietary supplements, which are regulated differently than food.

In the article, published in the September issue of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, the authors write, “The absence of regulatory oversight has resulted in aggressive marketing of energy drinks, targeted primarily toward young males, for psychoactive, performance-enhancing and stimulant drug effects.”

The researchers contacted more than 20 energy drink manufacturers to find out the caffeine content of their beverages. They found that the energy drinks contained anywhere from 50 to 505 milligrams of caffeine per serving, with Whoop Ass® containing the least and Wired X505® containing the most. In comparison, the authors state that coffee has about 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce serving and Coca-Cola® has 34.5 milligrams per 12-ounce serving.

The authors caution that energy drinks can have dangerous health effects, especially in children. “There are increasing reports of caffeine intoxication from energy drinks, and it seems likely that problems with caffeine dependence and withdrawal will also increase. In children and adolescents who are not habitual caffeine users, vulnerability to caffeine intoxication may be markedly increased due to an absence of pharmacological tolerance.”

The American Beverage Association released a statement on Wednesday, stating that energy drinks are safe when consumed appropriately. In fact, they claim that “energy drinks can be part of a balanced lifestyle when consumed sensibly.”

The American Beverage Association also states that energy drinks generally contain about half the amount of caffeine found in coffeehouse coffee. “Specifically, a 16-ounce regular blend coffee at a popular coffeehouse contains 320 milligrams of caffeine, while a comparable size mainstream energy drink contains about 160 milligrams. So those suggesting that energy drinks should require warning labels need to be aware of the slippery slope this would create: to be consistent, products at coffeehouses also would require such unnecessary labeling.”

For more information about energy drinks, please visit Natural Standard’s Health & Wellness database.

Comments

[Jamie]

I think labeling energy drinks is something that absolutely should be done. The study mentions that consuming energy drinks with such high caffeine content could lead to dependence, and this is a scary thought considering how many young people drink this stuff. I am not concerned about how this might lead to unnecessary labeling for some coffee drinks. I think it is more important to warn consumers who have no idea what the dangers of energy drinks are.

[Mike H.]

A lot of people on my campus drink energy drinks to study and pull all-nighters. Certain energy drink companies like Red Bull® and Monster® set up booths around campus or drive by and hand out cases of their drinks. A lot of my friends rely on them for a quick fix so they can stay awake while they study, but I'm not too sure they know about the high amounts of caffeine or its dangers. I especially can’t believe that some energy drinks contain the caffeine found in more than 14 cans of cola!

[alina]

What are the health consequences that these researchers are implying? There were no specifics listed. Also, what does caffeine intoxication present as, and how do you “de-tox?" I’m thinking it’s along the lines of racing heartbeats, jitteriness and anxiousness.

This makes me think about another topic that I have read about recently concerning Sparks®. Sparks® is an alcoholic energy beverage from MillerCoors. The Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a lawsuit against MillerCoors in the District of Columbia Superior Court, claiming that Sparks® contains unauthorized additives and poses a safety and health risk to consumers. The lawsuit also alleges that Sparks® is actively marketed to minors and other young people. Sparks contains six to seven percent alcohol by volume, while a typical beer contains about three to five percent alcohol by volume.

[Steph]

First of all, I find a problem in characterizing energy drinks as dietary supplements. I mean they are technically under that category, but people definitely consume them much more regularly. Energy drinks are not consumed by just athletes or for a particular function. I have seen varied ages use them for different reasons, but mostly for an energy boost. I think the dangers of energy drinks should be clearly marked and labeled. I especially fear that in the future young children will suffer severe effects from drinking them.

[Robert]

I find the American Beverage Association's comment about how energy drinks could be part of a balanced lifestyle interesting. I have never considered drinks like Red Bull® to be something that should be consumed regularly enough to be incorporated into your lifestyle nor do I think it is safe to do so, as shown in this research. I figure that anything that makes you hyperactive for some time and causes you to crash later can't be the safest thing for you.

[Lily]

I don't really see how labeling the caffeine content of beverages could be a bad thing. Even is this snowballed and coffee manufacturers had to label the caffeine content of their products as well, I don't see how that could be a bad thing. I think consumers have a right to know what's in the stuff they're drinking.

I personally don't drink energy drinks because I have palpitations from time to time. But 505 milligrams of caffeine is not safe for anyone!!

[Ree]

The caffeine in these products is a drug like any other. Anything that has an effect can be potentially dangerous. We, as consumers, have a right to know how much there is, especially considering the fact that caffeine can cause dependence. I’m sure healthcare providers would also like some idea of what their patients’ intake is since each product has varying amounts of caffeine. This is also an important consideration for the drug interactions that may exist with caffeine.

[B]

I agree with the American Beverage Association. If caffeine is a naturally occurring substance in coffee, and there is no limit to the size of your coffee you can buy or regulation of the caffeine content within each coffee cup or bean, there should not be a regulation for energy drinks either. The chemical inside is the same for both, and to me, energy drinks and coffee are interchangeable.

Caution should be used with caffeinated beverages in general. Common sense has been enough to regulate people’s use of coffee for as long as coffee has been used as a stimulant, the same can apply to energy drinks.

[charlotte]

This is something that has always bothered me about energy drinks. If you take a look at a can of Rockstar®, it lists an "energy blend" of a certain amount of milligrams. This "energy blend" usually has several herbs, supplements and caffeine, but one cannot tell how much caffeine is actually in the blend, since other ingredients are included in the total measurement. I love energy drinks for late-night studying, but the inner pharmacist in me is always annoyed when the quantity of a drug is not stated on its label.

[liz]

I agree with Steph and Lily. Consumers should have the right to know the contents in those energy drinks. With the high content of caffeine found in energy drinks, it would not be surprising to see an increase in dependence and withdrawal problems. The American Beverage Association claims that if consumed appropriately, energy drinks are safe. I think one way of keeping consumers safe is by labeling caffeine content.

[Anna]

This does seem to me to be a serious problem that should be dealt with appropriately. I think that it all boils down to the attraction that these energy drinks have for the younger generations, whereas coffee at a coffeehouse does not have this same appeal to them. I definitely think that energy drink manufacturers should be required to provide complete information about their products and the possible dangers of large intakes of caffeine.

[deidre]

There are a number of improvements needed to provide consumers with pertinent information about the foods and beverages that are marketed. If the American Beverage Association feels that there are no problems with their drinks, then they should welcome disclosure. The buying public rightfully has come to distrust those whose prime desire is to make money, whether it has been through the sale of cigarettes and hopped-up beverages and foods full of artificial colors, flavors and a host of carcinogens. It is time for the FDA to set a common standard for all ingested products.

[dexter]

It is very worrisome to know that people of all ages with different degrees of tolerance for caffeine may unwittingly be put at risk. The benefits of many medical drugs for the populace at large can also carry a great risk for a smaller number of people. Thus, we require all the information be spelled out. These drinks should be no exception, and the reluctance of the companies that sell them to be open and forthright reemphasizes how important access to that information has become.

[Tamara .S]

So what are energy drinks exactly? Are they safe if used in moderation? To give consumers a boost, they are made up mostly of sugar and caffeine; the sugar supplies the glucose, and the caffeine stimulates your nerves. But they contain many other things along with the sugar and caffeine, and some of them worry health experts. They increase level of energy quickly (feeling great) because sugar is turned into glucose almost immediately, but this high is relatively short-lived.

As the sugar enters blood stream you get a "blast" of energy, but a half an hour or so later you undergo a "crash" (when all the glucose is used up). You begin to feel weak and dizzy, and as a result, many people reach for another drink

[LT]

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.

Caffeine, as we all know, is a drug with pros and cons. Caffeine can help put us in a good mood in the morning or help us focus on a task at hand. But it can also make us anxious and interfere with sleep. Most people don’t realize how much caffeine and sugar they take during a day as they continue to drink these energy drinks. It’s best to label the amount of caffeine and sugar in each drink to help consumers control their caffeine and sugar intake.

[ch]

In my opinion, caffeine is not a dietary supplement. Caffeine is not an essential supplement and can have side effects. The range for the different amounts of caffeine in these energy drinks is very large and is concerning. One energy drink may have less caffeine content than a cup of coffee, whereas another energy drink may have three times the caffeine content in a cup of coffee. So labeling seems like a good idea, and some may think that coffee would also then require labeling. Any product (food or beverage) that is packaged by manufacturer and sold has a nutrition label, as should energy drinks. Asking coffee houses to provide similar labeling is impractical. Instead, I hope for public education on the caffeine content in a cup of coffee so that consumers can compare the amount of caffeine in their energy drinks to a cup of coffee.

[PK]

The article mentions that energy drinks are marketed as dietary supplements rather than as food; thus allowing them to be free from the caffeine content cap required of cola drinks. As dietary supplements, why aren’t they required to list the amount of active ingredient per serving? When purchasing other dietary supplements, we all want to know how much we are getting per dose. Why would these be any different?

[Kay]

Energy drinks absolutely should be regulated. Somehow I cannot equate energy drinks to coffee. They may have the same active constituent (caffeine), but their mode of delivery is different. One is in hot still water, while the other is in a cold, usually carbonated base. I for one would like to see a direct comparison of coffee and an energy drink with equal amounts of caffeine clinically tested. I rarely see anyone gulp down a hot cup of coffee, but I cannot say the same for energy drinks. We cannot stop people from taking in harmful drinks, but we can warn them. It wouldn’t hurt the coffee houses by posting their caffeine content.

[chowder]

I find it hilarious that the energy drink with the most "sensible" amount of caffeine is called "Whoop Ass®."

[SUMA]

I agree with the researchers from Johns Hopkins University that energy drinks should bear labels stating their caffeine content and warning of their potential health problems. Energy drinks are designed to give you fuel and energy; however, they are full of caffeine and sugar. A drink with a large amount of sugar will make you crash quickly and feel worse afterward.

My main concern is the stimulating properties of these drinks – they can increase your heart rate and blood pressure and cause palpitations. High blood pressure affects a lot of things in many ways, and these effects may not be noticed for quite some time. Caffeine is a diuretic and can enhance dehydration – not a good thing for athletes who may already be susceptible due to fluid loss from sweating.

I think the most concerning issue is the effect it can have on children who may be given these drinks by their parents because they are touted as being “natural.” For those consumers who chose to drink these energy drinks, knowing the nutrition facts on the side of the container can give them valuable information that can help them decide which drink is best for them.

[Sam]

I agree with Kay. If coffee houses are required to post their caffeine content, then this may be OK if it helps make consumers aware. I do not think coffee and energy drinks are comparable purely based on how each is marketed. I feel like energy drinks are targeting the younger generation and not providing enough warning about what these drinks can do to your system.

[Linda]

Check out the study on Red Bull that was published recently: Red Bull Drink Lifts Stroke Risk: Australian Study
Aug 14, 2008

"CANBERRA (Reuters) - Just one can of the popular stimulant energy drink Red Bull can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, even in young people, Australian medical researchers said on Friday."

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSSYD5846120080815?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews

[SK]

I read this article, Linda, and the following scared me a little: "The study does not show effects which would go beyond that of drinking a cup of coffee." So does this mean coffee can have similar severe effects on our system and be likely to increase the risk of stroke?

[kaitlin]

Energy drinks do need warning labels! Caffeine is addicting and has its side effects just like any drug. Teens these days are using energy drinks increasingly. I’m not sure if they’re aware of the potential effects, like a racing heart, for example. I’m worried that without a warning label, teens may just think that they’re drinking this to stay up and be alert and that it is as safe to drink as the other drinks in the fridge next to it.

[PK]

As I previously stated, content needs to be made available. Kay mentioned that no one gulps down a hot cup of coffee, and that coffee is hot -- I am currently gulping a lovely ice coffee. I also tend to let my coffee cool a bit so that I can gulp it down. Just some things to think about.

[arleen]

This is a Web site worth checking out: http://www.energyfiend.com. It tells you the amount of caffeine in a beverage -- whether it's coffee, soda or even food! It is suggested that although caffeine is listed on a label, the exact amount is not and that is why this site is resourceful. It has almost every branded drink sold on shelves. Until labeling is mandated on all energy drinks, consumers can look up their drinks by name on this Web site.

[Dawn]

As a mother of three kids, these energy drinks are particularly frightening. I can see the effects that sugar alone has on them -- immediate and lasting highs and energy, followed by a crash. Add caffeine in these astounding doses, and it's just nuts for children to have access to these products. The teachers at our middle school have had such trouble containing kids who have contests at lunch on who can drink more Red Bulls -- and then try to sit through a math lesson -- that they have been banned (thankfully so).

Still, that doesn't keep these so-called energy drinks out of the hands of kids who think they are cool. Marketers of these products need to be more responsible for what they're putting out there. Parents need to be more knowledgeable and aware, and we need to find ways to teach our children to ignore the "cool factor" and understand the potential harm these highly caffeinated drinks can do to their bodies.

[Becca]

There is honestly no need for anyone to consume the amount of caffeine and sugar found in most energy drinks. Consuming large amounts of caffeine and sugar and coupling it with alcohol can cause serious health risks. This is very scary. The caffeine can make you jittery and cause insomnia, panic attacks, stomach problems and cardiac arrythmias. I do think these drinks should have labels; people do not realize what exactly they contain!

[AmpedWithEnergy]

Most energy drinks nowadays have a warning, "not recommended for children or pregnant women," which I think is very appropriate. I believe energy drinks should definitely be consumed in moderation. However, more and more companies are introducing healthy energy drinks like FRS®, Verve®, Zipfizz®, etc.

I'm a big fan of energy drinks like Monsterv and Redbull®, but I'm also glad there are more choices for healthier alternatives.

[Lisa]

I do agree that energy drinks should be regulated since the caffeine content in large amounts can be harmful, especially for those who must limit their caffeine intake for medical reasons, and since people can develop a dependence for caffeine. Another reason why they should be regulated is due to the sugar content in most energy drink brands. However, if the American Beverage Association will be labeling caffeine content on energy drinks, then I also believe that coffee houses should do the same. I sometimes feel that people underestimate the caffeine content in both energy drinks and regular coffee.

[Sean Appleby]

This is an interesting discussion, but I believe the caffeine content of most energy drinks is not the only potential hazard in the drinks. Other substances with additive stimulating effects may contribute to excessive cardiovascular risks. Also, energy drinks are consumed to a much more liberal degree than cups of coffee, with teenagers and college students consuming multiple amounts of them on any given day. Also of concern are the new energy drink/alcohol combinations. These drinks have been popularized and several can be consumed on a given night of typical college binge drinking increasing risk even further. If other stimulant drugs commonly ingested (such as Adderall and Ritalin) or potentially illicit substances (such as cocaine) are combined, we are now looking at a very dangerous mix, ultimately leading to cardiovascular collapse.

[Todd Thompson]

Any product that has the potential to be abused
should contain a warning label.