Are Energy Drinks Unregulated and Out of Control?

Monster. Rock Star. Red Bull. Full Throttle. Go to any convenience store, and these are the names of several energy drinks that you’ll find staring back at you through the cooler’s glass doors. They are also the same drinks that have become wildly popular among young adults. But the concern is that these drinks are also gaining popularity with teens and young kids, which is a trend that has both health officials and parents concerned – and for good reason.
A recent study from the University of Texas Medical School at Houston showed that a typical energy drink has as much caffeine as one cup of coffee and contains a quarter-cup of sugar. Now, a regular cup of coffee and four tablespoons of sugar may not sound too shocking to some people, but when mixed with other ingredients such as alcohol, the combination can be dangerous, if not lethal.
Excessive caffeine consumption in children can cause elevated heart rates, hypertension, anxiety, headaches and interrupted sleep patterns. But what has the medical community most concerned, are the unregulated herbal stimulants and natural blends often not mentioned on the labels. I’m talking about ingredients like taurine, guarana, creatine and B-vitamins.
To be fair, most of these herbs and vitamins have been studied and are used in both traditional and integrative medicine, but their effects when combined with high concentrations of caffeine are still widely unknown. And because many energy drinks are marketed as dietary supplements, the limit that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires on the caffeine content of soft drinks – 71 milligrams per 12-ounce can – does not apply to them, so they often contain amounts that can be dangerous for children and adults with certain medical conditions.
Here’s a closer look at some of these herbs and vitamins:
Taurine: A natural amino acid produced by the body that supports neurological development and helps regulate heart beat and muscle contractions. It’s found naturally in meat, fish and breast milk, but it can also be found in supplement form. Some studies suggest it can enhance athletic performance, but little is known about the long-term effects of taurine supplementation.
Ginseng: A root thought to have several medicinal properties, including reducing stress, boosting energy levels and libido, improving memory and concentration.
B-vitamins: Include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), cyanocobalamin (B12), folic acid and biotin. These vitamins help to convert sugar to energy and improve muscle tone.
Guarana: The fruit of a small shrub native to Brazil, guarana seeds contain twice the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans.
Carnitine: An amino acid that helps the body convert fat into energy. It’s produced by the body in the liver and kidneys and stored in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain and sperm.
Citicoline: A brain chemical that occurs naturally in the body. Citicoline supplements are thought to increase phosphatidylcholine, which is important for brain function. It may also help decrease tissue damage when the brain is injured.
Creatine: An organic acid that helps supply energy for muscle contractions.
Inositol: A member of the vitamin B complex (but not a vitamin itself) that helps relay messages within cells.
Ginkgo biloba: Has been extensively studied and used in traditional medicine to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory.

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