Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Energy drinks are unregulated and can be dangerous

Linda Pourmassina, MD
Meds
December 1, 2010
146 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

With the darker days upon us, it may be tempting to try to fight fatigue with energy drinks.

Ever wonder what’s really in them and what they might be doing to you? I just came across an article in the November issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings that broke it down nicely.

Here’s the summary.

Caffeine.  No brainer. Interestingly, it is on the list of substances banned by the International Olympic Committee (which is just another reason you won’t see me in the Olympics). Most energy beverages (EB) contain 70-200 mg of caffeine per 16-oz serving. There is 65-125 mg in percolated coffee. Caffeine increases heart rate and blood pressure. If you drink more than 200 mg at a time, you may experience insomnia, nervousness, headache, abnormal rhythms in your heart, and nausea. Absorption is very rapid and the half-life is quite variable (from 2.7 to 9.9 hours). That morning coffee could still be “in your system” in the late afternoon. Whether it really dehydrates you is controversial and it seems that this not as likely if you are a regular caffeine drinker.

Taurine.  An amino acid (which is a building block of protein). We have tons of it and it is already in our diet. It helps the function of our muscles, among numerous other benefits on a cellular level. The amounts that are in EBs are not enough to be particularly helpful or harmful.

Glucuronolactone. Don’t try to say or remember this one. This is made in small amounts within the body. Not much is known about its effect in humans.

B vitamins. Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, inositol, and cyanocobalamin. These are important for proper cell function and energy production. Cyanocobalamin, in particular, is important in formation of red blood cells and helps maintain nerve cell function. A common deficiency we see is cyanocobalamin (B12) deficiency. When a patient has been fatigued, we take a look at the red blood cells to see evidence of B12 deficiency.

Guarana. This is a rainforest vine and guarana fruit seeds contain more caffeine than any other plant. The Amazonians used it to increase awareness and energy. Guarana overdose has been known to occur and has sent some people to the ER.

Ginseng. There are a fair amount of adverse effects with Ginseng, but the amounts in EBs are not significant.

Gingko biloba. So far, there is no evidence that it has any particular health benefits.

L-carnitine. This is also an amino acid. This is made by the liver and kidneys to increase metabolism.  But there does not appear to be any benefit to taking more than a certain amount because we can only absorb so much at once.

Sugars. Yikes. There is a lot. One typical EB (500mL) can has 13 teaspoons of sugar. I don’t think I have to say more about why this is not good.

Antioxidants. There haven’t been any significant effects in well-trained athletes when they took antioxidants.

Remember that these drinks are unregulated and often the amount of every ingredient is not known.  No more than 1 can a day is recommended (if that).

Other notable precautions:

  • EBs can cause seizures, cardiac arrest.
  • In one case report, a healthy 18-year-old died playing basketball after drinking 2 cans of Red Bull
  • Red Bull has been banned in Norway, Denmark, and France
  • Energy drinks can reduce symptoms of intoxication, increasing the probability of accidents and alcohol dependence

So, if you are going to drink energy drinks,

  • DO NOT drink energy beverages while exercising
  • DO NOT mix EBs with alcohol
  • DO NOT use energy drinks if you have high blood pressure or other heart condition

And remember to let your doctor know if you are drinking energy beverages or taking other herbal medications. Always ask your own doctor for advice.

Linda Pourmassina is an internal medicine physician who blogs at Pulsus.

Submit a guest post and be heard.

Prev

How a plumber charges more than a neurosurgeon

November 30, 2010 Kevin 118
…
Next

Fruits and veggies for everyone, including doctors

December 1, 2010 Kevin 8
…

Post navigation

< Previous Post
How a plumber charges more than a neurosurgeon
Next Post >
Fruits and veggies for everyone, including doctors

More by Linda Pourmassina, MD

  • How physician education is similar to Master Sommelier training

    Linda Pourmassina, MD
  • What doctors can learn from working at Starbucks

    Linda Pourmassina, MD
  • a desk with keyboard and ipad with the kevinmd logo

    Dr. Google is currently only medical student Google

    Linda Pourmassina, MD

More in Meds

  • 13.1 million missing Americans since 1980. Where’s the outrage?

    Steve Burgess, MD
  • Ketamine for mental health conditions: What every primary care physician needs to know

    Carlene MacMillan, MD & L. Alison McInnes, MD
  • Learn to be a Narcan hero: a comic tutorial

    Emily Watters, MD
  • The preference for insurance coverage of opioids over non-pharmaceutical options explained

    Amy Baxter, MD
  • A comic reveals the terrifying truth about fentanyl

    Emily Watters, MD
  • The importance of physician education regarding psilocybin therapy

    Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse

      Andrew Zywiec, MD | Physician
    • Man’s search for meaning is spiritual, and relevant to medicine

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Diverse paths to financial freedom for doctors [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Navigating the broken medical system: challenges faced by foreign medical graduates

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The essence of medicine: genuine connections in practice

      Jennifer Tillman, MD | Physician
    • 1 in 4 attempt suicide: the persecution of autistic physicians

      Patricia Celan, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Diverse paths to financial freedom for doctors [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • AI-driven diagnostics and beyond

      Michael Kirsch, MD | Tech
    • Applying the differential diagnosis method to investing

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • Pediatricians grapple with guns in America, from Band-Aids to bullets

      Tasia Isbell, MD, MPH | Policy
    • 13.1 million missing Americans since 1980. Where’s the outrage?

      Steve Burgess, MD | Meds
    • Surgical procedures for inpatients: Addressing socioeconomic urgencies

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 4 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • FDA Advisors Grapple With Logistical, Ethical Issues of Artificial Womb Technology
  • Reassuring Registry Data on Going Into TAVR Sans Symptoms
  • Inhaled Glucocorticoid Flops for Speeding COVID Recovery in Outpatients
  • Blood, CSF Marker Detects Parkinsonian Disorders
  • Common Environmental Chemicals May Be Tied to Postpartum Depression

Meeting Coverage

  • Stopping Medical Misinformation Requires Early Detection
  • AI Has an Image Problem in Healthcare, Expert Says
  • Want Better Health Outcomes? Check Out What Other Countries Do
  • ERS Roundup: Cell Transplant Boosts Lung Function in COPD Patients
  • Benralizumab Allows Inhaled Corticosteroid Taper for Asthma Patients
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Unveiling excessive medical billing and greed

      Amol Saxena, DPM, MPH | Policy
    • I’m a doctor, and I almost died during childbirth

      Bayo Curry-Winchell, MD | Physician
    • Ethical considerations in medicine: unity and open discourse

      Andrew Zywiec, MD | Physician
    • Man’s search for meaning is spiritual, and relevant to medicine

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Diverse paths to financial freedom for doctors [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape

      Tami Burdick | Conditions
    • Balancing opioid medication in chronic pain

      L. Joseph Parker, MD | Conditions
    • I want to be a doctor who can provide care for women: What states must I rule out for my medical education?

      Nandini Erodula | Education
    • Navigating the broken medical system: challenges faced by foreign medical graduates

      Anonymous | Physician
    • The essence of medicine: genuine connections in practice

      Jennifer Tillman, MD | Physician
    • 1 in 4 attempt suicide: the persecution of autistic physicians

      Patricia Celan, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Diverse paths to financial freedom for doctors [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • AI-driven diagnostics and beyond

      Michael Kirsch, MD | Tech
    • Applying the differential diagnosis method to investing

      Amarish Dave, DO | Finance
    • Pediatricians grapple with guns in America, from Band-Aids to bullets

      Tasia Isbell, MD, MPH | Policy
    • 13.1 million missing Americans since 1980. Where’s the outrage?

      Steve Burgess, MD | Meds
    • Surgical procedures for inpatients: Addressing socioeconomic urgencies

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Energy drinks are unregulated and can be dangerous
4 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...