Energy drinks are fast becoming the most popular choice of beverage amongst sportsmen and women both young and old. Your average grocery store has at least six attractively- designed energy drink variants all displaying captivating slogans claiming to give you wings, wanting you to unleash the beast and telling you to party like a rock star.
Through media exposure of these energy drinks, whether it be seeing top athletes using these products in advertising campaigns or through the sponsorship of large sporting events, it has become trendy to be seen using these energy drinks be it on the sports field or even in the night clubs and malls, and what’s worse is how the many young individuals drink these drinks as if they were any ordinary cold drink.
Very little information is given about the possible side effects and adverse reactions these products may cause. Although manufacturers provide nutritional information a very small percentage of the general public are able to accurately interpret.
The most commonly found ingredients in these energy drinks include:
Taurine: A non-essential amino acid that is produced naturally by the human body and found in both meat and fish. In humans, taurine is synthesised in the liver and functions during periods of exercise. During intense physical exercise it is depleted and the body is not able to produce sufficient amounts to sustain physical activity. Energy drinks are beneficial in such circumstances, providing the body with a direct source of taurine.
Caffeine: is a stimulant that has been shown to have various effects on metabolism, stimulating the central nervous system giving you a boost of energy or improve mental alertness and functioning including reaction times. It also promotes the use of fat as a source of energy
B-group vitamins: This group of vitamins is responsible for mental and physical vitality. They play an important role in energy metabolism by aiding in the building-up and breaking-down of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, the latter process is responsible for energy release during exercise.
However, despite these energy enhancing ingredients, the majority of the “energy kick” is due to excessive amounts of sugar present.
The majority of commercial energy drinks state that consumption is not recommended for children under the age of 16. The primary health risk associated with these beverages is increased heart rate due to the large amounts of caffeine in these drinks. A normal can of cold drink may contain between 25-40 milligrams of caffeine, whilst energy drinks contain up to 80 milligrams per 250ml can. This high concentration of caffeine results in an accelerated heart rate far above normal levels. A child’s heart may not be able to cope with this increased rate and possible irregular rhythm which can result in cardiac arrest.
There are various other sports drinks on the market such as Energade (which even has a junior range now), Powerade and Game that are better suited to younger consumers. These are isotonic drinks which contain similar amounts of sugar and salt as the human body.
They are absorbed into the body at a similar rate as water and are able to replace electrolytes and rehydrate, which is a safer alternative for both children and adults.
The elevated sugar content in these energy drinks usually results in a sugar high. Unfortunately this high is often short lived and ‘coming-down’ may leave athletes feeling worse than before. In addition it is known that excess sugar not utilised by the body is converted to fat which may result in weight-gain.
The high concentrations of caffeine and sugar can also lead to dehydration. Individuals may not feel they are becoming dehydrated whilst on their energy buzz and will only become aware of this detrimental situation at a later stage. Caffeine is a known diuretic and will rapidly lead to dehydration, which is why many manufacturers recommended drinking water alongside the energy drinks.
The National Federation of State High Schools Association in the USA released the following with regard to the use of energy drinks amongst the youth:
1. Water and appropriate sports drinks should be used for rehydration to minimize the risk for Dehydration and Heat Illness.
2. Energy drinks should not be used for hydration. Nor should they be used for performance enhancement
3. Information about the absence of benefit and the presence of potential risk associated with energy drinks should be widely shared among all individuals who interact with young athletes.
4. Energy drinks should not be consumed by athletes who are dehydrated.
5. Energy drinks should not be consumed without prior medical approval, by athletes taking over the counter or prescription medications.
Science has proven that these drinks do provide increased mental and physical energy, however the negative side-effects of these quick-fixes cannot be ignored. These drinks should function purely as energy supplements at times of exertion and the RDA listed on the products should be followed.
So coaches, parents and sport clubs think twice before recommending these energy drinks to your athletes and specifically to junior athletes.
Wade Botha
Bachelor of Sport Science
(HONS- Exercise Science)
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