By Beth Gilbert Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, M.D., M.P.H.
Anais
Fournier, a 14-year-old Maryland girl with a heart arrhythmia, drank
two 24-ounce Monster Energy drinks in a 24-hour period.
After six days in a coma, she was pronounced brain dead.
Caffeine toxicity, which hurt her heart's ability to pump blood, caused
her death, an autopsy found. Now, her parents are suing Monster Beverage
Corp., the company that makes the drinks, claiming that it does not adequately
warn consumers of the risks of high-caffeine drinks.
Fournier's case is one
of five Monster-related deaths reported to the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration, which is now launching an investigation into
the safety
of energy drinks, shots and chews, which have skyrocketed in popularity
in recent years. Although these products provide the temporary energy rush
consumers crave, they also contain a substantial
amount of caffeine, sugar
and other ingredients that can sometimes lead to serious side effects such
as insomnia, an increased or irregular heartbeat, agitation, irritability
and seizure, and possibly even death. Here are the dangers of energy drinks,
caffeine pills and other products to be aware of before you reach for a shot.
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Risk: Caffeine Overload
Many energy drinks and other products feature very large amounts of caffeine
— approximately three times the amount found in a regular cup of coffee
— often along with other stimulants. The problem with consuming large amounts
of caffeine is two-fold, explains K. Steven Whiting, Ph.D., of Phoenix Nutritionals
in San Diego and author of “Healthy Living Made Easy.” One, it targets the
central nervous system directly. Two, it can lead to dehydration and loss
of water-soluble nutrients that have a calming effect on the central nervous
system. This combined effect can cause agitation and sleep problems and potentially
lead to the development of long-term anxiety issues.
Risk: Too Many 'Energy-Boosting' Ingredients
Caffeine may not be the only stimulant in your energy drink. Many of these
products contain similar ingredients, from various forms of caffeine to guarana,
acai berry, taurine, ginseng, arnitine, creatine, inositol and ginkgo biloba
— all of which have stimulating effects. “Taurine has been shown to improve
athletic performance so this may be the reason why it is added to many of
these drinks — and mixing taurine with caffeine may increase mental performance,
but this research remains inconclusive,” says Amy Shapiro, R.D., C.D.N.,
of Real Nutrition in New York City.
Risk: Sugar Overload
Other dangers of energy drinks can be traced to the fact that they're also
loaded with sugar, a particular health risk for children and people at risk
for diabetes. Even for non-diabetics, all the sugar causes a crash a few
hours later, leaving the drinker more exhausted than before they had the
drink. Keep in mind that while sugar-free energy drinks may be a better option,
sugar-free versions of Red Bull, Amp, Rockstar, NOS and Crunk still carry
serious risks because of their high caffeine content and artificial ingredients,
including artificial sweeteners like aspartame.
Beware of Energy Drinks for Kids
With endorsements from cartoon characters and famous athletes, many energy
drinks are marketed directly to kids and teens. “Young people really need
to be careful with these energy products because their central nervous system
is not full developed and [the drinks] can lead to longer-term health problems,” Whiting
warns. Talk to your child's doctor about whether any amount of caffeine is
acceptable, and make sure your teen knows the possible dangers of drinking
these products.
In the lawsuit against Monster, Fournier's mother says that the caffeine
in energy drinks should be regulated, particularly because the drinks are
heavily marketed to teens and children.
Do Not Mix: Energy Drinks And Alcohol
Some energy drinks not only contain high amounts of caffeine and sugar but
also high amounts of alcohol and have been associated with serious side effects,
including death. Some states, including New York, have banned drinks that
combine alcohol and caffeine, but many people continue to mix them through
Red Bull-vodka cocktails, among others. “The combination of alcohol and caffeine
may lead to adverse effects, as the presence of caffeine increases the absorption
of alcohol, which can increase intoxication,” Shapiro says. Although many
people may think that the caffeine in these drinks can prevent the drowsiness
associated with drinking alcohol, it cannot prevent the effects that alcohol
has on the brain.
The Problem With Energy Shots
Energy shots, including 5-Hour Energy and 6-Hour Energy, provide a burst
of energy to help you get through the day and typically do not contain large
amounts of sugar, but the amount of caffeine they contain is unclear. “The
problem with these energy products is no one really knows how much is too
much,” says Whiting. “The manufacturers have not done any studies to determine
the appropriate amount, as caffeine is an uncontrolled substance. They don't
put any warnings or precautions on these products either.”
Energy Strips Caution
Energy strips, including LeBron James's Caffeine Strips, are packaged like
breath strips and are marketed to teens and tweens. They have the same dangers
as energy drinks. “Energy strips are likely absorbed much quicker than other
energy products as they are absorbed directly into the bloodstream through
the tongue,” Shapiro explains.
The Dangers Of Caffeine Pills
Caffeine or energy pills carry a greater risk for adverse effects when used
in combination with other energy products. “The problem is that many people
probably use more than one form of these products to stay awake,” Whiting
says. “They take an energy or caffeine pill in the morning, have a cup of
coffee, and in the middle of the afternoon have an energy drink — it can
be very harmful to have this excess of caffeine.”
Energy Drinks With Caffeine: Moderation is Key
“I believe that these drinks — when consumed in moderation and for a purpose
— can provide individuals with the energy boost that they need in order
to perform better, stay awake longer, or get through a long day [or] activity,” Shapiro
says. “However, it is important to note that using
these products in moderation and not consuming more than your body can tolerate are essential to prevent
unwanted and unsafe side effects.”