Are energy drinks enervating?

WITHOUT enough time to study, students usually turn to energy drinks when rushing reviews for an examination. Although energy drinks are said to boost one’s mind and body, most people are unaware of their long-term effects – longer than their supposed energizing kick, and some of the effects may be harmful.

“There are a lot of discrepancies in energy drinks. Manufacturers do not specify how much caffeine or other components are in these drinks,” Bernadette Platon, clinical dietitian of the UST Hospital, told the Varsitarian. “Most would just give the ingredients but not the actual amount of their specific contents.”

According to Platon, energy drink brands such as Red Bull, Lipovitan, and Extra Joss can provide vigor associated with wakefulness because of their caffeine and high sugar contents. But their other effects may be bad.

“Energy drinks are cold and ingested faster, so there is faster absorption compared to the slow sipping of a cup of hot coffee,” Platon said. “But when the primary stimulating effect of energy drinks wears off, the immediate effects are nervousness, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and even insomnia,” she said.

According to the Scientific Committee on Food in Finland, moderate consumption of energy drinks has no detrimental effects but children and pregnant women are advised to avoid consumption of drinks that contain high levels of caffeine.

In a December 2006 New York Times article, Bruce Goldberger, a toxicologist at the University of Florida, said that the caffeine content of energy drinks should be listed on their labels since people with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and certain anxiety disorders need to avoid excessive caffeine intake.

On the other hand, a research conducted by the University of the West in England found that energy drinks can improve mental performance because of the combination of different substances. Assessment tests included choice reaction time, concentration through number cancellation, and immediate memory recall. Some of the other components of energy drinks are taurene, glucuronolactone, and ginseng, claimed to help in cell metabolism, although there are no sufficient research data regarding the effect of these substances. Ginseng has been proven to help in balancing certain body processes, decreasing blood sugar, and improving muscle tone.

“But the amount of ginseng in energy drinks is not specified on labels so the actual effects cannot be assessed,” Platon said.

Misleading information in food labels is often not accurate because of the lack of legal limits for manufacturers regarding energy drink components.

“There is still no suggested safe amount of intake for these drinks in the Philippines, but manufacturers suggest drinking not more than 500 mL of these drinks to avoid their harmful effects,” Platon said.

The suggested regular daily intake of caffeine is 80-100 mg, equivalent to one cup of coffee a day. Instant coffee contains 70 mg caffeine while brewed coffee has up to 120 mg caffeine. Dark colored tea like black tea has 45 mg caffeine while light colored tea, like green tea, has 20 mg caffeine. Soft drinks have similar amount of caffeine ranging from 20 to 40 mg.

With the lack of information given to the public, energy drinks are sometimes confused with supplements.

“Supplements like multivitamins are not the same as energy drinks. Supplements are taken by individuals who are not eating balanced meals,” Platon said. “Even though energy drinks and supplements are readily available for a balanced diet, nothing beats enough rest, sufficient fluid intake, and exercise.”

To be alert and refreshed during the day, Platon suggested that people start the day with a heavy breakfast. Regular meals, enough sleep, and adequate water intake of nine to 12 glasses are recommended energy boosters. Although drinking fluids can include juices, coffee, and even energy drinks, Platon advised that water is still the best fluid to take. When preparing for an examination, snacks can be taken like fruits or anything watery and fleshy so that the body will not feel dehydrated.

“Do not go beyond the limit in drinking and depending too much on fads like energy drinks,” Platon said. “They can abuse your body.”