Energy Drinks Can Contain Dangerous Levels of Caffeine

High Caffeine Levels May Cause Health Problems

Manufacturers of popular energy drinks that contain caffeine are not required to list how much of the stimulant their drinks contain. And, the FDA reports there are no limits on the amount of caffeine that dietary supplements can contain. By contrast, over-the-counter stimulant medications are regulated by the FDA as to how much caffeine they can contain, and so are soft drink manufacturers.

This is a problem for consumers, a new study reports, because they have no way of knowing in advance if what they're drinking could lead to caffeine abuse and intoxication, which, in turn, can lead to GI upset, tremors, nervousness, tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and psychomotor agitation. The investigators also reported that there is strong evidence to suggest that caffeine can produce substance dependence syndrome in some people.

Dr. Reissig, from Johns Hopkins, lead author of the study, reported that the amount of caffeine in 1 energy drink can be more than that found in 12 cans of Coke. Coke, and other soft drink manufacturers cannot put more than 71 mg of caffeine in their 12 ounces packages. But in 2006, researchers at the University of Florida found 67 mg of caffeine in 8 ounces of Redbull, and 141 mg in 16 ounces of SoBe's No Fear, two drinks that are popular among youth and university students, a vulnerable consumer population targeted by makers of energy drinks.

This latest study found 42 cases of caffeine abuse reported to the US Poison Control Center between 2002 and 2004, all of which resulted from caffeine-enhanced drinks. And between 2004 and 2006 there 9 reports of adverse reactions to the energy drink Redline, reported by just one poison control center. The youngest person affected was 13.

SEPT-26-08: Energy Drink Labels Don't Predict High Caffeine Jolt [MEDPAGETODAY: CAFFEINE IN ENERGY DRINKS]

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Last updated on Sep-30-08