Expert: Peter L. - 2/18/2011

Question
Hi, I am a student and I am currently working on a project and would like to ask some questions.
I am looking into the effects of energy drinks and would like to know how the effect the body and the harm the can cause. Also i was wondering if their are varying effects on athletes, children and adults. Is there any way that they can be good for you? I've heard that some teens take it to help their ADHD or ADD, but with taking other medicines does that really help?
I know there are substances in energy drinks that can cause a person to get addicted, but what are those substances and how do some of them individually effect the body?
Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Courtney,

Energy drinks are a relatively new phenomenon, but we always had stimulants for the same reasons over the counter.  You probably remember Vivarin, which is still around.  It's just a high- caffeine stimulant.  There were also some over the counter diet pills, which may also be sold today.

Energy drinks are full of caffeine and taurine, the latter probably not being so bad, but the former is a different question.  Lots of caffeine is not particularly good for the body, causing anxiety and nervousness, sleep problems, headaches, muscle tension, and tiredness, believe it or not.  These drinks are also full of sugar, and god knows we consume too much of that already.

Athletes might be able to burn off this stimulation, and maybe it's not so harmful to them.  Teens and adults might sense some benefit for ADD symptoms, but I don't really see those drinks as the solution, or alternative to a prescribed medication.  If one is taking other meds, the caffeine may be contraindicated.  Actually, I've not know much about this combination and did a google search.  Indeed, there are many warnings about the overingestion of caffeine and prescribed medications.  Of course this is based on significant amounts of caffeine consumed, not just the amount in a couple cups of coffee.  The amount in energy drinks would certainly be a red flag.

The only substance I can think of in an energy drink that might be addictive is caffeine.  And contrary to what most people think, caffeine can be addictive; Of course it's not the kind of addiction that makes people dysfunctional and problematic, like alcohol or cocaine. People with caffeine addictions usually experience headaches in the morning if they don't have at least a cup of coffee. Again, caffeine addiction causes the symptoms described above, and while not powerful enough to uproot one's life, can still create some problems.

Hope this helps!

Peter