As an informed dietician or nutritionist, you’re probably aware of the energy drink craze. Over-stressed workers are downing one after the other to stay alert for today’s 12-hour days at the office. College kids cramming for exams are increasingly taking these drinks to stay awake, potentially risking a number of alarming health side effects.
Recently, 5-hour Energy came under fire after the FDA received 13 reports of deaths possibly linked to the energy drink. These claims come on the heels of five previous deaths linked to Monster Energy.
Andrea Giancoli, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, noted that individuals unaccustomed to taking large doses of caffeine will feel jittery. “You can get heart palpitations and feel agitated and nervous and like you’re bouncing off the walls,” says Giancoli. “You can feel your heart pounding very quickly, and your blood pressure goes up.”
Giancoli indicated that 300 to 500 mg (about three to five cups of coffee) is safe for most people, adding that some people can become accustomed to high amounts of caffeine over time. Caffeine's ability to keep you alert drops off in those who steadily consume more.
It’s prudent to advise patients that the FDA does not regulate energy drinks because they are regarded as dietary supplements. If regulated, most drinks would reveal levels of caffeine higher than what the FDA considers safe. Whereas sodas can contain 71 mg of caffeine per 355 ml., energy drinks can have as much as 500 mg of caffeine per serving.
Giancoli noted that caffeine in moderation can be safe for most people. “Caffeine doesn’t necessarily need to be avoided, it’s these massive amounts that we are concerned about and particularly in kids when they’re trying to get buzzed. That’s when we really become worried.”
Becky Hand, Licensed and Registered Dietitian notes that one 5-Hour Energy drink per day for healthy adults won’t present a significant potential health risk. This particular drink has about 157 milligrams of caffeine. A healthy adult should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day. So if you’re starting your day with a cup of coffee or espresso, gulping down a Supersize soda for lunch and trying to stay alert after 3 p.m. with several 5-Hour Energy drinks, you could be over stimulating your heart and body.
If you’re pregnant and breast feeding, your healthy dose of caffeine drops to no more than 200 milligrams daily. Children and teens should avoid caffeine, energy drinks and other stimulants, says the American Academy of Pediatrics. As reported in an article in the Journal of Pediatrics, energy drinks often contain high and unregulated amounts of caffeine, which have been associated with serious adverse effects, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults. These effects include seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavioral disorders.
As a dietician/nutritionist, are you advising your patients about the potential health dangers of these energy drinks?
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com
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