Column: The Energy Drink Wave

There is a new wave of liquid products that can be found tumbling into convenience stores across the globe. Energy drinks are the latest and greatest fad among teens, students, and athletes. They are consumed to help students pull all-nighters, for party power, and enhanced athletic performance.

With names ranging from Pimp Juice® to Cocaine® it is no wonder most parents are concerned about the appropriateness and safety of these products among our youth.

What are Energy Drinks?

Energy drinks are mixtures of sugar, caffeine, and a variety of herbal products touted to provide people with boosts of energy to help them perform better in school, at work, and in sports. Some examples of herbals found in these products include taurine, guarana, and ginseng, all of which have stimulant properties.

What are the Risks?

Dehydration: The primary concern relating to the use of energy drinks is the risk of dehydration. Caffeine, which is a principal component of these drinks, is a diuretic and can lead to excess fluid loss. Symptoms of dehydration include:

Early symptoms: Thirst, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness

Advanced symptoms: Increased heart rate and body temperature, decreased sweating and urination, muscle cramps, nausea, tingling of extremities

Severe symptoms: Muscle spasms, vomiting, confusion, seizures, dim vision, racing pulse, and unconsciousness

There are two incidences where dehydration especially poses a risk. The first is among athletes who consume these beverages to gain extra stamina for competition. The combination of sweat and caffeine can lead to rapid dehydration and poses serious health risks.

Secondly, when energy drinks are mixed with alcohol, there is also an increased risk for dehydration. Alcohol, like caffeine, is also a diuretic and combining the two has the potential for real problems. Besides depleting your body of fluids, the stimulant properties of energy drinks can "fool" your body into thinking it is not intoxicated. This has the potential to create disaster when used inappropriately.

Excess Sugar Intake: Our society is in the midst of an obesity epidemic and our children are at the center of this devastating trend. Sugar-filled sodas now have a new friend that is enhanced with herbals and mega doses of caffeine—energy drinks. Not only does all this extra sugar increase the risks of developing diabetes and weight gain, it also contributes to poor dental health.

The combination of a sugar high and caffeine rush also sets the body up for failure later on. Sure, an energy drink may, in fact, provide a burst of energy, but the body tends to crash after the initial "buzz" has worn off. Caffeine is a drug and it has addictive properties. Like in persons who abuse narcotic drugs, those who abuse caffeine have to continually increase their doses in order to achieve the same effects. This can lead to caffeine addiction and withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. Also, young children are especially sensitive to the effects of caffeine and will often experience jitteriness, moodiness, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.

Long Term Safety: The long term safety of many herbals used in energy drinks is not known. Neither are the long-term effects of excessive caffeine consumption.

Caffeine and Calorie Comparisons:

1) Pepsi®: 25 mg caffeine per serving*; **100 calories

2) Starbucks® Espresso: 35 mg caffeine per serving (1 oz); 5 calories

3) Cocaine®: 280 mg caffeine per serving; 70 calories

4) Diesel®: 110 mg caffeine per serving; **110 calories

5) Pimp Juice®: 105 mg caffeine per serving; 140 calories

6) Red Bull®: 80 mg caffeine per serving; **110 calories

7) Rockstar®: 79 mg caffeine per serving; **110 calories

*Totals based on average serving size of 8 ounces (Unless stated otherwise)

**Sugar-free versions available

What do all these numbers mean? Well, drinking one 8-ounce can of Cocaine® equals 280 mg of caffeine, or approximately 8 espressos in one sitting. Luckily it is only distributed in a few states right now and 7-Eleven stores have pulled it off shelves. Red Bull®, which is one of the most popular drinks, contains about 80 mg per can, or about 2 espressos.

The lethal dosage of caffeine for 50% of the population (LD50) is 10 grams per day. If a person consumed a case of Cocaine® energy drinks that would equal about 6 grams of caffeine—almost enough to kill you.

Energy drinks are also another source of empty calories in kids. There are, fortunately, sugar-free versions now available for some. Some kids crave the sugar and caffeine combination, however, and are not likely to sample the diet varieties of their beloved new "cans of energy."

As a side note, you are most likely offended by a couple of these names. I know I was but, then again, I am a thirty-something mom who goes to bed by nine-o-clock most nights. Pimp juice® was quite surprising to me but Cocaine® was the absolute bottom-of-the barrel.

What is a Parent to Do?

When we become parents, we also become eternal role models for our children. They look to us for guidance on how to tie their shoes, why the sky is blue, and how to make the right decisions regarding life's obstacles. So how do we let them know about the possible dangers of caffeine as they watch us down our four cups of coffee every morning? Practice what we preach of course. As long as they do not see you guzzle a few energy drinks before you go to the gym, you are good to go.

Aside from the sometimes-obnoxious names, an occasional energy drink will probably not hurt your child (with the exception of downright dangerous products like Cocaine®). If the consumption of one energy drink a day is our biggest concern in our teens, then life is great. It is the illegal stuff that raises conflict for most parents. So, do your part in educating your kids about the possible dangers especially with exercise and alcohol, and let them know how much you love them. After you do all that, your work is done, at least until the next wave crashes your way.

P.S.S. (Parent Sanity Saver): Energy drinks coupled with candy don't mix. This could lead to a "mega" case of the jitters.

Dr. Tara Kompare is a Doctor of Pharmacy graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University and the mother of two wonderful little girls. E-mail questions/comments to drk@themedicinemom.com or visit her website at

www.themedicinemom.com.