Selma Roth Saudi Gazette Earlier this month, the Council of Ministers made an unheralded decision: It approved several measures to ‘clip the wings' of energy drinks by restricting its promotion, sale, and consumption. Once into effect, the law will prohibit energy drinks companies, their agents, distributors and marketing firms to sponsor any sports, social, or cultural events, or carry out any other activity that leads to their promotion. In addition, the drinks that may boost ones energy in the short term but harm it in the long term will be banned from government canteens and restaurants, educational and health institutions, as well as public and private sports clubs, as will free giveaways to consumers of all age groups be prohibited. Although reinforcement of these laws remains to be seen and one may wonder why energy drinks haven't been banned altogether, the Cabinet sent a clear message: Energy drinks are harmful and should therefore be treated as cigarettes. Yet how dangerous are energy drinks? Is it really necessary to protect the public from these substances? Aren't they just an alternative to coffee to stay awake when work or studies requires us to be alert for long periods of time? Caffeine and sugar Most energy beverages combine caffeine with an enormous amount of sugar — up to 13 teaspoons per can — and a whole list of other ingredients, whose long-term health effects have yet to be studied. Caffeine is a widely used and considered safe substance all over the world. On average, caffeine tolerance varies from 200 to 300 milligram among adults — about two to three 8 ounce cups of coffee a day. The problem with energy drinks is that it is mainly consumed by adolescents and young adults, who may tolerate less caffeine than adults. Most youngsters do not like the bitter taste of coffee or would only have a few cups a day, but the sugary energy beverages are gulped down like water. Caffeine content in energy drinks varies from 80 milligrams in a can of Red Bull to double this amount in a can of Monster, meaning teens will easily exceed the quantity their bodies can put up with. At best, this may lead to restlessness, insomnia, increased heartbeat, and irritability; at worst, it causes high blood pressure, heart palpitations and arrhythmias, nausea, tightness in the chest, seizures, and death. The effects of sugar by itself are widely known. Apart from tooth decay, increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity, the sugar causes blood sugar and insulin spikes that subsequently crash energy levels, making you grab for another can. Hip, cool, and sporty image Energy drinks are often promoted at sports events, where they are marketed as power drinks that improve muscle action and athletic stamina and as part of a healthy lifestyle, and here lies another danger: Together, caffeine and sugar possibly form a fatal duo in combination with sports or athletic performance. First of all, the high doses of sugar can inhibit absorption of fluids and result in dehydration. Caffeine is a diuretic as well, meaning it prompts the body to lose water through urination. Doctors, therefore, suggest to drink a glass of water for every cup of coffee consumed. The sugar and caffeine in combination with heavy sweating during (prolonged) physical exercise can lead to severe dehydration. Secondly, energy beverages can give rise to serious cardiac accidents in consumers with common genetic predispositions that frequently go undiagnosed, France's public health agency ANSES announced in October last year. In fact, several cases of athletes dying from the consumption of energy drinks have been reported in the media in Europe and the US. Impressive ingredient lists But this is not all. Energy drinks often contain a long list of other ingredients that consumers may never have heard of. They include taurine, guarana, B vitamins, inositol, ginseng, glucuronolactone, artificial sweeteners, ginko biloba, L-carnitine, and L-theanine. Let's have a look at the ingredients most commonly found in energy drinks. Taurine: This is an organic acid naturally produced in animal tissues and helps regulate heartbeat, muscle contractions, and energy levels. Intake occurs naturally in food, mostly seafood and meat. In one study, taurine intake among humans was estimated at less than 200 milligrams a day. One can of Red Bull, however, contains five times as much! It was banned for a while in some countries because of its perceived dangers, but subsequent studies eased these worries, and now it is generally thought that the amount in energy drinks is too low to produce any therapeutic benefits or potential side effects. B vitamins: B vitamins help the body convert food to energy and are naturally found in the foods we eat. Whether they increase energy levels when taken as a supplement remains unclear, but people, unless on a restrictive diet, get enough of these vitamins naturally through their diet. Studies show that more than 35 mg of niacin (vitamin B3) can cause flushing of the skin, while intake of 3,000 mg or more can lead to liver toxicity. More than 100 mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride (B6) can cause sensory nerve problems or skin lesions. However, the latter and vitamin B12 (cianocobalamin), often found in energy drinks, don't absorb well when taken orally, so the amounts found are unlikely to have any effects on the body. Two cans of Red Bull, on the other hand, does already contain 40 mg of niacin and could thus lead to the abovementioned side effect. Ginseng: A natural herb believed to increase energy, have some anti-fatigue properties and improve memory, ginseng has been used for centuries in countries like Korea and China. While some studies have linked it to insomnia, this has been disputed. Other side effects are low or high blood pressure, palpitations, tachycardia (abnormally rapid heart rate), headaches, diarrhea, and nauseas. When mixed with antidepressants, ginseng may lead to induction of mania in depressed patients. The amount found in energy drinks, however, is unlikely to induce any effect. Glucuronolactone: This component is a natural chemical produced when glucose is broken down by the liver. It is believed to aid in detoxification, freeing hormones and other chemicals, and the biosynthesis of vitamin C. While there is still debate on its safety, most countries have concluded that regular exposure to glucuronolactone from regular consumption of energy drinks does not pose any risk. Guarana: The guarana plant, native to South America, is mostly known for its seed, which is about the size of a coffee bean but contains twice as much caffeine. It has been used for a long time by indigenous populations to increase alertness and energy. Side effects are similar to those for caffeine. Artificial sweeteners: Most sugar-free versions of energy drinks contain artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame. Governmental regulatory bodies have found aspartame is safe for consumption at current levels, but some studies show that people consuming artificial sweeteners have bigger waistlines or an increased risk of cancer. The problem with scientific research is that none studied the long-term health effects, and so the debate on their safety continues. L-theanine: This amino acid is derived from green tea and believed to help calm the brain, improve concentration, and boost mood and cognitive performance. Studies have shown that repeated high doses of this acid cause little to no harmful psychological or physical effects. It is becoming increasingly popular in energy drinks, as manufacturers say it counteracts some of the side effects of caffeine, but this remains to be proven. Bottom line While most ingredients in energy drinks appear to be safe, it is the combination and long term effects that have yet to be studied. For healthy people drinking moderate amounts, these so-called power boosters are unlikely to cause any serious side effects, although a cup of tea or coffee would be a safer — and less caloric! — way to increase energy levels. The problem with energy drinks is that they are often consumed in large quantities and by teenagers, who may be more susceptible to the substances found in them. Another issue is that it is often difficult to determine which ingredient has caused health complications in case they arise. Consuming large amounts of energy drinks on a regular basis may also lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms such as headache, drowsiness and irritability. While it is best to skip the supermarket's soda aisle altogether, if you cannot live without the energy burst limit your consumption to one 8-ounce glass a day and teach your children about the negative health effects.
