A friend of mine, Jeff wondered
what is in energy drinks that makes them work and are they safe.
That sent me scouring my personal stash and the web for answers. The
following excludes the larger volume drinks, such as Monster, Red
Bull, etc., and offerings from Pepsi, Coke, and others. Those all
have their own host of reasons to avoid, but that is for another
discussion.
Most of the two ounce shot energy drinks contain varying amounts of
taurine, caffeine, sucralose (splenda), niacin, vitamin B12, B6,
folic acid, sodium, acai fruit extract, guarana, and many other
ingredients that are almost impossible to spell or pronounce. Others
have green tea, L-carnitine, ginseng, yohimbine, and all contain
water and natural and artificial ingredients (whatever that means).
Most have zero calories listed. Many have warning not to take more
than one every four or six hours (likely in self defense from the
FDA).
Many are described as an energy shot to enhance concentration and
improve performance. They do not specify what performance. A number
of them are designed specifically for hangover relief, and a few
diet suppression. The only difference I could find in these
ingredients was more vitamin B12 (in one type 10,000% of the daily
value). Some of the names are 'pure energy, 5-hour energy', 'eternal
energy, 'extra energy', 'Extra strength energy', 'java-mite', 'XX
Energy', 'high energy', 'hangover recovery, 'diet aid', etc.
The majority of the dozen I checked come in little white two
ounce bottles covered with shrink wrap covers. Interesting that so
many have the identical bottle (with the exception of the bottom
indents) and wrapper type regardless of manufacturer. Could find no
common denominator other than that. Prices ranged from as low as
$.88 to $3.98 for the same size. Interesting to note that
one of the most popular and most expensive, 5 hour energy has the
least liquid at 1.93 ounces.
Most sites agreed the biggest reason for the jolt is the large
amount of caffeine, about as much as two cups of coffee in a small
two ounce dose. Studies show they are no better as a pickup than
coffee, although they are concentrated in less liquid as well as
more convenient and quicker to drink. Annual revenues for energy
drinks is about 13 billion dollars.
Bottom line, the caffeine is the kicker, the vitamins go out in the
urine, the other ingredients are for flavor, preservatives, and
color. None have proven to be bad for us, probably due to the trace
amounts contained. None are good for children for the same reasons
as coffee. In spite of a few rantings by the usual fear mongers,
these have yet to be proven unsafe, with the exception of occasional
jitters common to those who do not well tolerate caffeine. In
my case, they seem to work as advertised and do not provide
any physically noticeable high or low.