The claimed health effects of ingredients like taurine, guarana, glucoronolactone and ginseng have not been sufficiently scientifically substantiated and more research is needed. Other commonly-used ingredients include: Guarana, a plant containing caffeine that comes from South America Ginseng, a herb which has been suggested to improve mental and physical performance, and B vitamins, which help regulate metabolism, and may contribute to the maintenance of mental function.It is sometimes added to energy drinks due to claims of its ‘performance enhancing’ properties. Glucuronolactone: a chemical produced naturally by the human body and present as part of the structural component of connective tissues.
#TAURINE IN ENERGY DRINKS FREE#
Sugar free products are available for most brands. Sugars are a source of energy, and therefore energy drinks should be consumed in moderation, in the context of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Sugar: Energy drinks generally contain glucose or sucrose (table sugar).It is often included in energy drinks because some studies have suggested that it may improve athletic performance. Taurine: an amino acid naturally present in the human body that can also be found at low levels in food, particularly meat and fish.What other ingredients are found in energy drinks and why are they added? The most commonly found ingredients in energy drinks are: A bar of plain chocolate (50 g) – 25 mgįor further information on caffeine and its effects on the body, please see EUFIC’s article on ‘Caffeine and Health’. Coffee (filter, one cup, 200 ml) - 90 mg Standard can of energy drink (250 ml) – 80 mg Typical amounts of caffeine found in food and drink products are: Due to individual physiological differences and tolerance levels from prior exposure, some people are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, and should lower their caffeine intake accordingly. High doses of caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and seizures. As well as being a stimulant and decreasing fatigue, caffeine also increases the heart rate and raises blood pressure. Pregnant women are advised to consume a maximum of 200 mg caffeine per day. They concluded that it is safe for an adult to consume up to 200 mg of caffeine in a single serving and up to 400 mg of caffeine per day on a regular basis (See EUFIC’s article on “EFSA opinion on the safety of caffeine”). In 2015 the European Food Safety Authority published their Scientific Opinion on Safety of Caffeine. Is there an upper limit for the amount of caffeine that is healthy to drink each day and what are the main effects of caffeine? Energy drinks which contain over 150 mg of caffeine per litre must be clearly labelled as having ‘high caffeine content’. The caffeine content in most energy drinks ranges from about 80 mg (roughly the same as a mug of instant coffee) to about 150 mg per serving. How much caffeine do energy drinks contain? The name ‘energy’ drink can be misleading as they only give consumers a perceived sense of energy and do not typically contain any more energy (i.e. They typically contain caffeine and sugar, and often other additional ingredients such as taurine, B vitamins and plant extracts (e.g. “As a result, emergency room visits by young people in connection with energy drinks are rising.”Īny research that compares the effects of consuming energy drinks versus caffeine alone provides important evidence for public health advocates who have urged the energy drink companies to stop targeting youth with these potentially harmful products, Harris added.‘Energy’ drinks have no specific regulatory definition, but are generally classified as drinks which aim to aid mental and physical stimulation and give an increased sense of alertness. “On top of that, energy drinks are highly marketed to adolescent boys in ways that encourage risky behavior, including rapid and excessive consumption,” she said. Some of these ingredients (including taurine and guarana) have not been FDA-approved as safe in the food supply, and few studies have tested the effects of caffeine consumption together with these ‘novelty’ ingredients,” she said by email. “However, energy drinks also contain a proprietary ‘energy blend,’ which typically consists of stimulants and other additives. Harris from University of Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity in Storrs, who wasn’t involved in the study. "The energy drink industry claims that their products are safe because they have no more caffeine than a premium coffee house coffee,” said Dr.
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