The energy drink industry has exploded, offering a wide variety of beverages purporting numerous claims of physical and nutritional benefit. Claims range from providing an energy boost, stimulating weight loss, and improving endurance to improving sexual performance and concentration. Consistent with the supplement industry many of the ingredients go beyond the defined energy and non-energy yielding nutrients. Many energy drinks contain herbal extracts or proprietary blends which have not been extensively evaluated. Most strive to offer a stimulant effect as evidenced by large quantities of taurine, guarana, and caffeine. They often complement these sympathetic stimulants with water soluble vitamins aimed at enhancing energy metabolism.

Beverages consumed to stimulate alertness and add perceived energy are common place in the American culture. Traditionally, many Americans have started their day with a cup of coffee for the stimulant effects of caffeine. In recent times, the morning kick start has grown into a 16-20 oz. serving of Starbucks high potency blends. Today the coffee trend has been expanded to include cold energy drinks ranging in size from the 8 oz. Red Bull that started it all, to the mega size Rockstar and Monster. Every national brand is participating in the billion dollar industry including Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Co, and their smaller competitors. The on-the-go energy seems like the answer to the ever increasing, high-paced American culture.

Energy is often looked at synonymously with work. Therefore, any drink designed to influence our potential output would seem to be a healthy alternative to the numerous beverages that simply quench thirst, particularly since everyone could use more energy in their day. So, are the beverages, in fact, healthier than other selections?

The sugar content in most energy drinks is the only source of calories, for example SOBE No Fear contains 33 grams of sugar (approximately 9 teaspoons of sugar) in a 8.3 fl.oz. can. This is the usual single serving of this type of beverage. Now consider the average person drinks the full can. In a 16 fl. oz. can, all the ingredients are doubled, increasing the sugar intake to 66 grams (approximately 18 teaspoons of sugar). This is consistent with Full Throttle, Rockstar, Monster, and RedBull (the list goes on and on). Individuals drinking two cans per day actually consume almost a quarter of their daily caloric need (2000 kcal) in sugar calories from the beverages alone.

Most companies realize some consumers try to avoid sugar and calories, offering an alternative sugar-free version. Ironically, these “energy” drinks contain little energy. Although a definite improvement over the high sugar versions, there are still the factors of the beverages replacing water intake and the high levels of caffeine being consumed. The adverse effects associated with caffeine consumption in amounts > 400 mg include arrhythmias, irritability, sleepiness, nervousness, increased urination, and upset stomach. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, and when consumed in excess can contribute to dehydration. An 8.0 fl. oz. serving of Monster energy drink contains 80 mg of caffeine, therefore if one is to consume two 16 fl. oz. cans their caffeine intake would be approximately 320 mg. This is of particular concern for the target market, “active young adults” who often consume other caffeinated beverages throughout the day, easily leading to excessive amounts of caffeine.

If the energy derived from the drinks is based on sugar calories and sympathetic stimulants, a crash is often the likely outcome. This up/down sensation often causes consumers to increase servings throughout the day to keep the “high” feeling of energy which can lead to unhealthy intake and behavior patterns. Likewise, if the full calorie versions are consumed, it can add a high consumption of calories with little nutritional value.