By Michael Haneline, DC, MPH; Conrad Woolsey, PhD; Claire Johnson, DC, MSEd, PhD; Bart Green, DC, MSEd, PhD
The popularity of energy drinks is on the rise among adolescents and young adults, with consumption rates highest among males 18-34 years of age.1 The energy drink industry is global and generates astonishing revenues, with 2014 sales reaching nearly $50 billion worldwide according to BeverageDaily.com. Energy drink users notice increased cognitive performance, enhanced mood, more physical energy and heightened wakefulness after consuming them, although these effects are temporary and controversial when mixed with alcohol.2-3
On the other hand, there is some evidence pointing to harmful physiological and psychological effects from energy drink consumption.4 For instance, the caffeine mixed with other ingredients may produce symptoms such as insomnia, hyperactivity, rebound anxiety and risk-taking behaviors. A recent randomized, controlled study in which subjects drank an energy drink or caffeinated control, both containing 320 mg of caffeine, found that ECG and blood pressure measurements were significantly worse in those consuming energy drinks.5
Due to the serious nature of this important public health problem, we offer this brief overview for the practicing chiropractor to better inform you and promote discussions with your patients.
1. What Is an "Energy Drink"?
Energy drinks are non-alcoholic beverages containing B vitamins, caffeine in concentrations similar to strong coffee, a variety of herbal ingredients that can have both stimulant and anti-anxiety properties, and often large amounts of sugar. An energy drink typically contains large amounts of caffeine, added sugars, other additives, and stimulants such as guarana, taurine and L-carnitine. These stimulants can increase alertness, attention and energy, as well as increase blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
Although there are hundreds of different types of energy drinks on the market, the top sellers typically include similar contents, with B vitamins, taurine, caffeine, sugar and glucoronolactore the most prominent ingredients.5-6
2. Are Energy Drinks Regulated?
In the United States, energy drink companies, at their discretion, label products as either "beverages" or "dietary supplements." If they choose the "beverages" designation, they are required to abide by the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (NLEA) and label their drinks with conventional Nutrition Facts panels. However, if they designate their products as dietary supplements, they must follow the labeling requirements of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, and the requirements that go with this designation are significantly less stringent than for beverages.
As a result, most energy drink companies have classified their products as dietary supplements, which allows them to bypass the FDA's maximum caffeine limit for beverages (51 mg per 12 ounces). This limit is less than half the amount of caffeine per ounce found in the 10 top-selling energy drinks.
In response to energy drink-related deaths and pressure from lawmakers, most producers now list the main ingredients on each container. These drinks are sold in markets and convenience stores, and advertising promises enhanced performance, often using videos that depict extreme stunts performed by world-class athletes.
To the contrary, there is evidence that athletic performance requiring coordination and fine motor skills may actually be diminished by energy drinks.5-6 In the United States, unfortunately, they are available in every state and there is no age limit to purchase them.
3. What Are the Potential Harms of Energy Drinks?
Sometimes a quick boost of caffeine and sugar may seem helpful in getting through the day, but there are health risks. Adverse effects related to caffeine include tachycardia, arrhythmia, increased blood pressure, anxiety, headache, insomnia, and nausea.7 A number of risky behaviors associated with energy drink consumption have been identified, including risky motor-vehicle behaviors (e.g., failure to wear seat belts, choosing to drive while intoxicated), taking risks on a dare, smoking, binge drinking alcohol, sexual risk taking, and illicit drug abuse.6,8
In addition to risks caused by even infrequent consumption, other risks include combining energy drinks with other substances (e.g., alcohol, opiates or other stimulants) or binge drinking, which can lead to serious health consequences including death (i.e., thousands of emergency room visits per year are a result of binge drinking energy drinks).
A research analysis of 4,854 calls received by the National Poison Data System reported that 0.2 percent was related to energy drink consumption and 46 percent of cases involved children less than 6?years of age. Moderate or major adverse effects included cardiac arrhythmia, seizures, hypertension and hyperthermia.9
Some people may consider the risks of consuming energy drinks acceptable, but the likelihood of experiencing adverse consequences increases as the quantity and frequency of energy drink consumption increases.
4. What Can DCs Do?
As a DC, you can share educational materials with patients who are currently using energy drinks or parents of children, teens and young adults who consume them. Consider posting information in your waiting room, handing out flyers, including resource links (see below) in your emails or social media pages, and/or participating in awareness activities in your community.
Educate patients on healthy options for increasing their energy levels, such as eating a healthy diet that includes omega-3 fats and minimizes sugars; getting a sufficient amount of sleep; regular exercise; and reducing emotional stress.
Many organizations in your community are regularly searching for speakers and would be happy to hear a talk from a doctor of chiropractic. Sharing this information with your community is a public health service that may help reduce harm caused by energy drinks and perhaps even save lives.
5. What Resources Are Available to Educate Patients?
Increasingly, efforts are being initiated to regulate and inform the public about the potential harms and abuses of energy drinks. Consider using the following resources to educate yourself and share with patients:
References
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
