Energy drink
[3] Most effects of energy drinks on cognitive performance, such as increased attention and reaction speed, are primarily due to the presence of caffeine.
[5] Advertising for energy drinks usually features increased muscle strength and endurance, but there is no scientific consensus to support these claims.
[6] Energy drinks have been associated with many health risks, such as an increased rate of injury when usage is combined with alcohol, and excessive or repeated consumption can lead to cardiac and psychiatric conditions.
[7][8] Populations at risk for complications from energy drink consumption include youth, caffeine-naive or caffeine-sensitive, pregnant, competitive athletes and people with underlying cardiovascular disease.
Marketing of energy drinks has been particularly directed towards teenagers, with manufacturers sponsoring or advertising at extreme sports events and music concerts, and targeting a youthful audience through social media channels.
[3] Most of the effects of energy drinks on cognitive performance, such as increased attention and reaction speed, are primarily due to the presence of caffeine.
[4] Advertising for energy drinks usually features increased muscle strength and endurance, but there is little evidence to support this in the scientific literature.
[14][15] Adverse effects associated with caffeine consumption in amounts greater than 400 mg include nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, increased urination, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and dyspepsia.
However, companies often place the caffeine content of their drinks on the label regardless, and some advocates are urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change this practice.
[16][17] Excessive consumption of energy drinks can have serious health effects resulting from high caffeine and sugar intakes, particularly in children, teens, and young adults.
[18] Excessive or repeated consumption of energy drinks can lead to cardiac problems, such as arrhythmias and heart attacks, and psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and phobias.
Bacchus-F, a South Korean drink closely modeled after Lipovitan, also appeared in the early 1960s and targets a similar demographic.
[citation needed] In Europe, Dietrich Mateschitz, an Austrian entrepreneur, introduced the Red Bull product, a worldwide bestseller in the 21st century.
[41][42][43] Energy drinks generally contain methylxanthines (including caffeine), B vitamins, carbonated water, and high-fructose corn syrup or sugar (for non-diet versions).
Other common ingredients are guarana, yerba mate, açaí, and taurine, plus various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, inositol, carnitine, creatine, glucuronolactone, sucralose or ginkgo biloba.
[10] In the United States, the caffeine content of energy drinks is in the range of 40 to 250 mg per 8 fluid ounce (237 ml) serving.
[53][54] The Canada Border Services Agency is supposed to stop such products from entering the country but does not often patrol energy drinks to verify that they meet regulations.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration criticized the functional beverages' added ingredients such as B vitamins, inositol, glucuronolactone, and taurine.
High caffeine content was also stated as an issue – only amounts up to 150 mg/L were allowed in beverages; in 2009 the limit was raised to 320 mg/L and taurine and glucuronolactone were approved as ingredients, making energy drinks legal.
[59] In June 2016, Latvia banned the sale of energy drinks containing caffeine or stimulants like taurine and guarana to people under the age of 18.
[68] In 2001, the UK Committee on Toxicity investigated Red Bull, finding it safe but issuing a warning against its consumption by children and pregnant women.
Headteacher Falklanda Sanders added that "This was a preventative measure, as all research shows that consuming high-energy drinks can have a detrimental impact on the ability of young people to concentrate in class."
[76] In January 2019, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan signed a law that imposes a number of restrictions on energy drinks.
To protect the younger generation, a rule was introduced prohibiting the sale of energy drinks to persons under the age of 18.
