Feature Articles: Food, Fitness and
Eating Well
What’s the Buzz on Energy Drinks?
Tammy Roberts, MS, RD, LD, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, University of Missouri in Barton County, University of Missouri Extension
Walk in to any convenience store and you know by the amount of refrigerator space they take that energy drinks are extremely popular. The “energy” provided by these drinks comes from stimulants and sugar.
Some of the most commonly used stimulants in energy drinks are caffeine, guarana, ginseng and green tea.
Caffeine is a stimulant that occurs naturally in coffee and added to many soft drinks. Intake of up to 300 milligrams of caffeine is considered to be OK for most adults. Children should consume well under 100 milligrams per day. One cup of coffee has about 100 milligrams of caffeine; a 12 ounce cola drink has around 45 milligrams. Energy drinks have as much as 85 milligrams of caffeine per 8 ounces. That is less than a cup of coffee but the can might be 24 ounces which would provide 255 milligrams. Teens report that they drink more than one can per day. It can be difficult to know exactly how much caffeine you are consuming from energy drinks because food manufacturers are required to list the presence of caffeine but not required to list the exact amount. Negative side effects of caffeine include nervousness, irritability, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and difficulty sleeping.
According to Web MD, guarana is a nervous system stimulant that comes from the seeds of the guarana plant. It is often found in herbal supplements that promote weight loss. The Food and Drug Administration does not do a premarket review for safety or effectiveness of dietary supplements.
Ginseng is thought to improve thinking or learning. In some studies benefits of using ginseng have been seen in healthy young people as well as in ill older people. It is important to note that negative results have also been reported. According to the National Institutes of Health, more and better research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made about ginseng. There is not enough scientific information available to recommend the safe use for ginseng in children.
Some people believe that green tea helps with memory enhancement and improves mental performance but according to the National Institutes of Health, there is unclear scientific evidence for the use of green tea for that purpose. Green tea has approximately 50 milligrams of caffeine per one cup.
Last update: Tuesday, November 20, 2007
 |
Site Administrator: |
|
|
|
