Caffeine Amounts Not Regulated in Energy Drinks

What are you drinking? It might seem harmless, but that energy drink for an all-night study session or an evening out with friends might not be the best idea.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the amount of caffeine in added energy drinks, posing a potentially hazardous health condition for those consuming the beverages.

Let's take a look at an example. For starters, we're all familiar with the popular beverage Monster Energy Drink. Known for its high doses of caffeine and sugar, the drink was recently investigated for causing five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack according to The Associated Press.

Checking the label, we see that the 24-ounce can contains a whopping dose of 240 milligrams of caffeine. That's seven times the amount found in a regular 12-ounce can of soda.

Other deaths related to drinks with high percentages of caffeine have jumped over the years with the increase for energy drinks in the market, turning a concern to the safety of the products. Studies outlining recent evidence regarding the content, benefits and risks of the beverages are forming to help determine solutions for the future if consumers are going to continue taking part in the high energy drinks. 

A study published in the journal Pediatrics reported that more teens are downing energy drinks. In 2003, it stated that 16 percent regularly consumed the drinks. In 2008, that number jumped to more than double, at 35 percent. A study of college student consumption has even found that approximately 50 percent of students drank between one and four energy drinks a month.

The high amount of sugar and caffeine could also cause consumers to be at a greater risk for problems such as obesity, dental problems and heart and problems, as well as other health issues.

Besides sugar and caffeine, according to the FDA, many energy drinks are also found to contain Guarana, a Brazilian cocoa similar to caffeine, Taurine, a common amino acid found in the body, Ginseng, and B-Vitamins. And though it doesn't look like these drinks are going anywhere right now, it might be good to stay away from them...or at least consume less.