certain vitamins, minerals and other bioactive compounds;
sometimes plant extracts.
They are usually promoted as products that boost energy and attention.
Energy drinks are not the same as other caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and tea, due to:
their generally large size;
their sweet, non-bitter taste, which means they can be consumed quickly and in large amounts.
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High caffeine content
The amount of caffeine in energy drinks varies depending on the product. In general, a can contains between 50 and 180 mg of caffeine. For comparison, a cup of filter coffee contains about 100 to 140 mg of caffeine.
Caffeine limits recommended by Health Canada are:
adults: 400 mg per day;
children and young people under 18 years of age: 2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight.
For example, a teenager who weighs 50 kg (about 110 pounds) should not consume more 125 mg of caffeine per day.
This means the caffeine content of a single can of energy drink can exceed the maximum amount recommended for children and teenagers.
Health risks
Having more caffeine than recommended can have adverse effects such as:
insomnia,
headaches;
irritability, nervousness, anxiety;
abnormally fast heart rate;
dehydration;
dependence.
Energy drinks usually contain a lot of sugar too. Excessive sugar consumption is associated with many health problems, such as tooth decay and type 2 diabetes.
A few cases of serious side effects, even death, have been associated with the consumption of energy drinks. So their consumption is not without risk.
Some medications or health conditions can increase the risks associated with energy drinks. Talk to a health professional for appropriate advice.
Consumption recommendations
For healthy adults, occasional and moderate consumption of energy drinks appears to pose few risks.
Energy drinks are not recommended for:
people who are pregnant or breastfeeding;
children;
teenagers;
people who are sensitive to caffeine.
On the front of their packaging, energy drinks have:
a “Supplemented with” section listing the type and amount of each supplemental ingredient, such as caffeine;
an identifier with an exclamation mark and the words “Supplemented” and “Health Canada” on the front. The identifier will prompt you to read cautions written on the back or side of the product.
Energy drinks and sports drinks are often confused, but they do not have the same purpose.
Energy drinks: they should not be consumed before, during or immediately after physical activity. Consuming energy drinks when doing physical activity can impair rehydration, lead to gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, bloating, diarrhea) and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Sports drinks: they generally do not contain caffeine. They are designed to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes lost during exercise. They are suitable for intense and prolonged physical activities.
Energy drinks and alcohol
Energy drinks should not be mixed with alcohol. This mix can:
increase the risk of drinking more alcohol;
mask the feeling of drunkenness or fatigue associated with drinking alcohol;
lead to a false sense of security and an underestimation of risks;
increase the adoption of problematic or risky behaviours (risky sexual behaviours, driving while impaired, etc.);