ENERGY drinks were launched over 35 years ago and have since been a growing profitable business worldwide with an anticipated global market of US$86B by 2026. In the initial years the dangers from excessive consumption were not established and may have been overlooked, especially with the current vested interest in such exchange-traded funds and their prime sponsorship to key health and fitness events. However as more research, sensitisation and discussions are highlighting the consequences of overindulgence of these types of readily accessible beverages, leading to a looming public health crisis, the question beckons should energy drinks be restricted.

In over 167 countries, energy drinks have appealed to a target audience of teenagers and young adults to enhance mental alertness and maximise physical performance, thus energising the body. If you read the labels you will see ingredients such as caffeine, guarana, taurine and L-carnitine but in unusually larger amounts than required or found in natural foods. Guarana is derived from a Brazilian cocoa bean that is almost double the potency of the coffee bean. Taurine is the chemical naturally found in fish and meat but in smaller amounts, which regulates energy levels. L-carnitine, a popular chemical found in fat burners, helps the body in the conversion from fat to energy. Additionally, there are lots of added sugars or carbohydrates which also give a “sugar rush” elevating the blood glucose levels. Combination of vitamins may also be added to the formula and marketed as a booster for the human machine.

The packaging of such energy products vary in sizes from snap shots to soda sizes with the comparison of at least two to six times the amount of caffeine contained in a regular cola. As a first time consumer you may notice an increase in your heart rate within minutes of consumption. But if you are a habitual consumer, the elevated heart rate and blood pressure may be noticed only if you use a blood pressure monitor. Frequent fluctuations on the heart functions causing irregular heart rhythms, especially from a healthy person, can induce unnecessary cardiac events such as a heart attack.

Energy drinks create an initial caffeine rush experience after which there is a subsequent “sugar-crash” or burn out phase. So to get back that burst of energy, more of the substance maybe consumed, which becomes a vicious cycle and leads to overindulgence. There is the practice of “drink binging” which may appeal to a younger crowd, especially when they want to “impress” their counterparts of how much more alcohol they can consume. So when they combine energy drinks and alcohol they do not feel as intoxicated and they become unaware of their motor skills and reaction time incoordination. On a more consequential note, such practices may severely impair one’s judgement and may result in risky behaviours such as unprotected or unwanted sexual intercourse or driving under the influence, which can be deadly. In some unfortunate incidences, fatal events due to cardiac arrest were recorded in healthy young persons who were involved in drink binging.

A 2019 report on the effects of energy drinks on children was presented to the Parliament of the United Kingdom by the Science and Technology Select Committee, where considerations were made for either prohibitions of sale or voluntary sale restrictions by retailers who sell to children age 16 and under. However in most countries, outside of the European Union, no statutory requirements for labelling of these products are instituted so that informed decisions can be made by consumers. The American Beverage Association comprising of 95 per cent of energy drinks manufacturers diverted government regulations in 2014 by the adoption of the “ABA Guidance for Responsible Labelling and Marketing of Energy Drinks”, having classified and marketed same as beverages and not dietary supplements. It was not until 2014 that the amount of caffeine contained in a stipulated serving size was voluntarily declared. The European Union made cautionary labels a requirement for all products (except teas and coffee), exceeding quantities of 150mg of caffeine per litre. Alerts such as “High caffeine content” and “Not recommended for children, pregnant or breast feeding mothers” are visible on those products manufactured in that zone.

However only when enough supporting data can be obtained, then legal stipulations for consumer protection can be advocated, either by cautionary labels or institution of reclassification requirements, thereby restricting the sale and consumption of such camouflaged beverages.

There is evidence that excessive consumption of energy drinks had caused a number of visits to the Emergency Room in more advanced counties, where as high as 10 percent resulted in hospital admissions.

Other undesirable effects that you may experience after continuous consumption are anxiety, restlessness and insomnia. Some mental health conditions may become more pronounced if triggered by sleep deprivation such as depression and poor memory. Persons have reported of stomach irritation and muscle twitching or hand tremor. Due to the high sugar content (54 to 62g per 16 oz. can) some consumers may have experienced weight gain, tooth decay and on a more serious note increase diabetic risk and kidney disease. Expansion of the product portfolio now presents a sugar-free option, which contains artificial sweeteners such as aspartame or acesulfame K.

In Guyana more patients are presenting with kidney failure, including the younger generation, who require dialysis, a treatment that is a financial burden to families or the state. Further research to investigate if there is a link between kidney failure and energy drinks may be invaluable since this is the same target group that may indulge in such social practices.

Like the cigarette industry, it was only after overwhelming evidence linking the consumption to its long term health hazard that cautionary labels (such as “smoking is injurious to health”) and graphic health images were legally mandated to market this type of commodity. For many years, this highly hazardous industry was glamorised and marketed to enhance male prowess, which sadly shortened the lives of a number of male breadwinners and caused a rippled decimation across families.

Some safe suggestions to improve your energy level require self-discipline to restrict the use of technological gadgets before bedtime, physical exercise early in the day, adequate hydration and at least seven to eight hours of sleep.

For further discussions, contact the pharmacist of Medicine Express PHARMACY located at 223 Camp Street, between Lamaha and New Market Streets. If you have any queries, comments or further information on the above topic kindly forward them to medicine.express@gmail.com or send them to 223 Camp Street, N/burg. Tel #225-5142.