What are energy drinks?

    Last Updated: January 9, 2024

    Energy drinks and energy shots are food supplements that typically contain sugar, artificial sweeteners, and a stimulant like caffeine, taurine, or guarana (which contains caffeine). However, they usually also contain a large array of other substances including glucuronolactone, carnitine, choline, electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.), and vitamins — vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamins B3, B6, and B12. Consequently, the composition of different energy drinks and shots is highly variable. For example, the caffeine content of an energy drink can range from 45 to 400 milligrams (174±81 milligrams on average),[1][2] while the sugar content can range from 1 to 63 grams (19.9±18.2 grams on average).[1][2]

    Energy drinks and shots are often known by their brand names — 5-hour Energy, Rockstar Energy, Red Bull, etc. — and are marketed to improve focus, increase energy, and reduce feelings of fatigue. Energy drink consumption is popular worldwide,[3][4][5][6][7] especially in teenagers and young adults,[8][9][10][11] and their market is huge: in 2021, the global market for energy drinks was valued at $86 billion.[12]

    Manufacturers focus their advertisement campaigns at people involved in extreme sports, esports, and people engaged in cognitively demanding work, and use brand ambassadors and sponsored athletes to “influence” engagement.[13] However, in the face of their popularity and claimed effects, several scientists and organizations have raised awareness of the potential adverse health effects of energy drinks and shots, claiming that they’re a public health concern.[14][15][16]

    References

    1. ^Jagim AR, Harty PS, Tinsley GM, Kerksick CM, Gonzalez AM, Kreider RB, Arent SM, Jager R, Smith-Ryan AE, Stout JR, Campbell BI, VanDusseldorp T, Antonio JInternational society of sports nutrition position stand: energy drinks and energy shots.J Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2023-Dec)
    2. ^Jagim AR, Harty PS, Barakat AR, Erickson JL, Carvalho V, Khurelbaatar C, Camic CL, Kerksick CMPrevalence and Amounts of Common Ingredients Found in Energy Drinks and Shots.Nutrients.(2022-Jan-13)
    3. ^Puupponen M, Tynjälä J, Tolvanen A, Välimaa R, Paakkari LEnergy Drink Consumption Among Finnish Adolescents: Prevalence, Associated Background Factors, Individual Resources, and Family Factors.Int J Public Health.(2021)
    4. ^Trapp G, Hurworth M, Christian H, Bromberg M, Howard J, McStay C, Ambrosini G, Martin K, Harray A, Cross D, Oddy W, Hammond DPrevalence and pattern of energy drink intake among Australian adolescents.J Hum Nutr Diet.(2021-Apr)
    5. ^Scalese M, Cerrai S, Biagioni S, Benedetti E, Bastiani L, Potente R, Cutilli A, Molinaro STrends in energy drink and combined alcohol and energy drinks consumption among Italian high school students, 2008-2019.Drug Alcohol Depend.(2021-Nov-01)
    6. ^Luo R, Fu R, Dong L, Du Z, Sun W, Zhao M, Du JKnowledge and prevalence of energy drinks consumption in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional survey of adolescents.Gen Psychiatr.(2021)
    7. ^Ahluwalia N, Herrick KCaffeine intake from food and beverage sources and trends among children and adolescents in the United States: review of national quantitative studies from 1999 to 2011.Adv Nutr.(2015-Jan)
    8. ^Protano C, Valeriani F, De Giorgi A, Marotta D, Ubaldi F, Napoli C, Liguori G, Romano Spica V, Vitali M, Gallè FConsumption patterns of energy drinks in university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrition.(2023-Mar)
    9. ^Silva-Maldonado P, Arias-Rico J, Romero-Palencia A, Román-Gutiérrez AD, Ojeda-Ramírez D, Ramírez-Moreno EConsumption Patterns of Energy Drinks in Adolescents and Their Effects on Behavior and Mental Health: A Systematic Review.J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv.(2022-Feb)
    10. ^Visram S, Cheetham M, Riby DM, Crossley SJ, Lake AAConsumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a rapid review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes.BMJ Open.(2016-Oct-08)
    11. ^Khouja C, Kneale D, Brunton G, Raine G, Stansfield C, Sowden A, Sutcliffe K, Thomas JConsumption and effects of caffeinated energy drinks in young people: an overview of systematic reviews and secondary analysis of UK data to inform policy.BMJ Open.(2022-Feb-07)
    12. ^Grand View ResearchEnergy Drinks Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Drinks, Shots, Mixers), By Type (Conventional, Organic), By Packaging (Cans, Bottles), By Distribution Channel, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030.Grand View Research Consumer F&B.(2020)
    13. ^Bleakley A, Ellithorpe ME, Jordan AB, Hennessy M, Stevens RA content analysis of sports and energy drink advertising.Appetite.(2022-Jul-01)
    14. ^Anke Ehlers, Georgios Marakis, Alfonso Lampen, Karen Ildico Hirsch-ErnstRisk assessment of energy drinks with focus on cardiovascular parameters and energy drink consumption in EuropeFood Chem Toxicol.(2019 Aug)
    15. ^Al-Shaar L, Vercammen K, Lu C, Richardson S, Tamez M, Mattei JHealth Effects and Public Health Concerns of Energy Drink Consumption in the United States: A Mini-ReviewFront Public Health.(2017 Aug 31)
    16. ^Breda JJ, Whiting SH, Encarnação R, Norberg S, Jones R, Reinap M, Jewell JEnergy drink consumption in europe: a review of the risks, adverse health effects, and policy options to respond.Front Public Health.(2014)