Our on-the-go culture has made highly-caffeinated energy drinks a billion-dollar industry, but a recent spike in deaths allegedly caused by the beverage giant Monster has caught the attention of the FDA and consumers nationwide. While some energy drinks users are concerned about the potential health risks they pose, other loyal customers say it's no big deal.
The Energy Drug
It was 3 a.m. and frazzled college senior Lauren Taylor was pulling an all-nighter. An avid consumer of highly-caffeinated energy drinks, she had already guzzled six of the fizzy beverages to keep her alert and focused to cram for her history final the next morning.
About four hours into studying, Taylor began to feel ill. "I had the shakes, a weird heartbeat, hallucinations, dizziness and nausea," she said, her dark eyes widening. "I actually thought I was crazy."
Taylor had been drinking Red Bull, which contains 80 mg of caffeine, about the same as a cup of coffee. However, other ingredients such as glucuronolactone, taurine, and sugar can increase its effects - especially when consumed in such large amounts.
In an increasingly task-oriented culture, young people with fast-paced schedules of both school and work have boosted energy drinks into a $9 billion industry. These electrifying beverages, some filled with copious amounts of caffeine and other stamina-spiking substances, provide the fuel many on-the-go consumers need to get through the day.
However, energy drinks have come under fire recently with a lawsuit filed against the beverage giant Monster, blaming the potent pick-me-up for a fourteen-year old girl's death. Anais Fourier died of caffeine toxicity after drinking only two 24 oz. Monster energy drinks in two days.
Monster drinks, which contain about 160 mg of caffeine per 12 oz. can, have been linked to four other deaths and one non-fatal heart attack since 2004. In 2009, the U.S. Drug Abuse Warning Network reported a drastic spike in energy drink-related visits to the emergency room-10 times more than in 2005. While many of these visits were related to combining the beverages with alcohol, 56 percent of the cases were due to the energy drinks alone.
Since energy drinks are considered "nutritional supplements" and not food products, their caffeine content is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, unlike soft drinks such as Pepsi. However, now that the FDA is investigating these death reports, including the possible fatal effect of Monster on young Fournier, that could all change.
John Jacobi, a thirty-year old Red Bull user, disagrees with the flack energy drinks are getting, and believes that discretion is up to the consumer.
"I drink Red Bull on Sundays before I play softball," he said. "It's not as bloating as coffee and it wakes me up from drinking the night before. I drink the small can."
However, there are currently no age requirements to purchase energy drinks or regulations limiting its use among minors. An American Academy of Pediatrics study concluded that energy drinks are very harmful to children and young adults. While adults can handle caffeine consumption in moderation, heavy caffeine use among teens can be very dangerous. Half of energy drink users fall into the "young adult" demographic and adolescents with ailments such as underlying heart conditions, diabetes, or behavioral disorders may be particularly susceptible. Fourteen year-old Fournier had an unknown heart condition that may have contributed to her death.
However, many teens do not worry about energy drinks' effect on their health. Rachel Elner, a 19-year old waitress, admits to drinking up to five energy drinks a night since she was in high school. Now a college student, she is juggling her arduous late-night shifts at the diner in addition to her course-load. She is often in dire need of a jolt.
"I adore Monsters and Red Bull," she laughed. "A lot of things are bad for you. I smoke, too. Energy drinks wake me up, keep me focused, and keep me productive. I haven't had any negative effects aside from a little crashing at night."
Elner particularly advocates 5-Hour Energy.
"You can drink them in just a few sips and they perk you up for hours," she said.
The 5-hour energy shot is different from an energy drink because it is 50 mL dose of herbal energizers, vitamins, and contains as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. It is free of sugar and carbs, and is advertised as a healthier and safer alternative than a typical energy-infused beverage. However, its effects can be just as powerful.
Nicholas Arrigada, a 28-year-old bartender, was driving through the night to Tennessee from New Jersey, and downed four of the shots to stay sharp behind the wheel. When he arrived at his destination, he stepped through the door of his hotel and checked in.
As Arrigada attempted to sign his name, he realized something disconcerting.
"I had zero fine motor skills," he said. "I couldn't sign my name to check into a hotel. It came out all jagged."
While that was the only time Arrigada recalled consuming such a large amount of any energy beverage, he said he has drank many of them, from "Red Bull to Spike."
"I've had workout energy drinks too," he said. "Most of them have a speed-like euphoria to them from my experience...the caffeine drinks all have side effects like jitters or impulsiveness."
Arrigada recognizes their dangers, but he is unsure if he believes stringent limitations should be placed on the drinks.
"I'm not sure that there should be more regulations, but I would definitely say that warning labels should be provided," he said. "Abuse is easy and there is a noticeable high that presents room for abuse. Tolerance to caffeine could also lead to greater dependency."
Taylor also admits to still consuming energy drinks, but said she only indulges about once a month after her harrowing study-session scare. She said the possible connection between energy drinks and sudden death doesn't surprise her.
"That much of any chemical substance can be harmful," she said.
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